vulva issues

@alju - Believe me...stoicism is not one of my traits! Especially when it comes to injections!
🤸‍♀️
But, it is so important to check these things, and having a compassionate / supportive / well-informed Gynecologist really, really helps.

I wish that for you! "Onward!" as I say, when I have the energy!!! 🤸‍♀️🙏🎈

So, I saw my Dr. today and she said it's an external yeast infection and I will be on Diflucan (oral pill) for 6 weeks once a week. This was a massive relief to me that it was not something else. She also asked if used Dove soap and about 3 months ago I switched to Dove because I thought it would be better and she said, something they are putting in that soap that is causing some women to have issues. She suggested me using Summers Eve Sensitive Skin intimate wash. She said to thoroughly dry the vulva after my shower and then apply Aquaphor. I am happy that it's not some crazy vaginal/vulva atrophy because I really need to not take estrogen with my history of breast cancer.
Fingers crossed this works!

I go back to my Dr. on Monday, and this treatment of Diflucan has worked I had one issue about halfway through but that was it. I also started taking a women's probiotic and not sure but since I started it no more problems other than a "normal" post menopause dryness. I got some PH strips and my PH was really high and after starting the probiotic now is actually really good for my age 5.0 so I think this may be over...at least I'm hoping it is. See what the Dr. says on Monday 🙂

@gigipatula what is the name of the women’s probiotic that you are taking?

It's called Renew Life Women's Wellness, Womens care probiotic. I got it on Amazon. Hope that helps!

I did not have the sores unknownclock 58 brought up but dealt with burning, red and swollen vulva for years.
Diflucan would help, but always the pain and misery returned. Rarely did I even test positve to a yeast infection with a swab.
Two things I did stopped this!
1. I read, The Yeast Connection Handbook, by William Crooke MD. It's a brutal 2-3 month detox diet (I did 3 months because my symtoms for the first time without meds were minimized). After that moderate diet maintenace plan. The initial detox straves out the yeast to kill them off and the maintanence plant controsl the yeast colonies which all of us have living in our intestines. We'll never get totally rid of them, but moderate amounts are no issue for me evidenty. A must read book. You can buy this quick and simple and inexpensive paperback on the internet. Now 6 years later I am still true to the zero processed sugar for life but have learned I can eat several servings of natural sugar in fruit and gluten daily.
2. At my age, now 75 and went though menopause at 50 and doctors stopped my hormones at about age 60 I needed estrogen to help my vaginal tissue rebuild caused by aging without hormones. I cannot tolerate estrogen creams because of the inactive ingredients which I am allergic to. I have Allergic Contact Dermatitis. I use a localized very expensive estrogen product, Estring, which is personally inserted vaginally in the upper 1/3 of the vaginal vault. It stays in place, but needs checking ocasionally, just push back up with finger while in the shower. It's resestored my secretions and thickened the vaginal tissues. Intercourse is comfortable again.
Today I don't have a memory of the burning tissues and painful intercourse.
We women need to keep searching and educating themselves. Go to several gynocologists I did. Some were absolutely zero help telling me nothing was wrong- well they didn't feel what I did! I found 2 that helped me and I am so grateful.

Update-Went back to the Dr. today, and all clear!!!! She did say though that I still have vaginal atrophy and that I should give the Hyaluronic acid another try. She recommended Revaree so I am going to wait a bit before I try it. She did say to continue to put the Aquaphor ointment on the small areas of irritation to protect them, but they look remarkably better. And actually I may just continue to put Aquaphor around the vulva just because it needs the moisture and protection. Our faces need face creams etc. maybe we should treat our Vulva's with the same attention 🙂 Hope some of this helps someone else out there, dont' suffer in silence like I did!

I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosis. GYN prescribed clobetasol. It has worked very well.

Thanks for sharing! I also have adverse reactions to OTC creams. I get my estrogen cream from a compounding pharmacy with a different base. It works well on my arm, but unfortunately, it always causes a yeast infection when used vaginally.
I want to try Estring for atrophy. Have you heard of a way to test this for reaction before inserting? (Test on inner arm, etc?)
I did write to Pfizer, but many of their inquiries are not returned.
TIA for your thoughts!

I've been using the Estring now for at least 2 years, maybe 3. It's been a miracle. It did take about 6 months for the intercourse to be totally pain free. The gynocolgist told me it takes time for the time released estrogen in the Estring to rebuild the lining on the uterus which thins and dries out from lack of hormones. Today zero and yes I mean zero pain during intercourse or throughout the day. At my husbands it's not uncommon to need extra help to be virile. He is now on testoserone and also uses an injectable to make his interested but not quite hard enough penis stiff enough for penetation. He's thrilled the testoserone has helped him physically and mentally. We have pleasurable intercourse about once week now. A slow down from our first years being married at 20 for me and 21 for him. But I'll be 76 in a few weeks and he's 77 it's so appreciated and treasured and it feels just as good as it did 55 years ago.