Question:
Female Issues and dehydration

Hello all. I had an Open RNY in October 2000. I constantly struggle with water and find that I get slightly dehydrated a lot. I am working on this though. My question is this. Do any of you females, when you get dehydrated, get burning pain in your vaginal area on the skin? The skin gets red and inflamed. There are no sores or odors or discharge and no itching or any other pain, so this is not an infection or STD. It only happens right after I get out of the shower, until my vagina has a chance to resecrete itself (which sometimes takes a while). It's like the soap and washing the area irritates it. However, I have not changed any soaps or detergents, and I am not using any new products. I thought this might be linked to dehydration and wanted some input on that. Thanks    — skennedy (posted on August 21, 2002)

August 20, 2002
Hi Siobhan, I am having the same problem and I also struggle with my fluid intake. I would not have thought that the two could be related, but a very good possibility. I was so concerned with my 'private problem' that I went to my Gyn, had the whole 9 yards done, and they couldn't find anything. Everything came back normal. I kinda wanted some answer so that it could be treated. I am 9 1/2 post and it has been going on since Mar/April and it is driving me crazy. I have noticed a pattern though that it is worse the week or two before my period. During and after, it is not much of a problem. I was relating it to being a hormonal fluctuation thing. When it began in the spring, I thought that I had a yeast infection and tried to treat it as one with no relief. If you figure this out PLEASE let me know! Thanks for asking this question, I thought I was the only one.
   — Cheri M.

August 21, 2002
I don't know if it is related to the dehydration issue, but I have the same problems with some soaps. I have switched to either a moisturizing body wash or a non-soap cleanser (like baby wash or Aveeno) and don't have any more problems with it.
   — ctyst

August 21, 2002
Hi. I'm not a Dr. or anything but I once had a problem similiar to this before I had the surgery and my PCP told me that since I wasn't getting enough fluids in the acid in my urine was very concentrated and I was in essance "burning" myself. Increase your fluids and you'll dilute the acid and this problem should go away. If you can't drink water - add a little lemon or lime to it, drink Gatoraid, Crystal Light or one of the non-carbonated water drinks out there. Just my humble opinion, hope it helps. Good Luck!
   — Leah H.