Re: Birth Contol Pills and VVS...the correlation between the two

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I've also had similar frustrations. I haven't found " the answer " yet

but I did read that itching is part of healing. I'm not completely

convinced of that but the estrace cream does seem to help some. I had

great GYN in the past but since our insurance changed, have had

trouble finding a doc who takes this seriously and has answers for the

itch of otherwise healthy looking tissue. I just hope the healing

thing is right. Continue with the estrace cream and continue

research. Sooner or later, someone WILL find something for us.

> >

> >

> > The 6 o' clock area is what hurts like hell (excuse my french)

> during

> > intercourse. It causes me to instantly burn, become inflammed and

> > red, as soon as my boyfriend tries (keyword " tries " ) to enter

> > me....also the tugging/pulling sensation. The woman on top position

> > is the ONLY position I can tolerate. After intercourse, I'm in pain

> > for the rest of the day and its uncomfortable to sit on my bottom.

> > When I urinate, I'm scared that its going to burn, like my vagina

> is

> > on FIRE! Can anyone relate to any of this? I had my hormone levels

> > tested by my NP and she told me the levels were within normal

> range.

> > Although, I was on birth control pills for 6 years more on than

> off,

> > so I think I might benefit from E or T or maybe both. I'm 24 years

> > old and get my period every month, therefore my doctors DON'T

> believe

> > I have any hormone issues. One of Chelle's recent post was on a

> study

> > to investigate the relationship between VVS and estrogen receptor

> > expression. Results showed a significant decrease in estrogen

> > receptor expression, and 50% of the samples did not exhibit any E

> > receptor expression. Another study was done on a subgroup of young

> > women, who as a consequence of being on the birth contro pill have

> > very low androgen or testosterone levels....this may very well be a

> > major reason I have pain. This is all still very confusing to me,

> but

> > I'm curious if the use of E or T could help my skin in the 6 o'

> clock

> > area. My PT in CA. evaluated me with PFD, my muscles are tight and

> > she recommended I buy vaginal dilators which I did. My VVS

> specialist

> > at Stanford, thinks I have atrophic dermatitis, she prescribed

> > Clobetasol 0.5% for a month last year in Dec. Now, currently she

> > prescibed me Pramosone w/Hydrocortizone mix when I have a flare-up.

> > Ladies, those are the ONLY two things any of my doctors have

> > suggested, besides diflucan if I get an itch....I feel EXTREMELY

> > helpless!!! Thanks for taking the time to read this and any input

> > would be helpful.

> >

> > P.S. I only have " contact pain " and pressure on my bottom if I sit

> to

> > long.

> >

> > **

> > Stay Positive & Open-Minded

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Emma,

Right now I'm using only Estace, but am considering adding

topical T. Where did you purchase your E & T gel? Was it a

prescription, compounded or what? And what is the

dosage/percentage of each?

Thanks--Janet

--- Emma wrote:

> Hi ,

>

> I have similar symptoms as yours, and just stopping the pill

> back in

> November has not had any benefit. I started E & T gel just

> one week

> ago. Already, I see physical changes to my skin, and

> actually, a

> slight, tiny improvement.

[Guest guest]

, Hormone Testing: learn about ranges Did you get a copy of your hormone results? If not, I suggest you do so. I also suggest you study and learn about hormone levels, & ranges, and when are the appropriate times to actually test your levels. They should not be taken randomly. I 'personally' go by Dr. Vliet's info (from her book Screaming to be Heard). Like everything else, there are always opinions, so you have to decide what you believe. If you do not learn about hormone testing, it is so easy for docs to blow you off! Birth Control Pills: they can effect the Estrogen and Testosterone Receptors If you've taken the birth control pill it can actually effect the Estrogen and Testosterone Receptors in the Vulvar skin even AFTER you have STOPPED using it. If you look back

through the older posts you will find tons of info on hormones and how the synthetic progestins in the bc pills actually BLOCK the E. & T. receptors and then lead to Vulvar pain. You can also have blocked receptors even if you have NORMAL blood levels of your sex hormones, and that is where applying estrogen and/or testosterone may help the vulvar skin. I took the pill for ten years total and my vulvar skin was in terrible shape. Raw, irritated, even splitting at it's worst in my early 30's. I knew there was a hormonal connection for me. Once I began using topical Estrogen (Estrace cream) the vulvar skin began to heal. I personally believe in using bio-identical Estradiol. It is the exact same thing as made by our ovaries. Premarin is synthetic...it is pregnant horse urine. I'm not a horse! *grin* I did use topical T. too.

