His and Her Health

I have had vulvar pain for about 2 years, and like many of you, no one has really found an answer for me. There is not only involvement with the vagina, but also the digestive system so it would seem. I have loose stools alternating with constipation; this also leads to bloating, gas pains and general gastrointestinal discomfort (all of this did not start until the vaginal problem did) Also in conjunction to the burning in the vestibule, I also have anal burning with bowel movements--whether they are loose or not.

I have a pale yellow milky discharge. It looks white on the body but once it is put on a swab or toilet paper, one can see it is slightly yellow. because of the yellow discharge, a doctor had diagnosed me with DIV; however, upon speaking to other women with this condition, it didn't sound as though my pain was severe enough or my discharge copious enough to really point to that. On the contrary, I have found that I have scant discharge, almost to the point of being uncomfortably dry.

The appearance of the vulva itself is pretty unremarkable; no doctor has ever found lesions, fissures, or anything out of the ordinary. Sometimes just a slight irritated appearance and sometimes no apparent irritation at all.

I also have horomonal issues, which stem from low progesterone. Because of this, I experience spotting a week before my period, tender breasts, acne breakouts and hair growth on the face. I also think this may be why I lack much of a sex drive. I was treating this with Yaz birth control which seemed to help the acne and make periods more regular, but the last doctor i went to took me off of it because she said it could worsen DIV and the symptoms have since returned with full force.

What I want to know is could all of these symptoms be due to the horomonal issue? The only problem with that hypothesis for me is that I would think the vaginal pain would have subsided while taking the Yaz if that was the case. (the pain started prior to taking birth control of any form.)

I'm also curious about parasites, considering the bowel issues and anal burning. Anyone know of anything that would cause both bowel issues and vaginal symptoms other than parasites or bacteria? I've tested negative for trichomonas, G/C, and herpes, but have cultured positive for 4 yeast infections in the past 2 years (something else to consider)

I'm kinda at a loss here. Sorry for being so long-winded. If anyone has any ideas, I'd be happy to hear. Thanks!

Margarite, a few things come to my mind with your topic:
It is not unheard of that the appearance of the vulva is unremarkable. Quite often I hear patients say all their doctors say everything looks right.
It is also common to have vulvovaginal symptoms as well as the digestive ones; many women I have treated over the years report similar combo of symptoms as to your (meaning the digestive as well as vulvar).
Have you seen a GI specialist? Did you go anywhere to have caught a parasite? It sounds a little bit like IBS (especially with that flip flop of loose then constipation).
Additionally, many women report their vaginal pain after the start of BCP. Many reports less pain when taken off, even after many years.
Have you seen a vulvovaginal specialist? Do you know if you have any pelvic muscle pain?

Margarite, here is a link to an article on one of our websites that may help you with some interesting information.
http://www.ourgyn.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=145&Itemid=92

Hi Niva, thank you for the prompt response. The reason I do not think this is an issue of pelvic muscle pain is mainly the nature of the discharge, and i don't have any deep muscle pain. . .just a mild soreness in the vestibular portion. The only time I truly feel it is during sex and urination (if i have not had enough water, if i'm well hydrated, it is fine.)

The issue of parasites: this started after a trip to miami, where I had slept with a new partner. I used protection, and have tested negative for common STDs, so it does seem a bit odd that anything would happen, however, these symptoms began two weeks after this sexual encounter, which has always irked me.

I have not seen a GI specialist, and I have been considering it. I have seen a vulvar specialist who i did not feel was very helpful (she was the one that diagnosed me with DIV)

The birth control could not have really caused the pain because I did not start that until after that pain had started. Because of my horomone problems, I'd like to know what BC or medicines I could take that would not exacerbate the situation, and if anyone has any suggestions for that they would be welcome.

I tried to speak to the vulvar specialist I saw about yeast sensitivity or overgrowth of yeast in the bowel. She shrugged it off and told me it was a myth, though I have heard mixed things about this. I also don't see why if you can have too much yeast in the vagina why you cannot have too much yeast in the gut or if you can have sensitivity to certain products in food why yeast would not be among them. As said, I have had repeated yeast infections ever since this started and took antibiotics for acne every day for 3 years prior to the onset. Something to me seems linked there, but I am not sure.

anyway, thank you for your response and any light you can shed on this issue.