His and Her Health

I know that most of you will hear my story and think ??? NEVER HEARD OF THAT ONE. So here it goes. I have vulva eczema due to the pill( HUGE YEAST probelm) and a quack of a doctor who took to long to send me to a specialist who could find out why my vulva was spliting bleeding and cracking and Cherry Red. That's OK now under control and does not crack, split or bleed anymore. Little red at times but no big deal. My problem now is , My vulva has suffered over the long wait to find out what it was and have lost feeling, and labia and clitiors have shrunk. Started viagra did well( given my Boston Doctor) but it's back to where is was before. Since you never get rid of eczema you have it for life you just have to control it. So I'm wondering if anyone out here may have heard of this. NO ONE ELSE HAS inc. my specialist and the fine doctor in Boston. Any help and I will thank you a million times over. Or if anyone know's about a link between FSD and eczema. Thanks again.

Are you sure that's what it is, or did they just give it that name because of the irritation and skin probems? It might be something like vulvodynia or lichen sclerosis (sp?). It could be something else triggered by the yeast infections. Here's some info.<P>What is Vulvodynia?<P>The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) defines Vulvodynia as chronic vulvar discomfort or pain, characterized by burning, stinging, irritation or rawness of the female genitalia in cases in which there is no infection or skin disease of the vulva or vagina causing these symptoms. Burning sensations are the most common, but the type and severity of symptoms are highly individualized. Pain may be constant or intermittent, localized or diffuse.<P>Vulvodynia has been classified into the following subtypes:<P>Dysesthetic Vulvodynia (generalized vulvar dysesthesia)<BR>Dysesthetic Vulvodynia symptoms may be diffuse or in different areas at different times. Pain may be present in the labia majora, labia minora, and/or the vestibule. (see vulvar anatomy) Some women experience pain in the clitoris, mons pubis, perineum and/or the inner thighs. The pain may be constant or intermittent. Symptoms are not necessarily caused by touch or pressure to the vulva, i.e., with intercourse or bicycle riding, but these activities often exacerbate the symptoms.<P>Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (vulvar dysesthesia localized in the vestibule)<BR>Women with VVS have pain only in the vestibule, and only during or after touch or pressure is applied. Burning sensations are the most common symptom and may be experienced with some or all of the following: sexual intercourse, tampon insertion, gynecologic examination, bicycle riding, and wearing tight pants.<P>There are several other conditions that cause chronic vulvar pain and may coexist with Vulvodynia. The most common of these are listed below:<P>Cyclic Vulvovaginitis<BR>Women with cyclic vulvovaginitis have recurrent burning and itching symptoms at the same stage of the menstrual cycle. Many have cyclical bouts of yeast infections and some have other causes for their symptoms.<P>Vulvar Dermatoses<BR>There are many dermatologic conditions that may cause pain in the vulva. The most common include: allergic or contact dermatitis, lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex chronicus and lichen planus. These conditions may cause symptoms of itching and burning. Scratching the vulva and overusing topical medications may inflame the tissue, causing swelling and additional pain.<P>Vulvodynia, as with most chronic pain conditions, can have a profound impact on a woman’s quality of life. It typically affects her ability to engage in sexual activity and may interfere with daily functioning, e.g., sitting at a desk, engaging in physical exercise, and participating in social activities. These limitations can negatively affect self-image and lead to depression.<BR><p>[This message has been edited by Jen K (edited 26 January 2003).]

I agree with Jen K, I would look into Vulvodynia. I had the same symptoms you do, and the best treatment for me was boric acid suppositories and Premarin cream to treat the outside. The boric acid pills aren't sold normally, I had to get mine at a mom and pop pharmacy, but you can make them yourself. You'll need the boric acid from the pharmacy and the empty glycerin pills. The boric acid helped to change my ph levels, I was too basic and needed to be more acidic in my vagina. The off ph levels were causing my yeast infections and soreness.<BR>Hope this helps. Best of luck.<P>Hollywood

Hello, No I know for a fact that I have eczema. I see one of the top vulva specialist in th US and have had a biopsy (sp)? done. So I know that is what I have. Lucky me !!!!!

Rain,<P>I don't know what to tell you but I'm thinking about your problem. If I learn anything I'llpass it on.<P>Hang in.<P>I

Thank you VERY much I.

I have ezcema too, very bad, on the rest of my body, and maybe there as well...! thanks for posting this, as it gave me a new idea of what my problem might be... I too have a lack of feeling, etc...

Rain,You say you started viagra and did well but it's back to where is was before.You mean Viagra worked for you at first but now it doesn't?

What I am saying is I did GREAT on viagra. Did so well that I thought it was worth a try without it. Things went good for about maybe 2 weeks. Then my problems came back. Because the side affect's for me are NOT good I don't like to take it. I do because I want to go back to the way I was. So it has NOITHING to do with the Viagra, it has to do with the other skin problems that I have. I Hope answered this and you understood it.

Sorry pinky,meant to direct my post to RAIN.<P>RAIN: I found this German article and thought you could be interested. The rest of the article is in german.This is the summary:<P>Fifty-three patients with psoriasis, 24 patients with atopic eczema and 52 controls with healthy skin were compared with regard to their sexual behavior. For the test, questionnaires developed by Arentewicz as well as our own questionnaire on sexuality and partnership were used. Patients with skin diseases had a significantly impaired sex life, compared to those with healthy skin. There was a highly significant reduction in the exchange of tenderness in patients of both sexes, and in the capacity for orgasm in female patients. On the other hand, no significant difference was found concerning the frequency of intercourse. Patients with psoriasis felt more impaired than those with atopic eczema. Ninety-three percent of psoriatics and 96% of patients with atopic eczema had not been asked about their sexual life by their attending doctor. We discuss to what extent skin diseases are possibly involved in the regulation of nearness and distance among partners. The dermatologist should a be knowledgeable and understanding source for patients which skin diseases who have questions about their disease and its effect on their sex life.<BR>Hautarzt 1997 Sep;48(9):629-33 <P>