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Noticed Green Discharge And Painful Sex After Radical Hysterectomy, Chemo And Radiation Therapy. What Is The Cure?

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Posted on Fri, 22 Nov 2013
Twitter Fri, 22 Nov 2013 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 11 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on
Question : Hello, I'm writing this as my daughter, who is 44 is having problems after a radical hysterectomy, chemo and radiation. one inch of her vagina had to be removed. She is having much burning when urinating, soap seems to aggravate, sex very painful. Her doctor told her that nothing could be done to relieve the problem and only suggesting was anal sex. I cannot believe that this problem can't be fixed. I know the radiation must have burned the vagina, but how can this heal. She has also had green discharge which the doctor checked and said it wasn't a problem. It sounds like an infection to me. This was the first checkup since surgery, chemo and radiation. Her surgery was in April, she finished chemo and radiation in July.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Hi and welcome to XXXXXXX Detailed Answer: Yes,this is complex problem after such procedures. Not just radioth,but also surgery causes certain damage to vaginal wall and healing may take up to 6-10 months. Also,vagina may be too short and during intercourse it can lead to certain difficulties. Discharge is also commonly seen and it is sign of infection,but also it can be sign of sinus or fistula inside vagina and she should do gynecological exam with colposcopy to rule this out. IF there is vagina wall defect, it can be repaired surgically. To rule out infection she should do vaginal smear and blood tests and then the right antibiotic can be used. Treatment is not easy and even if infection is healed,dispareunia may persist. She can try with lubricants and inform her partner to be more gentle during the intercourse. Vaginal dryness may be improved with estrogens. All in all,I know that this is very bothering,but she should be patient and wait for some time till everything heals. Of course,if there is infection or fistula,it should be managed properly. Wish you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich

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Practicing since :2008

Answered : 13886 Questions

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Noticed Green Discharge And Painful Sex After Radical Hysterectomy, Chemo And Radiation Therapy. What Is The Cure?

Brief Answer: Hi and welcome to XXXXXXX Detailed Answer: Yes,this is complex problem after such procedures. Not just radioth,but also surgery causes certain damage to vaginal wall and healing may take up to 6-10 months. Also,vagina may be too short and during intercourse it can lead to certain difficulties. Discharge is also commonly seen and it is sign of infection,but also it can be sign of sinus or fistula inside vagina and she should do gynecological exam with colposcopy to rule this out. IF there is vagina wall defect, it can be repaired surgically. To rule out infection she should do vaginal smear and blood tests and then the right antibiotic can be used. Treatment is not easy and even if infection is healed,dispareunia may persist. She can try with lubricants and inform her partner to be more gentle during the intercourse. Vaginal dryness may be improved with estrogens. All in all,I know that this is very bothering,but she should be patient and wait for some time till everything heals. Of course,if there is infection or fistula,it should be managed properly. Wish you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards