vaginal irritation and painful intercourse

[twilightsonlylove]

I've been having some vaginal irritation burning, itching, painful intercourse for many months now. I'm a 56 year old menopausal woman. I've been going to see my ob/gyn about this problem for years now. He tells me that the vaginal walls are thinning because of my age and the menopause, so he prescribed Premarin. I started using it then I stopped because it didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference at first. Then I went bakc to him with the same symptoms he told me that I needed to stay on the Premarin for at least a month to see how that would work. I did that with some improvement but not a whole lot. Then I decided to go to my family doctor for a second opinion and he said that I had a UTI which was what I thought I had from the beginning, he prescribed a 5 day regemin of an antibiotic called Nitrofur-Macrobid 100 mg. That seems to have stopped some of the irritation I was feeling, the itching and burning during urination stopped, but every once in a while I still get a little vaginal irritation. But the worst part is the painful sexual intercourse, plus during penetration the lip of my vagina feels like it's splitting anf cutting and my husband says he noticed that it felt like it was cutting his penis. No one seems to be able to dignose this right and I'm at my wits end because I don't know what to do and don't know what's causing this. I'm desperate for an answer. My husband has started using a condom, that helps some but it's still irritating and painful to have sex. I feel like we may be allegeric to each other. Please someone help me!
Thanks

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
In all probability you have vaginal dryness. There are many problems that cause vaginal dryness such as hypothyroidism, Sjogren’s syndrome, vaginitis or inflammation of vagina, dermatitis of skin around vagina, condom allergy, or allergy to soaps and lotions. Menopause and low estrogen is another cause and you must continue to use Premarin while you rule out other causes. Sometimes the foreplay is not adequate for the female to be aroused as the arousal time of the two partners is different. Hence you need to pace yourself with your wife.  At times no cause is found and water based lubricants are the only solution.
Vaginitis can occur due to fungal infection, bacterial vaginosis, STD, or allergy to something you use or wear. The cause has to be found out by specific tests and vaginal swabs. Also please undertake a PAP smear test. Discuss with your gynecologist.
Take care!

[ObiQuiet]

Hi, you may have already checked into this, but I remember something similar when I had recurrent yeast infections, which were caused by the treatments for my recurrent bladder (UTI) infections.  Miserable feeling!!!  I know now that antibiotics do that to me, so when I have to take them, I also get an Rx for Diflucan, an oral medication for the yeast infection (creams are just yucky, and even after repeated uses, wouldn't clear it up for me).  The yeast infection can be passed to your husband during sex, causing him irritation, and then he can pass it back to you.  Sex felt like razorblades cutting me.  The creams are good for external relief, and your husband can use the cream to clear his up too.  Just a thought...

I agree with Faithnel - wash with warm or cool water, avoid soap; and wear good cotton underwear, no nylons, I would avoid synthetic pants as well if you can.  Good luck!

[faithnel]

Hi, i had experienced similar symptoms, i tried a lot of things not sure what really helped but this is what i did,
1. don't use soap down there, use warm to cool water and dont soak in the tub
2 eat a lot of cucumbers,
3 take a teaspoon of olive oil before you sleep for 3 days, thereafter take omegas 3,6 as part of you nutritional supplement- ask your doctor first.
4 avoid spicy and acidic food
5 shave your vg and apply vg creams
6 avoid synthetic material panties, i went and bought myself cotton panties.
wishing you a speedy recovery,