I have been reading this thread with great interest. My GYN has me on estrace and steroid topical creams and I just started low dose bcps to help with the burning and irritation. I find it particularly uncomfortable when I have to walk fast or run--do other people find this? Must be everything rubbing together down there. Do any of you have bladder symptoms as part of this? I have had several cultures and been on antibiotics but am convinced the frequent urination and burning and more frequent feeling I have to "go" is funky hormones, esp as it changes from day to day. I have seen a uro for a consult, but want to give the hormone angle a real shot before I get on the testing merry-go-round.

When this started for me in 2001, I was a runner....oh and it hurt so bad...I also ran a beauty supply/salon...there were days when I could hardly walk 5 feet without crying. It felt like my vagina was on fire...it was horrible. I had a UTI & Yeast infection 24/7 for 129 days. I would get the UTI, he would give me bactrim..those drugs would cause a yeast infection, so he gave me diflucan, that would cause the UTI...this went on at least 4 months until my doctor figured out it was a catch 22......I tried estrace, premarin cream....all kinds of organic * hoslistic remedies....nothing helped until I would put on traditional HRT...I still got occasional flare ups of the burning(not the itch) just the burning, aching pain.....but my doctor & I made a deal NO BACTRIM or anyother drugs......just used replenz.....and that did help for a while, I even ordered this vaginal ointment from the UK for 80$$$$.....nothing really worked, I mean 100% until I began using the Vitamin E Suppostories.. I keep 4 boxes in the fridge at ALL times.....I normally onluy have to use them 2-4 times every few months.......once I started the hRT and started using the vitamin e everynight....for about 4 months......it just got under control.....for 10$ it saved my sanity...and Vaginal Atrophy affects your bladder too....I have to wear a panty liner ALL of the time.....because my bladder leaks sometimes.....I have an ENTIRE drawer devoted to my Vagina.

Sissy I am having similar bladder issues and was even at one time put on a couple of rounds of antibiotics. They( the urologist) found out later that I didn't even need them The dang antibiotics dried me out sooooo much and I was in a ton of pain as in the kind that you're describing.I freaked out and was frustrated until I did some reading here and found out about the vitamin e suppositories. Why don't the doctors know that the antibiotics have a drying effect. on the menopausal vaggy area? I had to explain to them what happened and they were surprised. Anyway I hear ya about the feeling of having to go, it feels kinda like a bladder spasm right? The symptoms of a urinary tract infection are similar to an overly dry( atrophied) vaggy.The only way that I can tell the difference cause this is happening to me too right now is that my urine is clear and the pain and urgency seem to dissapear within 15 minutes of inserting a vitamin e suppository.I don't think that would happen if it was a true infection. I'm sorry to hear that you've been having pain when walking.My comes when I'm sitting and wearing jeans seem to not help it any either.Since most of my wardrobe consists of jeans this presents a bit of a problem, lol.
Urologists will always find *something* even if it is only a tiny bit of bacteria in urine.This doesn't nessacrily mean that you have an uti especially if theres no sign of blood. One of the nurses mentioned something about shedding vaginal cells because of the dryness and that showing up in the urine.Let the urologist give you an ultasound just to put your mind at ease if he offers to on the chance that you could have a small kidney or bladder stone somewhere causing a problem.But like I said usally theres visible blood in the urine as proof of a problem.Make them send the urine to a lab just don't rely on their in office testing because it won't be as accurate( I know this from experience).The vitamin e suppositories though will be your best friend. I've used as many as 3 per day in between using the estrace am and pm. While everything is trying to heal down below the estrace needs some extra help that only the suppositories can do.It's the diffference between being in searing hot pain or being able to start living a normal life again.It also helps to avoid things like citrus,tomatoes and tomato products, nitrates and salty stuff like ham,chocolate and coffee and tea.I found this out the hard way also,lol.These foods are all iratating to the urinary tract and when make urinating feel like acid coming out!

So it took 4 months to really feel better? Geez I can only imagine everyday feeling like an eternity until the symptoms started getting relieved. Well at least we know what we're dealing with if any of us have to go that route. I'd prefer to have instant results but it is comforting to know that theres a light at the end of the tunnel of pain. It's also helpful to know that you still have need for the e suppositories.You see I would have ended up being in shock or upset if I was on offical HRT and then I still needed the suppositories.So now at least I 'll know what to expect. It's weird that you said that you need them about every 2 months.I was noticing that stuff starts happening to me every 3 to 4 months.Before the economy completely tanked I'd just go get a couple of acupuncture treatment s and take the herbs more often and that would straighten it out. This time it's not as easy and the healing process seems slower. But again thank Gog for those e suppositories or I'd have jumped off the nearest bridge and I hate bridges!

Dear 'MozMom'
Before the HRT kicked in I had moderate vaginal atrophy plus dryness.I found that KY Jelly,over the counter very helpful.
Also have been hearing good news about the Vitamin E capsules.
The dryness can be very painful so whatever works for you is good!
Wishing you well
Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Sweatsville and all--

Thanks for the comforting reply. I will try the vitamin E suppositories--are you allowed to say what kind you use on these boards or describe at least what to look for? I am on estrace and an cortisol ointment which seem to be helping somewhat but the doctor sounded this would clear everything up in no time when in fact has taken a couple of months to notice improvenment....Thanks!

No actually the HRT seemed to help within a month, the burning, itching & pain LAST FOUR MONTHS before anyone really thought of VA. It was years before I came & found this site...and someone told me about the Vitamin E suppostories~greatest advice I have ever gotten and I have passed it on ever since!

CARLSON KEY E SUPPOSTORIES...I buy the 24 pack...I ONLY found the 12 pack in my local health food store & they wanted 13$. The cheapest place on the internet was luckyvitamin,.com
24/8.99
These are a life saver! wherever you buy them

Thanks!!!!! I will report back on my results with the E...