Studies have shown that adding topical T. with the E. will actually INCREASE Estrogen receptors. Now another important thing to note is to use bio-identical T. too and not the synthetics. Steroid creams on the vulva: Steroid creams may indeed need to be used for Lichen Sclerosis and I'm sure other conditions but they should be used with caution. Steroid creams can thin the delicate tissue of the vulva, leading to more pain. I think it's good to use Estrace cream if you are using steroid creams (but that is just my two cents). PT (Physical Therapy) for vulvar pain: PT can be so good for vulvar pain if you have tight pelvic floor muscles. My top two issues with vulvar pain are: pelvic floor dysfunction/with structural issues and hormonal issues, too. Some of us have more than one

cause of the vulvar pain, so you may indeed need to keep with going to PT. It can help with the burning pain of vestibulitis, too! , you are not alone. I know it's frustrating, but hang in there and be determined to keep pressing. I wish I could tell you exactly what will work for sure for you...but I believe you are slowly figuring it out! Sorry this is long, but it's hard to explain and condense. I hope it at least helps some. Hugs, Chelle

[Guest guest]

, Hormone Testing: learn about ranges Did you get a copy of your hormone results? If not, I suggest you do so. I also suggest you study and learn about hormone levels, & ranges, and when are the appropriate times to actually test your levels. They should not be taken randomly. I 'personally' go by Dr. Vliet's info (from her book Screaming to be Heard). Like everything else, there are always opinions, so you have to decide what you believe. If you do not learn about hormone testing, it is so easy for docs to blow you off! Birth Control Pills: they can effect the Estrogen and Testosterone Receptors If you've taken the birth control pill it can actually effect the Estrogen and Testosterone Receptors in the Vulvar skin even AFTER you have STOPPED using it. If you look back

through the older posts you will find tons of info on hormones and how the synthetic progestins in the bc pills actually BLOCK the E. & T. receptors and then lead to Vulvar pain. You can also have blocked receptors even if you have NORMAL blood levels of your sex hormones, and that is where applying estrogen and/or testosterone may help the vulvar skin. I took the pill for ten years total and my vulvar skin was in terrible shape. Raw, irritated, even splitting at it's worst in my early 30's. I knew there was a hormonal connection for me. Once I began using topical Estrogen (Estrace cream) the vulvar skin began to heal. I personally believe in using bio-identical Estradiol. It is the exact same thing as made by our ovaries. Premarin is synthetic...it is pregnant horse urine. I'm not a horse! *grin* I did use topical T. too.

Studies have shown that adding topical T. with the E. will actually INCREASE Estrogen receptors. Now another important thing to note is to use bio-identical T. too and not the synthetics. Steroid creams on the vulva: Steroid creams may indeed need to be used for Lichen Sclerosis and I'm sure other conditions but they should be used with caution. Steroid creams can thin the delicate tissue of the vulva, leading to more pain. I think it's good to use Estrace cream if you are using steroid creams (but that is just my two cents). PT (Physical Therapy) for vulvar pain: PT can be so good for vulvar pain if you have tight pelvic floor muscles. My top two issues with vulvar pain are: pelvic floor dysfunction/with structural issues and hormonal issues, too. Some of us have more than one

cause of the vulvar pain, so you may indeed need to keep with going to PT. It can help with the burning pain of vestibulitis, too! , you are not alone. I know it's frustrating, but hang in there and be determined to keep pressing. I wish I could tell you exactly what will work for sure for you...but I believe you are slowly figuring it out! Sorry this is long, but it's hard to explain and condense. I hope it at least helps some. Hugs, Chelle

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I read that while using Estrace,(have been searching past posts,

links and files) itching is a sign of healing too and don't know

whether or not to buy this. It sounds counterintuitive, but

maybe it's true. I'm so frustrsted with all the confusing

information. What do others think about the " itching? "

There are so many possible causes of itching, it sounds a bit

pat to just say it's a sign of healing?

--- snailsgal wrote:

> Hi ,

>

> I've also had similar frustrations. I haven't found " the

> answer " yet

> but I did read that itching is part of healing. I'm not

> completely

> convinced of that but the estrace cream does seem to help

> some. I had

> great GYN in the past but since our insurance changed, have

> had

> trouble finding a doc who takes this seriously and has answers

> for the

> itch of otherwise healthy looking tissue. I just hope the

> healing

> thing is right. Continue with the estrace cream and continue

> research. Sooner or later, someone WILL find something for

> us.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Janet,

It was Rx'ed for me by Dr. Goldstein. The E is 0.03% and the T is

0.1%, in a cellulose gel base. It only cost $40 for about a 2

monthly supply.

Emma

>

> > Hi ,

> >

> > I have similar symptoms as yours, and just stopping the pill

> > back in

> > November has not had any benefit. I started E & T gel just

> > one week

> > ago. Already, I see physical changes to my skin, and

> > actually, a

> > slight, tiny improvement.

>

[Guest guest]

,

I am only 26...age has nothing to do with this stuff, although the

doctors like to tell us we're fine because we're young. Estrace helped

me a TON. Birth control pills were one of my definite triggers - my

pain with intercourse started within a month of going on Seosonale, the

pill you take non-stop for three months - I would give almost anything

to go back and change it. I would rather have been pregnant 3 or 4

times by now and not have the pain! =)

Melinda C. in Mass. (15 weeks pregnant!)