Vaginal Problems - Dryness and Pain

Sisters,

I subscribe to HealthCentral and in todays issue (Dec.27) it had about natural and surgical menapouse. I am one week shy of six months after surgery. I am due for a six month checkup with my primery gyn Jan 9th. About three weeks ago my DH and I tried to have sex. The forplay was great, but when it came time for him to put it in, it was painful. Between getting ready for Christmas and him not feeling well, we have not tried again. On our next attempt we will try lubracation.

The article in todays issue of HealthCentral stated two things that could help you sisters out there that are experiencing the same thing. The first being Kegel exercises. I had to do this after having my son 19 years ago. I had forgotten all about this exercise, and didn't know this still applied. This is a pelvic muscle strengthening exercise. This exercise was originally developed as a method of controlling incontinence in women following childbirth. This exercise is now recommended for women with urinary stress incontince. The principle behind the Kegel exercise is to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor.

The second topic is Atrophic Vaginitis which is an inflammation or irritation of the vagina caused by the thinning and shrinking of the tissue of the vagina and decreased lubrication of the vaginal walls. This is due to a lack of estrogen. Prevention: The Kegel exercise which works the pubococcygeus musle (pelvic floor muscle), will help maintain the muscle tone of the vaginal canal.

Symptoms:

Vaginal soreness--may be an itching or burning sensation.
Slight vaginal discharge.
Burning on urination.
Light bleeding after intercourse.
Painful sexual intercourse.
Urine, bloody-usualy blood is from the vaginal opening.

Signs and test:

A pelvic examination reveals thin, pale vaginal walls. a wet prep (microscopic evaluation of vaginal discharge) may be done to rule out other causes of vaginitis.

Treatment:

Tropical estrogen creams may be used vaginally or oral estrogen replacement therapy may be initiated. Usually this is effective in overcoming the problem.

Painful sexual intercourse may be helped by using a water-soluble vaginal lubricant.

Expectations (prognosis):

Symptomatic relief is usually achieved by implemention of one or more of the treatments outlined.

Complications:

May predispose a woman to having vaginal infections caused by bacteria or fungi (yeast). Usually there is not a specific infection; instead there is a localized tissue reaction to normal bacteria and their metabolic product,
open sores or cracks in the vaginal wall.

I hope this helps when any of the sisters have their next Dr's appt. They can talk to the Dr. about this. I know when I go Jan 9th, I will. When I saw the Dr., that did the sugery, for my four week check-up, he said my vagina wall was thinning. He gave me estrogen cream to use. Because my surgery was for endo I asked if it wasn't to soon. He said he got it all. Because of this site, Hyster Sisters, I called my primery Gyn, who is in the same office as the Dr. that did the surgery. He told me I should wait till I see him on my next office visit. I was to see him the end of Oct, but I got sick with a virus. I do not want to go on estrogen unless I can go on progestone at the same time. I read on WebMD that it could take as long as 9 months for the implants to be totally gone.

For the article where I got this info, try the following links:

For Kegal Excersises: (Copy and Paste link)
http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/003975.cfm

For Atrophic vaginitis:
http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/000892.cfm

I want to wish every sister A Very Happy & Healthy New Year!!!

Pattyaks

Here is link for another good discussion about kegels in the Post-Op forum. Kegel exercises are good for ALL women.

http://www.hystersisters.com/forums/...?threadid=8024

Sending cyberhugs,

Hi, What kind of implants do you have? I tried the implants Est. and Test., I went off of them in late 98, and by January 99, I was having such awful hot flashes, I could not even move. In January 99 I started Prometrium, hot flashes went away, and I could sleep. For me it was hard coming off the implants. I am now working very hard in finding a hormone replacement that works for me.

Where you having the dryness problem before your implants? I did not have the dryness problems that intercourse hurts before the implants. We have allways used a lubricant. I'am wondering if the implants are behind this? I have thinning of the walls of the vagina, this time Vagi-fem has helped me get this problem all most under control.

Best of luck,

judyinmich,

You misunderstood about implants. My hyst was for endo., and before I can start HRT I have to be sure all the implants from the endo are gone. Because estrogen makes the endo grow, and I want to make sure the endo is all gone before I start any HRT. My dryness is from lack of estrogen, and my vagina wall thinning. The next time my DH and I have intercourse we will be using lubricant.

Where in Mich do you live? I live in Warren Mich. If you would like to e-mail me, my e-mail address is (pashore@hotmail.com).

pattyaks
TAH BSO July 3, 00 due to Endo