How I cured my Provoked Vestibulodynia

I have posted this a couple of times on here because I am trying to reach other as many other women with my condition as I can. Skip to the last paragraph of you don't want to hear my history. Here is my story of relief after 6+ years of pain.

I have had Provoked Vestibulodynia (Also known as VVS) since I was at least 12. I first became aware of pain during my first attempts to insert a tampon. I experienced pain upon even the slightest provocation to the back of the opening of my vagina. The pain I experienced was a severe hot burning/stabbing pain that subsided mostly after pressure was removed but would still linger for up to an hour after. The only immediate relief I found was to douse the area with ice cold water from the shower. I had always experienced painful period because the excess moisture caused chaffing, exacerbating the condition.

Since bringing the issue to my GP and being referred to a Gynecologist, I have had countless yeast swabs performed, test for various infections done, and creams and vaginal suppositories prescribed. I tried going on hormonal birth control, and off again. I tried switching feminine hygiene products. Neither my Gyno nor my GP had been able to provide me with any relief. I had never had penetrative sexual intercourse because I knew that the pain I would experience upon penetration would be unbearable. I was starting to look into multi disciplinary programs and options such as surgery (vestibulectomy), though if found some of the treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, hard to swallow. Being treated psychologically  for a physical symptom seemed as though my pain was not being sufficiently recognized.

Here’s the good part;

Then I happened upon a blog of a woman who had very similar experience to mine (see link below). She stated that, after switching unassumingly to completely all-natural shampoos, conditioners, body washes, etc. that her pain had finally been relieved. She was able to have pain free intercourse. I have always had a bit of mild eczema on and off, and I am quite sensitive to body lotions. I had been using an Aveeno Skin Relief body wash, regular shampoo and conditioner and I believe Dove bar soap. Given my history with failed treatment, I felt as though I didn’t have anything to lose. I switch my products to completely all natural, and within a month I noticed about a 50-60% pain reduction. At the same time I also switched my laundry soap to an all-natural brand. About 3 months after the switch, I saw a private MD that prescribed an HRT Estriol compound that I apply locally three times a week (Estriol helps to repair vaginal tissue). My pharmacist was able to compound it in coconut oil, as to a regular cream base to insure that it didn’t irritate my skin. It has been about 5 months since I first switched my bath products and the pain is about 90% gone. For good measure, I also use natural cotton feminine hygiene products, though I had been using them before my irritation subsided and it didn’t seem to improve the condition. In conclusions, I believe my PVD was caused by an allergic reaction to the sulfates in the bath products that were making contact with the irritated the glands in the area.

Here is the link to the blog that I gained my information from:

http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Have-Vulvar-Vestibulitis-Syndrome/1324024

I hope my story can help other women and girls. Best of luck to you! Let me know if you have any questions!

I read this and it gave me hope!
I ordered the shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, bar soap, and I'm looking at getting a laundry detergent. I will try anything, and I'm more of a home-remedy kind of person. I don't really like all the medicines because it seems like the doctors are just guessing.
But I haven't been to the specialist until this week, any suggestion on what medicine I should ask him about? I'm going to tell him about Dr. Bronner's products.

How are things going for you? Well the estriol compound is is a bio-identical hormone, so it is the same as what your body would produce. The most natural option. Right now I am actually using and pharmaceutical cream called Estragyn that I apply twice a day and that seems to be working quite well.

could you please let me know what shampoos and soap you use? i'm having problems even with some all natural products :/

Thanks!

Yes please! Could you let us know what products you use?

elednor wrote:could you please let me know what shampoos and soap you use? i'm having problems even with some all natural products :/

Thanks!

Sorry I haven't been on in a long while. As for products, selection varies upon location I suppose but here's a list of what I currently use;

Carina Organics Shampoo/Conditioner
Chorus Global Shampoo/Conditioner
Mountain Sky Soaps
Dr. Bronners Castille Bar Soap
Burt's Bees Apricot Face Scrub
Nellie's All Natural Washing Soda
Naty Feminine Hygiene Products

All this I find at my local health food store. READ THE LABLES on everything. I don't let anything touch my body that hasn't been reviewed carefully! Watch out for sulphates etc. in your hair styling products too.