Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 In a message dated 7/13/04 12:42:47 PM, VulvarDisorders writes: << She has been to the gyno once and he gave her steriod cream and Lidocane (the main issue is penetration and we are 25 and 27 wishing to start a family one of these days.) >> Her doctor prescribed the steriod to relieve inflammation, unfortunately it doesn't do much for most woman and long term use makes the whole situation worse. Toss the cream into the back of the medicine cabinet and forget about it. Lidocaine used on a cotton ball and nestled in the opening of the vagina overnight has been successful for some women, including me. You can read a study about it in the Files section of the Vulvodynia list. You'll have to subscribe to that list: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/vulvodynia You can also find information and success stories about the Lidocaine Cotton Ball Treatment in the archives of this list and the Vulvodynia list. Since you want to get pregnant, I assume you want to avoid oral drugs like Elavil and Neurontin that disrupt nerve signals to the brain. Elavil can be compounding into a cream but I don't know if it's safe to use during pregnancy. There is also Atropine cream, which I've had a lot of success with. It's a compounded cream that works on inflammation and disrupts nerve signals. The only side effect is that it does dry up gland lubrication production so you have to use it sparingly and if it does have the drying effect, you have to cut back. There is a study somewhere that indicates that Atropine cream works as well as Neurontin in disrupting nerve signals. Prior to using Atropine cream and the Lidocaine Cotton Ball treatment, penetration and intercourse were very painful for me. If I use both treatments and my glands don't dry up, I can have pain free sex. The Atropine cream also works fantastic on post sex burning and inflammation. There is hope and quite a few treatments that your wife can try. She might also want to test to see if she's gluten sensitive. You can find information about that on the vulvodynia list. Debbie Tiger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Hello All! I am new to the group. My wife and I are struggling with VV and have been for a couple of years now since we found out she had it when we tried intercourse after we got married. This has put a big strain on our marriage and I have been doing some research to see what we can do about this. She has been to the gyno once and he gave her steriod cream and Lidocane (the main issue is penetration and we are 25 and 27 wishing to start a family one of these days.) Although she has not used this faithfully, the steriod cream does not seem to work. She also has a low libidio because she was on Paxil and Zoloft for some time so having sex once a month does not help the situation either! Anyway, to make a long story short...HELP. What are some other things we can try that have worked for any of you. I know there really is not a magic cure for this but VV is putting an awful strain on our marriage and love life. Sex is not fun anymore and I do not look forward to it anymore than she does. We are starting couples counseling with an LPC, LMFT tonight because she has experience in dealing with this. Thank you for your responses... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Hi , I was just diagnosed with VV recently as well. Penetration is also the big problem for me. It ALWAYS hurts, and I always get sore really fast. I was also on Paxil and had the reduced sex drive and it was really hard to orgasm. I have been seeing a Pelvic floor physiotherapist for this, and it has helped a lot. She has been doing biofeedback on me. She attaches electrodes to the area around the vagina so you can see the muscle tension/spasming etc. I practice gently tightening the muscles and then releasing them. The main thing is becoming aware of how tense that area usually is, and consciously relaxing it. The second thing is the use of dilators. These are made out of wax, from very thin and small to large. You use them to get the vagina used to insertion without pain. When the area around the opening is touched, it burns and hurts. On day one, I use my finger and touch around the opening like it's a clock. I leave my finger there for a while until the burning dies down, then move onto the next spot. I work my way around the clock maybe 4-5 times. On day 2, I do the same thing but I use the dilators.I insert it slowly, and press around the area very gently. I leqave it in until the burning dies down, then take it out and re-insert it maybe 3-4 times. The idea is you start with the smallest, working your way up to larger sizes once you are pain free with the smaller. I purchased the dilators from the physio She uses, and got me to buy, a cream called Emla. It's a skin anaesthetic that will numb the area. I use it all the time, it works great. I try the exercises without it first, and then apply if it's painful. I also use it before sex. You need to get the "pain" association out of there. As far as Paxil, once I was off of it for a month, the sex drive and ability to orgasm easily came back It's great you are looking for info and trying to help your wife. It's hard when sex becomes a painful association. Your body/mind will try to protect itself. You want to please your partner, but it hurts, you tense up, it then hurts worse, and it's a vicious circle. Anyways, hope some of this helps. Good luck! Re: Vulvar Vestibulitis Hello All!I am new to the group. My wife and I are strugglingwith VV and have been for a couple of years now sincewe found out she had it when we tried intercourseafter we got married. This has put a big strain on ourmarriage and I have been doing some research to seewhat we can do about this. She has been to the gynoonce and he gave her steriod cream and Lidocane (themain issue is penetration and we are 25 and 27 wishingto start a family one of these days.) Although she hasnot used this faithfully, the steriod cream does notseem to work. She also has a low libidio because shewas on Paxil and Zoloft for some time so having sexonce a month does not help the situation either! Anyway, to make a long story short...HELP. What aresome other things we can try that have worked for anyof you. I know there really is not a magic cure forthis but VV is putting an awful strain on our marriageand love life. Sex is not fun anymore and I do notlook forward to it anymore than she does. We arestarting couples counseling with an LPC, LMFT tonightbecause she has experience in dealing with this.Thank you for your responses...*****END OF MESSAGE/REMOVE WHEN REPLYING*****http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VulvarDisordersto search our archive or view our files.*** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 , I just want to applaud you for looking for some way to help your wife (and yourself through this). I have had VV and DV for many years. I know that the fact that my husband wasn't interested in working with me made a HUGE impact in our relationship. I felt very alone. One time I asked him what the name of the condition was and he didn't know. This after 12 years of marriage! I'd know if he had erectile dysfunction or any other health condition. In other words, your support is very important. It will help your wife attempt sexual intercourse to know she has a supporting, loving partner. You have come to the right place. One thing that helped me very much was biofeedback. I think the couples therapy is also a great idea. Keep the lines of communication open. Lovemaking is not just intercourse so be creative! Good luck! From: Vaughn Warncke To: VulvarDisorders Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 6:50 AM Subject: Re: Vulvar Vestibulitis Hello All!I am new to the group. My wife and I are strugglingwith VV and have been for a couple of years now sincewe found out she had it when we tried intercourseafter we got married. This has put a big strain on ourmarriage and I have been doing some research to seewhat we can do about this. She has been to the gynoonce and he gave her steriod cream and Lidocane (themain issue is penetration and we are 25 and 27 wishingto start a family one of these days.) Although she hasnot used this faithfully, the steriod cream does notseem to work. She also has a low libidio because shewas on Paxil and Zoloft for some time so having sexonce a month does not help the situation either! Anyway, to make a long story short...HELP. What aresome other things we can try that have worked for anyof you. I know there really is not a magic cure forthis but VV is putting an awful strain on our marriageand love life. Sex is not fun anymore and I do notlook forward to it anymore than she does. We arestarting couples counseling with an LPC, LMFT tonightbecause she has experience in dealing with this.Thank you for your responses... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 Hi Neryp@c..... (I am not sure of your name but that is your address) I was just reading your message and I noticed that you had tried biofeedback. I have just started to try this, and I was wondering exactly what your treatment in biofeedback involved. Right now I have been told to massage canesten for athletes foot (sounds a bit weird but the doctor insisted that it was great stuff for my case of vulvodynia) into the vestibular area 20 minutes twice a day for a month. He told me that this would be a treatment program that would last about 8 months. After this month, I think I have to start to use dialators. He has not fully explained the rest of the treatment plan to me yet. Is this what you had to do Did you find that you recovered completely after trying it I am curious to hear your experiences, as well as those of anyone else who has tried it and is willing to share. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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