Embarrassing Topic - Girl Stuff

Hello everyone, I am new to the over 50 forum, but I have a feeling by the looks of the rest of your posts that maybe I should have been in here all along.  

I weighed 375 in January.
Surgery February, 25
Today's weight 277.

I have a small problem and I dont know where else to turn.   I will try not to be too detailed so I dont gross you out.   My down there seems to be VERY VERY irritated lately.   Constant itching, burning and very painful.  I never had this much of a problem when I was at my highest weight.   An occasional yeast infection in the summer months, but today its a VERY constant daily battle I deal with every day.   Most of my weight is in my stomach and I have that lovely apron hanging down, which in turn makes down there sagging and droopy.  

I use All Free and Clear... I do the extra rinse.  I dont use fabric softener.
I make my husband wear a condom when I suck it up to please him.
I use a hair dryer to dry the area.  I use a shower head to rinse well in warm water.
I dont use soaps down there because it makes it worse, but the shower head does the trick I think.
I dont wear tight clothing.  I wear all cotton underwear.
I have tried Monistat 1 Day - works for the one day and then stops working even after using the vulva cream.
I have used Desitin and vaseline to protect the raw skin from urination.
It actually feels like battery acid on my skin when I go to the bathroom.  
My PCP and GYN tested for Yeast, Bacteria, STDs - everything - everything is ok.  They even gave me an assortment of creams... temporily works then stops working.
I have an IUD (Merina) Could this be it?? 

I am a mess, very embarrassed and dont know what to do.   I cant possibly be the only person this is happening to...so in the midst of my embarrassement I am opening myself up to the world and my problem.  HELP !!

Traute

sorry no help from me, but someone out there is bound to be having the same issue.  I found after surgery when I cut out most carbs and sugar the yeast growth I always had around my breast went away.  Also be use to photograph and keep a diary, you maybe able to use this to get approval from your insurance for plastic surgery. 

My sister had this.  Might be something you would want to run by your GYN.  I think she was about 48 when she started with it. 

Vaginal Health: What is Lichen Sclerosis of the Vulva?

By:
Kelly Shanahan
 

Question :

Could you give me any information about lichen sclerosis et atrophicus? What causes it? What are the symptoms? How is it different from a yeast infection? How is it treated?

Kaia

Answer :

Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus is an benign abnormality of the skin of the vulva characterized by marked thinning of the skin. It occurs in all age groups, but is most common just before puberty and in menopause. With lichen sclerosis, the vulvar skin often appears white and thin; it is often itchy. Scratching may lead to secondary infections if the skin is broken. As many vulvar conditions have the same symptoms and look similar to the naked eye, doctors often take a biopsy (sample of the skin) to make an accurate diagnosis.

The treatment for lichen sclerosis is either topical testosterone or corticosteroids. High-potency prescription steroid creams are used twice a day for two to three weeks, then once a day, usually at night, for an additional two weeks or until symptoms resolve. Often, the steroid creams will be continued indefinitely once or twice a week. The regimen for testosterone is very similar. Sometimes, simply applying lanolin or vegetable oil provides relief. It is also important to practice good hygiene, keep the vulva dry, and avoid the use of soaps, lotions and detergents. Over-the-counter antibiotic creams and anti-itch creams should not be used, as they just cause more irritation.

I've had more problems in my nether regions as things get droopy too. There was a cream that Lisa said did the trick for her if it was fungal, but with the burning... it might still be fungal. Lemme see if I can find the original post...

Here it is. Same time of year too.

Is the condom a new addition since the problems started? Maybe you have a Latex allery on top of whatever the original problem was. Just wild guesses....

First have they tested your sugar?
When i was a diabetic  i kept an infection all the time lived on diflucan..

Try Nystatin it was my miracle save....

I agree with the others could it be the condoms or are they the ones you always used?

Also keep pictures and notes of everything and talk to someone about getting your apron removed
When i had my panni removed the doctor told me that i was harboring yeast because of my apron being so big..
I wish you luck sweetie.