I have been suffering from this condition for over 2 yrs. I am very keen and desperate to find out more about this stubborn condition. I have read a few articles on this topic from this website and found this useful. I can also say that in the past i had a few episodes of thrush so yeah this just followed. I became just too sensitive 'down there' and this has obviously created a big stress on my relationship. I have changed my diet and studied nutrition course which uses natural techniques how to help the body to detoxify. I am also in that age where im thinking of starting a family but this is not gonna happen just yet for obvious reason.

I just would like to hear from other women who are/have been/ were going through the same problem and maybe share the  knowledge and experience with treating this condition.

Thank you

Kam

Hi Kam

You need to see a vulval pain specialist, not just a gynaecologist. (Or maybe you've done that already) In the meantime keep chemical nasties away from the area as much as poss. This means avoiding soaps, detergents (eg bubble baths), preservatives, artificial perfumes etc, synthetic underwear, (some people forego underwear & just wear a long skirt), sanitary protection with chemical fluid holding gels can also be a problem. Try Natracare unbleached cotton pads or tampons, or 'Moon cup' re-usable menstrual cup. Above all, don't use thrush creams. They either seem to cause vestibulodynia or, possibly, what's diagnosed as thrush is actually something else. If you think you have thrush get a swab taken before they try to treat it. If you need something soothing try cool plain yoghurt, pure aloe vera, Aveeno bath sachets (£££ but cheaper on prescription).

I suggest you make contact with the Vulval Pain Society through their website:

www.vulvalpainsociety.org

They can give you loads of further info re treatments / self help remedies and there are a couple of internet support groups  they can put you in touch & they are very helpful. 

All the best

Shirley

Hi Kam,

 There used to be a consultant obstetrician in Bristol who had a list of trusted complementary therapists to whom she used to refer some of her patients.  My wife had a few client referrals from her for hypnotherapy and got some very good results.

 Hope this is helpful

 Chris

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Chris Clarke
www.candeclarke.co.uk
www.hypnotherapiesbristol.com
www.hypnotherapist.org.uk
www.stressmanagers.co.uk

Thanks for yr reply. You have mentioned quite lots of things that are very helpful and believe me, without taking a mickey, I have done them all. Im not using anything nasty, just pure water or natural stuff. I have read one email on this website from a lady who acutally used colloidal silver and zinc oxide powder. I found colloidal silver quite beneficial but zinc oxide powder can be appearantly quite nasty. This is coming from a pharmacist who said it could burn yr skin if not used appropriatelly. This email was quite old, I think from 2004, so there is no chance i could get in touch with that lady so im just doing my own research on this. Have you heard of using zinc oxide powder at all?? regards Kam.x

There is a spray called Discreet which is Tea Tree Oil and Lavender by B-Line - very soothing

Maybe probiotic powder in a good cream could help

Maybe Mexican Yam cream - or Aloe Vera

Colloidal silver is amazing - you can get a salve from Earth Force 

Hopefully your problem has been solved in the 6 weeks since you wrote - otherwise a few things you can do include elimminating wheat and too much sugar from your diet - i feel that the Miracle II moisturizing soap and Neutralizer would be soothing and healing in a bath and having both you and your partner tested to see if there is any underlying infection that needs more specific treatment, whether naturopathic or not. I bought a sitz bath so that I could sit everyday if necessary to improve circulation and health to those areas - I would recommend NOT using zinc oxide -

Jane 

Hello Kam I have had vestibulodynia since the birth of my first child. I have even had an operation I didn't need as it was originally thought that what I had was a growth of some sort or healing from a  small perineal tear... I know where you are at... HOWEVER, it seems to be turning around and after my birth of my second child I am in a different place with it. A good one. I don't know if I'd say it's gone  but I am managing it and my own fear around it which I believe can perpetuate the problem. I saw a specialist in the vulval clinic at St Thomas's in London. There are vulvl pain clinics and your gp can refer you. I used a  numbing gel for a while to reset the pain messages. A detox also helped me as has positive suggestion (replacing a fearful thought with a positive whenever it comes up-self help method!).

Best of luck

S 

Hi Kam,

Have you tried using an olive leaf capsule (or tablet) as a vaginal pessary. It will clear up pathogens. Olive leaf cream is also available from some suppliers.