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Various gynecological problems--need advice
Starting about 4.5 months ago I began getting a series of vaginal infections. 1st I had what I thought was a yeast infection, then I had both BV and yeast, then BV alone, then yeast alone, then cervitis. Eventually I had a culture done that came back fine. However I noticed that my bladder seemed more prominent, like lower in my vagina than ever before & I could feel something like a bump deep in my vagina, I think on my bladder. A dr said my bladder felt normal & that he couldnt detect the bump I was referring to so I ignored it and carried on.
Even after a culture came back with no signs of infection I continued to experience deep pain during intercourse, almost as if the tissue was irritated & mostly deep in the vaginal walls toward the cervix. Fast forward a few weeks & I saw a 3rd doctor who said I had another case of BV. I later went in for a follow-up with the 3rd dr. who said I no longer had any signs of infection. When I asked why I was still experiencing pain during sex then, she surmised that my body was adjusting to such a long series of infections coupled with many, many antibiotics.
Fast forward several weeks beyond that & the 3rd doctor told me I have herpes. At this point I got tested for all STDs & infections (came back negative for all but HSV). I currently have no BV/yeast, no current HSV outbreak, no other STDs & no HPV. Yet my bladder still feels like it's hanging low, the aforementioned bump seems to have grown & I am still experiencing a tingly, burning, raw sensation during sex that often lingers for an hour or 2 afterward as if nerves are exposed or something. Certain parts of the vagina feel very tender & "raw" even when I am well-lubricated. Wondering if this might be a form of vulvodynia caused by herpes &/or series of antibiotics/infections. Also wondering what the lowered bladder might mean & if I should be concerned. Going in for a regular pap smear w/ 4th dr. in a few days but scared that he will not be helpful either. Please help!
Even after a culture came back with no signs of infection I continued to experience deep pain during intercourse, almost as if the tissue was irritated & mostly deep in the vaginal walls toward the cervix. Fast forward a few weeks & I saw a 3rd doctor who said I had another case of BV. I later went in for a follow-up with the 3rd dr. who said I no longer had any signs of infection. When I asked why I was still experiencing pain during sex then, she surmised that my body was adjusting to such a long series of infections coupled with many, many antibiotics.
Fast forward several weeks beyond that & the 3rd doctor told me I have herpes. At this point I got tested for all STDs & infections (came back negative for all but HSV). I currently have no BV/yeast, no current HSV outbreak, no other STDs & no HPV. Yet my bladder still feels like it's hanging low, the aforementioned bump seems to have grown & I am still experiencing a tingly, burning, raw sensation during sex that often lingers for an hour or 2 afterward as if nerves are exposed or something. Certain parts of the vagina feel very tender & "raw" even when I am well-lubricated. Wondering if this might be a form of vulvodynia caused by herpes &/or series of antibiotics/infections. Also wondering what the lowered bladder might mean & if I should be concerned. Going in for a regular pap smear w/ 4th dr. in a few days but scared that he will not be helpful either. Please help!
P.S. Is it possible to have atrophic vaginitis without going through menopause? Could it be related to my birth control?
Can changes in estrogen levels affect the ligaments of the bladder?
Can changes in estrogen levels affect the ligaments of the bladder?
Hello Dr. Brown,
Same poster as before here. To clarify some things, I am 24 and pre-menopausal. I have been taking the same birth control for over a year and a half (Junel FE) and have never been pregnant. I have been taking probiotic supplements for the last three months or so (after I started getting so many infections) to boost the "good" bacteria in my body. I also regularly take Vitamins B, C, D, and E; garlic; cranberry tablets; and lysine to boost my overall immune system to prevent vaginal infections and prevent the onset of herpes outbreaks. I also eat yogurt several times throughout the week and have been trying to incorporate more vegetables and fruits into my diet and cut back on sweets and carbs.
Earlier today I checked, and my bladder still seems to be hanging somewhat low. It is not low enough to be uncomfortable, but I know it has not always been like this, and so it concerns me. I am not experiencing any bladder pain or painful urination although I do urinate frequently and often experience a sort of "stalling" effect wherein I feel like I REALLY need to urinate, but my body hesitates. Sometimes I also feel a strong urge to urinate shortly after going--as if my bladder didn't fully empty the first time.
Also, after posting earlier, I started bleeding abnormally--dark, almost black blood. It is not time for my period. I know this could simply be "old blood," but it is darker than I've ever experienced, and with so many gynecological problems within the last few months, every little thing worries me now.
Same poster as before here. To clarify some things, I am 24 and pre-menopausal. I have been taking the same birth control for over a year and a half (Junel FE) and have never been pregnant. I have been taking probiotic supplements for the last three months or so (after I started getting so many infections) to boost the "good" bacteria in my body. I also regularly take Vitamins B, C, D, and E; garlic; cranberry tablets; and lysine to boost my overall immune system to prevent vaginal infections and prevent the onset of herpes outbreaks. I also eat yogurt several times throughout the week and have been trying to incorporate more vegetables and fruits into my diet and cut back on sweets and carbs.
Earlier today I checked, and my bladder still seems to be hanging somewhat low. It is not low enough to be uncomfortable, but I know it has not always been like this, and so it concerns me. I am not experiencing any bladder pain or painful urination although I do urinate frequently and often experience a sort of "stalling" effect wherein I feel like I REALLY need to urinate, but my body hesitates. Sometimes I also feel a strong urge to urinate shortly after going--as if my bladder didn't fully empty the first time.
Also, after posting earlier, I started bleeding abnormally--dark, almost black blood. It is not time for my period. I know this could simply be "old blood," but it is darker than I've ever experienced, and with so many gynecological problems within the last few months, every little thing worries me now.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
There is a condition called a cystoceole in which the ligaments of the bladder are weakend and the bladder "sags". It is most commonly noted in women who have had several vaginal births. Kegel exercises are sometimes helpful in strengthening these supports and restoring the bladder to its normal position--there is also a surgical procedure called an anterior repair that can be done if the exercises don't give the desired results.
I don't know your age, but atrophic vaginitis which is caused by low estrogen levels associated with menopause can cause symptoms similar to those you describe.
I doubt that more antibiotics are going to do you much good, and if you were my patient, I would probably suggest that you avoid taking more antibiotics and instead concentrate on trying to restore the "good " bacteria that normally populate the vagina.
You can help this process by taking probiotics and yogurt with live cultures.
Hope this information helps!
Dr B
By the way, you can request that your doctor allow you to use a mirror to show him/her where you are feeling the "bump".
There is a condition called a cystoceole in which the ligaments of the bladder are weakend and the bladder "sags". It is most commonly noted in women who have had several vaginal births. Kegel exercises are sometimes helpful in strengthening these supports and restoring the bladder to its normal position--there is also a surgical procedure called an anterior repair that can be done if the exercises don't give the desired results.
I don't know your age, but atrophic vaginitis which is caused by low estrogen levels associated with menopause can cause symptoms similar to those you describe.
I doubt that more antibiotics are going to do you much good, and if you were my patient, I would probably suggest that you avoid taking more antibiotics and instead concentrate on trying to restore the "good " bacteria that normally populate the vagina.
You can help this process by taking probiotics and yogurt with live cultures.
Hope this information helps!
Dr B
By the way, you can request that your doctor allow you to use a mirror to show him/her where you are feeling the "bump".
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