His and Her Health

Hi, I am pain free from vulvadynia. it took 10 months of discipline but now I am fine. I figured out the problem on my own. I went to several doctors who did not help. I didn't need any drugs, even though certain doctors suggested different prescription pain relievers. I figured out that it was all my PH. I was out of balance. So either I got really high or too low (acidic). At first I thought that a yeast infection triggered the vulvadynia but now I realize it was just another symptom of an imbalance internal environment. I believe the longer you have vulvadynia & IC the longer it will take to get balanced. I have helped several women so I know I am not just a fluke! I read every book i could on PH and then I was able to pin point some things that are unique to vulvadynia & Ic sufferers. It was definately 4 steps forward 2 steps back until now. I will tell anyone who is interested what I did but it is a little involved so just ask me and I will post details. It is not low oxalate diet at all! I know why that helps some but it isn't the whole picture. I want to help as many women as possible so I hope there is interest. Let me know. There is hope. Laura

Do tell! I read somewhere about ph but didn't have enough info on it.

Okay. Well, First you will need PH stix or litmus paper. I found them online. Next you will a diary to keep track of your results and food that you consume. In a nutshell here are the basics:
1. foods/drinks to avoid & why-Vinager, whey (mostly found in cheese but in other things too) all fruit(yes I said all fruit, for now)caffeine in anything, any supplements (for now)or vitamins, alcohol,carbonated drinks, tomatoes, sugar, processed foods of any type including flour, any type of pepper (table, red yellow, green). All of these things are acidic and will make you too acidic (reading of 6.5 or lower on your ph paper). They contain weak acids which women with vulvadynia can't breakdown as easily. That is why we feel pain. It is the acid that is being eliminated through bodily fluids in our vulva.

2. Foods to eat & why-all green leafy veggies, raw or gently steamed, some protein like chicken & fish & nuts, potatoes of all type, butter (small quantities) olive oil,whole wheat (all natural be careful whole wheat pre-packaged bread had vinegar in the ingrediants)eggs are okay (the yolk is better than the white)

3. DRINK 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water. ie if you weigh 140 lbs drink 70 ounces of water. Drink only, PH balanced, bicarbonate enhanced bottled water. Not all water is equal. I drink only Evian, Fugi is okay (has less bicarb
onate)and there are other europeon brands of water that have bicarbonate. Why is this important? The neutralized water with bicarbonate helps to neutralize your bodily acids thus taking away the stinging and irriation of the vulva.

4. Stress reduction-As hard as this is it is vital to remove the stress in your life by way of meditation, yoga, something to ease your stress. Stress is acidic and tips your ph to the acidic side of the scale.

5. Monthly cycles effect your ph b/c your digestion slows during menstruation. so it isn't uncommen to have more pain right b4 your period. Pay close attention to your intake during these times.

This restricted eating is temporary and will only last until your ph is balanced (6.75-7.5) I believe women with vulvadynia and IC have a very volatile ph and the scales are easily tipped. I felt too acidic as well as too alkalined. I started to feel better really immediately, especially when I stopped coffee and tea! Then I got bad a bit but never as bad as it had been. It kept going like that a little better then a bit worse until no pain and then balance. At last! It's a beautiful thing. I did add fruit back when I saw improvement at about 3 months and even added some natural sugar. I am now eating just about anything except coffee, regular tea, a lot of tomatoes and citris. I did have lemon this week and felt great. So there it is. There is some more but this should get you going. The longer you have been out of balance the more you have to hang in there for results. I think the longer you have had this it will take longer to feel better. If you wonder if something makes you acidic just eat it and then 30 minutes later urinate on the ph paper. I could tell right away for me b/c I felt it in my vulva. Weird I know but it makes sense with regards to the PH factor. I had alot of other really nice bi-products from this: I lost weight, my blood pressure is normal and my migraines are gone! Feel free to ask any questions. I eat mostly organic foods. I try to stay clear of labeled foods (usually tons of artificial ingredients) and cans! Also, no artificial sweetners ever!!! Good luck Laura

Dear Laura,
Thanks for your informative message. I have just begun my fight. In the five months since my diagnosis doctors have not been able to help. I am keeping my fingers crossed that your info will.

Good luck Christina, I would suggest getting some books on PH and diet as well. Just remember the weak acid info. That isn't mention in most PH books. Let me know. laura

Here is an article you may want to read .It is on one of our other websites.
http://www.ourgyn.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=116&Itemid=83

Thanks Laura, I will look into it. Though, for me, I only had the symptoms after having surgery for HPV, which is probably why my nerves are so out of whack. But nothing is working to calm them down so far, so if I am hypersensitive to everything, the ph may also have an effect. There really is no good diet solution, then, in the end of it, huh? I am a vegetarian so no fruits or vinegar sucks! haha. Worth a look into, though.

Thanks

Hi Janet, Sorry for your pain! Some women are not sensitive to the weak acids in vinegar, fruits, dairy. Like I said, the best thing to do is to add it back slow and see how you feel and measure your PH on litmus paper. I have found some vegetarians too alkaline, which can be painful too. So you may be too high on the scale. I felt both. Either way you are looking to achieve balance (6.75-7.25 is what most experts agree as optimal). So you need to play around with your food. We are all different, like different chemistry sets. So what makes me acid could potentially make you alkaline. So there is no one right diet, it is so personal. Keep notes, test your urine and let me know. Laura

Thank you so much for posting that diet mlehrhaupt. I am 19 and have had vestibulitus for 4 years now. I have started to give up. I feel I have tried EVERYTHING and hope that this diet youve done will help me. THANK YOU!!

Kaylugh, Your welcome. Don't get frustrated. The longer you are out of balance the longer this will take to work. You may experience some relapse,but hang it there. If this is your problem it will work fairly soon. If you start it and feel no difference in the first week, it might not be your answer. Most women who did this felt relief, then relapse (but not as bad as b4 the diet) then relief again until mostly great days and hardly any bad days. Discipline and trust are two words that come to mind. Ask me a ? anytime. If i don't know the answer I will research to find out. Good health..Ps today is my birthday and I had chocolate cake (alot) and no pain! Progress not perfection. Laura

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you Happy birthday dear miehrhaupt, Happy birthday to you.And many more.

Laura,
can u suggest where to buy the Ph papers? also, which books on ph would u recommend?
thank you!
jana

I have a question for you about the diet. I bought one of those test at home yeast infections kits and it said my pH was 8.5 or higher. What do you think this means- should I do the opposite diet?

thanks!
Stephanie

Please - let us know what you did. I have been struggling now for 2 months trying to figure out what is going on with me.

Dr office called yesterday talked about possiblity of vulvodynia and called in a prescription for me for Elavil. I don't want to take it. I hate taking medications and I am searching for help.

This sounds alot like the oxalate diet- and the whole "leaky gut syndrome" how certain women i.e. vulvodynia cannot excrete oxaltes as normal people do thru their feces so the oxalates are built up in there system and excreted thru the tissues. I notice a decrease in pain levels byu being on the oxalate diet
The problem with the ph strips, if you drink alot of water, normally shows ur urine is alk.
There used to be testing for oxalates done in a lab in colorado which was discontinued in 2005
to get an accurate picture of the oxalates in the urine you need more than one sample. Not sure what lab may be doing that now?