His and Her Health

I've been on birth control for about 4 months. I don't know when it started but I have this "raw" pain after having sexual intercourse. <BR>For example: Due to work and distant driving, my boyfriend and I see each other during the weekends. We'll have sexual intercourse on Friday. The next day (Saturday) I feel so sensitive, even when he just rubs w/ his fingers it's painful. As we use lubrication my vagina begins to feel better, though as begin sexual intercourse we have to start really slow. It's like this for the rest of the weekend. When the weekdays pass and Friday comes around I feel all better!<P>I've heard that birth control may be what's causing this pain. Would this be true? If so, if I change the brand, will that fix my problem? Please help!

birth control pills can cause a decrease in the estrogen in the vagina and therefore can cause thinning of the vaginal mucosa and cause the symptoms that you describe. All hormonal birth control can cause this problem.<P>------------------<BR>Andrew T. Goldstein<BR>Director, The Center For Vulvovaginal Disorders

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dr. Andrew Goldstein:<BR><B>birth control pills can cause a decrease in the estrogen in the vagina and therefore can cause thinning of the vaginal mucosa and cause the symptoms that you describe. All hormonal birth control can cause this problem.<P></B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Thankyou so much for replying back.<BR>I guess I just don't understand why I've never heard other women complain about this problem. Is there anything that I can do that can increase my estrogen?<BR>

Hello:<BR>Actually, what you describe may also be due to any other source of irritation in the vagina, and not your pills.<BR>If this problem persists, see your gynecologist and have an exam to check for a low-grade yeast infection and other possible causes.<BR>Also, I like water-based lubricants when sex is infrequent, because they work better than other types to prevent friction and pain.<BR>Good luck!<P>------------------<BR>Supportive Guy