I'm going to check out lucky vitamin because I just bought the last pack of E suppositories at the health food store.It ain't gonna pretty if I run out of these things. Thanks for the tip

I have some posts, early on in one of these threads. I found these forums about 4-5 years ago, when I was burning like crazy down there. When it first happened, I thought it was a yeast infection and treated myself not once, but 3 times with monistat. I finally got diflucan from my doctor..even tho no yeast was present. During this bout of burning, I had tried so many things. I think I bought everything one can, over the counter and online. Ointments, replens, KY products, vitaman e oil, etc..nothing seemed to work for me.

This continued on and off for 2 1/2 years, more yeast infections..but no yeast ever found..until finally, I broke out with a horrendous rash..all over, down below. Prior to this, and going to a dermatologist, several trips to the gyno found nothing. They kept telling me all of this burning was dryness...but, I didnt think I was dry. How can you be dry sometimes and other times, it would ease up, almost disappearing, and within a week or two, it would be back. I would also get something that felt like paper cuts...and not always in the same exact spot. I burned when I urinated and it touched these cuts for over a year.

Well, once this rash showed up on the upper thigh, between the legs, the bend of the leg, the pubic hair area, the feminine skin..and clear up the center of my backside, I was diagnosed with inverse psoriasis. Who even knew psoriasis could go there? And thats what all of that burning, for all of that time was from. Psoriasis. It was only then, that I associated the few red dots that I had here and there on my body, from time to time..with what was going on down there.

Anyway, I still read here all of the time..and sometimes wonder, if women arent suffering with something else besides dryness...but so far, I never saw anyone mention this nasty rash..so I guess most of you are experiencing dryness.

When one is burning there..it matters not what its from..because when it burns..it burns, right?

I wanted to mention a couple of things that really helped me. Maybe they will help you, too.

Underwear. Dont wear any to bed. That area is hot all day, we sweat..if your sleeping situation allows, wear a nightgown and ditch the underwear. If you are home in the day..wear a long skirt or a wrap around towel, or a presentable long night gown. Air really helps and nothing pressing on you there, also helps. I dont think air will cure what ails you, but it sure does feel better.

When you do have to dress, try and stick to cotton underwear. If they feel damp at points during the day, change them.

Hydrocortisone cream, can be used there..if it helps..and in my situation..it helped me. Of course, I burn for a different reason, but I find the cream really helped and had I used it when the gyno suggested, instead of trying everything else under the sun, I may have had some relief. Right now, I have rx steroid ointment to use as needed...but I am happy to say, my burning days are over. I havent burned there in 2 1/2 years.

I dont get those paper cuts anymore, either..but a little neosporin on them worked wonders.

Also soothing is an aveeno oatmeal bath...however, its only soothing for the time you are in the bath..and for a little while after...but oatmeal is good for the skin..and no matter where its located, its still skin.

I think we have all had our share of aches, pains and ailments..but to burn down there for weeks at a time, only to have it ease up a little and come right back..is awful. That burning was one of the worst experiences I have ever had...not to mention, thinking I was losing my mind, since I knew it I had something..and didnt think the answer was dryness.

Best of luck to everyone. I hope you all find something that will relieve your pain. I know how much you are suffering.

Hey just wanted to check in and say that I am so glad you all recommended the vitamin E vag suppositories! They are very soothing...I am feeling a lot more comfortable and I love the fact that they are a natural treatment--I can get by with less estrace and prescription cream. A big thanks!

Glad it worked for you. Its the fastest, easiest & cheapest relief ever.

Okay, this is the 2nd time I've suffered from the burning and I guess i got lax with the estrogen cream because I was feeling so much better. I am again in agony and I'm going to go try the vitamin E suppositories. I am so darned tired of one thing after another. Thanks for all the suggestions, hopefully relief will be on it's way!

I promise you relief is on the way! This vitamin saved my life & my sanity! just make sure you get the right kind.....

Buffy--

Thanks again, the Vitamin E has been great! They have helped me enormously. I just bought my third box.....

hi, I am having this burning sensation too and think I may have brought it on by my horrible diet. Could someone please list again the good foods and bad foods. I want to copy them and put them where I can see them.
FYI-I went to the gyn one week ago and got back my results and that's all good, but this irritation was going on before the pap and now it's really flared. I want to stop stressing. I feel like I am in a vicious cycle. Today I am forced to break that cycle and start eating and drinking the right things.
A side note here as far as the sugar consumption, I have been drinking fruit juices like water for the past few days-this could definitely be the trigger, right.
I am going to take my sore end to the nearest natural food store I can find and get those vit e suppositories.
One semi good day and 5 bad.
Meanwhile my friends seem to be zipping along and don't complain of any of these things. Good for them. I don't really talk to them about this stuff either.
I hide alot of what I am feeling, but my emotions are getting the better of me=stress=VA.
Good luck to everyone looking for relief.
Senecaguns

sugar does me in, and some dairy. But STRESS!!!! OMG....you know how when your upset, you ALWAYS got that sensation in your stomach??? since PERI, its gone lower..when I am super stressed...MY VA flairs up. Get the Vitamin E....once u used them.....you'll be hooked. I keep all my boxes in the fridge, in the butter compartment!

Hi Buffy. I went to two health food stores, and a drug store, they've never heard of such. So my question is, where did you purchase the Vitamine E suppositories?


bmgj

luckyvitamin.com(cheapest place on the web for a pack of 24)

FYI: I would NEVER trust any health food store that did NOT know what these were.
Drug stores will never have them but my local HENRY's & JIMBO's(both large health food stores, both carry them, but only in the 12 pack for 13$)

where do you buy the suppositories?