Question:
embarrassing question of the day, Is this a hygene problem?
I am about 160 lbs overweight. I have trouble cleaning myself properly after I use the bathroom. I have a hard time raching everything because of my big belly. I frequently get pimple-like bumps in my vagina. I can squeeze them and get stuff out. Gross, huh? Are they from my cleansing problem or something else? — [Anonymous] (posted on January 16, 2002)
January 15, 2002
I get these too, yet I can reach down there no problem. I think it has
something to do with your legs rubbing together. I also get them on my
tummy or hips if I am wearing tight pants or something, or anywhere there
are fat folds. Gross! :) Mine have decreased a lot since surgery, but they
scar which sucks... oh well! Hope this helps...
— [Anonymous]
January 16, 2002
They are in the family of "boils" "Pimples" etc....
from the area being moist and not exposed to air. As you lose weight it
will go away. I promise.
— [Anonymous]
January 16, 2002
They are caused by bacteria and warmth. A great product to use daily or
every other day in the shower is Hibiclens. You can get it at CVS,
Walgreen's, Long's, etc, right off the shelf. It is an anti-bacteria wash
and using it really reduces this problem. Also, dry the area with a hair
dryer after you shower and wear white cotton undies. Color dyes in
underwear and fabrics other than cotton that don't breathe all contribute
to the bacteria/warmth problem. These ideas will all work together to keep
those bumps away and keep you fresher feeling throughout the day, too.
— [Anonymous]
January 16, 2002
I've made a purely un-scientific observation about this topic (or, closely
related, anyway). In 'surveying' my friends (and you gotta be a GOOD
friend to ask someone this! LOL) I've found that I don't know anyone who
uses douches anymore. I feel it's because of more awareness of personal
hygiene and PREVENTATIVE measures that we can use to keep our
"feminine" health more 'in tune'.. ABSOLUTELY - White COTTON
panties are on the TOP of the list. They help an area that doesn't get
much air get the MOST opportunity to 'breathe'..! While leopard-print
nylon bikinis are fun to wear at 'certain' moments.. for daily wear, you
can't beat "Hanes Her Way white cotton briefs" for keeping things
their healthiest. ALSO feminine washes and 'cleaning cloths or pads' are
becoming almost a routine for bathroom visits. Think of it this way. If
you smear peanut butter on your sofa, the try to clean it off with just a
DRY paper towel.. it's not going to get ALL of it, is it? Same thing with
our bodies. CLEAN is the key, and with just dry toilet paper, it just
isn't possible to get REALLY clean. I can relate to not being able to
reach (only now, at 5+ weeks post-op can I feel I'm 'really' getting the
job done) so I know your concerns. However, if this is a recurring problem
AFTER you are doing all you can to keep this area it's cleanest and
healthiest.. a visit to your GYN should be your next step. Could be
boils..could be vaginal warts..could be genital herpes... You need to get
an expert opinion if this doesn't clear up despite your best efforts.
— Diane E.
January 16, 2002
While we're on the subject, I get zit like things under my arms. I have
lots of black heads in my arm pit area and every once in awhile they turn
into a big cystic zit. Sometimes even on my breasts (ususally underneath).
Anyone else have this happen?
— [Anonymous]
January 16, 2002
About the zits under the arm that turn into cysts... are you using an
anti-bacterial soap?? I used to have this happen a lot, and when I started
using an anti-bacterial soap, AND switching to an anti-perspirant/deoderant
spray, they stopped. This is also a sign of hormonal imbalance,
sometimes... and the soap just helps keep them from coming back. If you are
a heavy sweater, like me, take a shower in the morning and one before you
go to bed, but leave the deoderant out after the second shower. That helped
me too. Good Luck!
— Sharon H.
January 17, 2002
I know what you are going thru but to be on the save side
when you get them again call your Gynecologist tell them about it I don't
want to scare you but it could be herpes that happend to me but it was
negative, get check please you wont regret..
— [Anonymous]
January 17, 2002
I know some of you may get tired of my PCOS & WLS posts, however, this
is a large symptom for us who have been Dx with PCOS. Here's what one
woman at the www.soulcysters.com sit had to say about her boil/acne:
"These sound like what I have - these were diagnosed by my
dermatologist as Hidradenitis Suppurtiva. It has to do with your sweat
glands, your sebaceous glands, and shaving (and of course seems to be a
symptom of PCOS). I was prescribed Benzamycin which helped keep them down
somewhat and told never to shave that area. Waxing has minimized the
outbreaks but they still come. The other alternatives my dermatologist
recommended were electrolysis (which she is trying to get my insurance
company to cover), laser hair removal, or surgery to actually remove the
glands in that area. They're awful, they're embarassing, and they hurt. I'm
35 and single and I think - how will I ever find anyone to accept this and
all the other disgusting effects of PCOS, including the inability to have
children?"....
As for me, I get them as well, on my inner thighs and my pubic area. So
far this is the only treatment suggested by posters to the site. I usually
find myself is once they are popped, they dissappear pretty fast. I've
lost about 90lbs. and I still get them. Usually they arrive in coorelation
to my period time.
— Karen R.
January 17, 2002
I also found this:
Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a skin disease that is being related to many
other illnesses. men and women BOTH get this. I have it and its actually
how i found my way to PCOS! i get cyst or boil like sores in various areas
of my body such as armpits, groin, buttocks, breasts, and also scalp, neck,
and face. there is a petition at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?1015hid&151
which is being done to raise awareness. there may be an insulin link to it
as many diabetics have it but there is also instance of crohns, ibs, cfs,
etc which many pcosers suffer from as well. please sign the petition if you
or someone you know has this condition. the petition is closing soon.
— Karen R.
March 7, 2002
I've had that on occasion. Try some nice warm baths. I also use the sprayer
from my shower-massager to help with personal hygene. I agree with the
white underwear. Beware of feminine hygene sprays.
— Maria S.
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