1. < Women's Health

vulva issues

Posted by unknownclock58 @unknownclock58, Feb 19 9:55pm

For the past 9 months I have been dealing with a persistent ulcer that recurs with some regularity. It seems to happen if I wear jeans or some pants that cut into my crotch, or I scratch my crotch (yes it itches a lot)
I am post menopausal age 65 and never had problems like this before. The ulcer will clear up usually after about 7-10 days then will pop up again after a week or so. The itching though never really stops. It's driving me crazy! I've tried every ointment from diaper rash (which works best when the ulcer first appears) When the ulcer is basically like a water blister it hurts a lot when I use the bathroom! To the point that i have to keep water streaming on it or keep a cool washcloth nearby. I have searched the entire web for this and it seems to be one of 4 things, Herpes, lichen sclerosis, or vaginal atrophy, or worse cancer.
Anyone else have this happen or any experience with this, any help is appreciated!

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Oct 14 8:16am
In reply to @suzii "Thanks for sharing! I also have adverse reactions to OTC creams. I get my estrogen cream..." + (show)
@suzii

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!

Jump to this post

@suzii
Seeing Estring is a vaginal ring that is inserted, not sure how you would be able to test for reaction prior to use.

You might want to check out this discussion about Estring. It is discussing use of Estring instead of estrogen creams due to reactions.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/estring-vaginal-ring-to-provide-estrogen-replacement-therapy/

REPLY
gardeningjunkie | @gardeningjunkie | Oct 14 8:30am
In reply to @suzii "Thanks for sharing! I also have adverse reactions to OTC creams. I get my estrogen cream..." + (show)
@suzii

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!

Jump to this post

I use the inside the elbow test for a few days before applying a new product, but as you are aware that won't work with Estring,

The information packet inside the Estring box reads:
What are the ingredients in Estring?
Estring (estradiol vaginal system) is a slightly opaque ring with a whitish core containing a drug reservoir of 2 mg estradiol (an estrogen hormone). Estradiol, silicone polymers barium sulfate and silicone fluid (as dispersing agent) are combined to form the ring.
1 vaginal system ring of 2 mg estradiol delivers 7.5 mcg of estradiol per day for 90 days.

REPLY
1 reply
gigipatula | @gigipatula | Oct 24 4:16pm
In reply to @gardeningjunkie "I use the inside the elbow test for a few days before applying a new product,..." + (show)
@gardeningjunkie

I use the inside the elbow test for a few days before applying a new product, but as you are aware that won't work with Estring,

The information packet inside the Estring box reads:
What are the ingredients in Estring?
Estring (estradiol vaginal system) is a slightly opaque ring with a whitish core containing a drug reservoir of 2 mg estradiol (an estrogen hormone). Estradiol, silicone polymers barium sulfate and silicone fluid (as dispersing agent) are combined to form the ring.
1 vaginal system ring of 2 mg estradiol delivers 7.5 mcg of estradiol per day for 90 days.

Jump to this post

It's been a while but I wanted to update this. Since having cured the chronic yeast infection and was still left with vaginal atrophy. I found the women's probiotic and also Good Clean Love vaginal moisturizer seems to work wonders for me. I tried and Hylauronic Acid but I had a reaction to it that was not good. So this combo of probiotic and this particular moisturizer has been a Godsend I can wear jeans again and not be in agony and for some reason the probiotic seemed to also help with some very light bladder leakage, because it's gone!

REPLY
1 reply
rashida | @rashida | Oct 26 7:40am
In reply to @gigipatula "It's been a while but I wanted to update this. Since having cured the chronic yeast..." + (show)
@gigipatula

It's been a while but I wanted to update this. Since having cured the chronic yeast infection and was still left with vaginal atrophy. I found the women's probiotic and also Good Clean Love vaginal moisturizer seems to work wonders for me. I tried and Hylauronic Acid but I had a reaction to it that was not good. So this combo of probiotic and this particular moisturizer has been a Godsend I can wear jeans again and not be in agony and for some reason the probiotic seemed to also help with some very light bladder leakage, because it's gone!

Jump to this post

@gigipatula what is the name of the probiotic, and where do you get it from?

REPLY
gigipatula | @gigipatula | Oct 26 8:00am

@rashida, here is the whole name, ingredients, etc from Amazon

Renew Life Women's Probiotic Capsules, Supports pH Balance for Women, Vaginal, Urinary, Digestive and Immune Health, L. Rhamnosus GG, Dairy, Soy and Gluten-Free, 25 Billion CFU - 30 Ct
I really was shocked at how much it helped me with the whole itching, burning, and no UTI's now or yeast infections and the bonus was was the slight bladder leakage I was having!

Seems like it's the lowest price on Amazon but most vitamin outlets also carry it. I think this months supply was $17.64 with subscribe and save.

Hope that helps!

REPLY
1 reply
rashida | @rashida | Oct 27 5:47pm
In reply to @gigipatula "@rashida, here is the whole name, ingredients, etc from Amazon Renew Life Women's Probiotic Capsules, Supports..." + (show)
@gigipatula

@rashida, here is the whole name, ingredients, etc from Amazon

Renew Life Women's Probiotic Capsules, Supports pH Balance for Women, Vaginal, Urinary, Digestive and Immune Health, L. Rhamnosus GG, Dairy, Soy and Gluten-Free, 25 Billion CFU - 30 Ct
I really was shocked at how much it helped me with the whole itching, burning, and no UTI's now or yeast infections and the bonus was was the slight bladder leakage I was having!

Seems like it's the lowest price on Amazon but most vitamin outlets also carry it. I think this months supply was $17.64 with subscribe and save.

Hope that helps!

Jump to this post

Thank you, @gigipatula! I will check this out.

REPLY
sueb4bs | @sueb4bs | Nov 3 2:06pm

It sounds like lichen sclerosis.. Your gyn should dx it. I have it and it flares only when I am under serious stress that persists.. So review your itchy and all your other symptoms with hour gyn. She may even do a biopsy... as I had. Good luck.. when I reduced my stress levels, much of the LS disappeared within a few months. Good luck.

REPLY
1 reply
gigipatula | @gigipatula | Nov 7 9:07am
In reply to @sueb4bs "It sounds like lichen sclerosis.. Your gyn should dx it. I have it and it flares..." + (show)
@sueb4bs

It sounds like lichen sclerosis.. Your gyn should dx it. I have it and it flares only when I am under serious stress that persists.. So review your itchy and all your other symptoms with hour gyn. She may even do a biopsy... as I had. Good luck.. when I reduced my stress levels, much of the LS disappeared within a few months. Good luck.

Jump to this post

When I saw my Dr. in August she said it was not Lichen sclerosis. Between the probiotic and the lubricant my girl parts are quite happy. It's such a relief! I think as you age you just have to be really careful what you use on and in your feminine areas. Who would think I would have a reaction to Hyaluronic acid but I did and even soaps, I can only use PH balanced soaps.

REPLY
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