Check out another forum on this site to read the stories of many women who have had a similar problem:
www.medhelp.org/posts/show/25417
Hi all. This is a repost from another thread on the same topic. I cannot believe that so many of us are having the same issue with no results! I am 24 and have suffered from these vaginal tears and itching off and on for many years. I have found that it comes at the same general time in my menstrual cycle... and it is definately NOT HERPES! I have regular check ups and have never been diagnosed with herpes (even before I became sexually active!). I too think that it has something to do with the vaginal flora and the yeast levels. I am a certified herbalist and nutritionalist, and I am starting to think that the cause for all of this may be a systemic candida infection. Candida albicans is the scientific name for yeast. When it becomes systemic it can cause all kinds of problems. Google it and you will find many holistic websites that list the many and varied symptoms. It effects everyone differently, so it can be hard to diagnose. This is also the reason why the mainstream medical community does not really recognize systemic candida infections as a real illness.
We are all on some version of the standard american diet... over processed foods with too much refined sugar>> candida's best friend! I am not sure if this is a definitive answer, but don't be surprised if your GYN blows it off. Most of them will not accept this as an answer but I am going to look into it more... Unfortunately, curing systemic candida usually requires major diet changes and a strict herbal regimen. I will post again with more info when I can. Good lcuk to you all... keep the info coming!
Are you asking me? I don't need too much more...I've found a lot of support from these forums. (And to be honest, more here than from my own doctor). I understand what you're saying...I think people think this site is monitored constantly and we should jump to our computers when the "med-help bell" rings. Many people come to the site in a panic looking for instant answers by (mostly) average joes. I guess since I haven't gotten any definitive answers quite yet and have been asking doctors for years (each with a different opinion), I could relate to this person a little. I suppose that's why I didn't really consider this person to be a "special case" that needed emergency treatment. It was simply a person looking for some answers and wondering if this was something that was typical or that needed to be looked at by a doctor. You gotta remember, some people don't even know what to do about or even what a yeast infection is. This is a good place to get info before rushing off to the dr (of which some don't have the luxury of doing)
Yes my comment was a little harsh but i say how i feel, and thats how i felt when i read the comment about how theres no help here??? And FYI when i went to work today I asked the physcian that I work for and he said yes they are very common, no need to ring the herpes alarm, all he said was to see your family doctor/obgyn and she will probibly get perscribed an antibotic ointment and see if that helps any to see if futher reasearch is needed..NOW HOW MUCH MORE SUPPORT TO YOU NEED FROM A PERSON..
NJNP, YOU may not be able to relate to it, but actually A LOT of women can...including me! I'm pretty sure the reason people come to this forum is to get info on something that is "not normal". In fact there are many posts by many women in regards to vaginal tears...just not a lot of answers. Many drs look at the tears and swear its nothing. "Just use more lube!" were told. Others test for the possibility of Herpes. Currently, I'm waiting to get the Herpes Inhibition test done for HSV-2 as I am positive for HSV-1 and have a low positive for HSV-2 (which can be a false positive if you're positive for HSV-1). Currently, I'm thinking it has more to do with the Bacterial Vaginosis that keeps flaring up or a general hormonal imbalance of some sort. I honestly don't think we need to advise people to clog up the emeergency rooms for vaginal cuts. I'm thinking a call to her GYN or a visit to Planned Parenthood or an STD clinic would be better advice, IMO.
Infamous, I hope your GF finds relief and support through SUPPORTIVE people (eh-hum, NJNP) and her doctor. Perhaps, she should go get checked for not only yeast but BV as well. I had a long conversation with another girl with the same issues and posted old forum links for her regarding this subject . Look for "Vaginal Cuts and Herpes" on 5/22 (I think) on the patient to patient STD forum. You can also look here... www.tfproject.org/tfp/archive/index.php/t-16360.html
BTW, I know the idea of possibly having Herpes may be alarming (and it may not be Herpes anyway), but if you read up on it and educate yourselves, you'll find that its not all that uncommon and very manageable.
THERES NO HELP HERE BECAUSE THATS NOT NORMAL, SHE NEEDS TO SEE A DOCTOR A.S.A.P, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY SHE 'S A SPECIAL CASE AND AN INTERNET HELP SEARCH IS NOT WHERE SHE NEEDS TO BE MORE LIKE AN EMERGENCY ROOM, NO ONE CAN RELATE TO THAT.SORRY!
Forgot to mention she just experienced vaginal itching and i said it was prob a yeast infection and she said shes never had one. Any help?