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What Causes Irritation And Dryness In Vagina?
Posted on
Wed, 9 Mar 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 9 Mar 2016
Answered on
Fri, 20 May 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : having sharp intense pain occasionally on right side have on an off for awhile found if I drank alchol at first triggered so don't drink much only water 99 percent of time. had ultra sound 4 years ago found nothing. but continue then started urgency of urination. last 3 months more burning sensation, thought maybe possible yeast infection so bought a kit, as injecting felt a burst a large amount bright blood. that seem to subside some of symtoms. prior to that I felt a small burst in side the vagina an felt some kind of secretion but no blood since then the sharpe nerve pain I was feeling also now attacks that burst area. its not a daily thing but at least 1 to 2 days a week. pain can shoot a a stabbing knife while sitting straight up or sitting an leaning on my left side, pain starts left side then can feel just inside on the very lower end of vagina. just had a pap done an doctor looked to see any ulcers or growths an didn't see anything, she thought cervix looks good waiting for results. I did request urine text came back no infection. but there was blood found in urine will wait week an take another urine test to see if blood could be from pap test. cant get antibodent no infection. 59 years not related to sexual activity cuz husband is older an has sexual disfuntion for 9 years. will have ultrasound in 2 weeks an urine test again in a week. any suggestions to check. I have a high toleration of pain. but is so servee at times I could scream feels like having a open sore an poring salt on it. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Low estrogen. Vaginal dryness/ vaginitis should be ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. Followings are my comments:
According to your information, vaginal irritation or pain may be due to vaginal dryness in relation with pH imbalance and low estrogen (common at your age).
Dryness and thinning of the vagina (vaginal atrophy) that follows drop in estrogen around menopause is the most common cause of above clinical features. Less estrogen means less vaginal lubrication.
In some women, it can lead to a feeling of vaginal tightness with pain, burning or soreness. Inflammation and irritation can develop into atrophic vaginitis, leading to greater discomfort and sometimes to tearing and bleeding of tissue.
Urinary tract condition should be properly evaluated by routine, microscopic and culture test of urine. Irritable bladder syndrome or interstitial cystitis should be ruled out through Cystoscopy.
In my opinion besides the ultrasound scan and pap smear, I would also consider complete hormone profile (serum estrogen level, FSH etc), a Trans Vaginal Ultrasound scan, and Colposcopy (if needed) for complete evaluation of the case and pinpoint the diagnosis.
Until then, following measures could be helpful in your case:
1) Use vaginal moisturizer cream like RepHresh pH gel or VAGISIL cream to avoid irritation and maintain vaginal pH. Estradiol patch or cream may be required. Maintain genital hygiene properly.
2) Wear only cotton clothes. Don't wear any tight fitting clothes/ underwear to avoid repeated friction/ irritation. Take sound sleep adequately.
3) Take healthy diet with anti oxidant (like Vitamin -E or C, Selenium, Zinc etc) supplements. Drink plenty of water or juice for better systemic circulation. You must LIMIT Salty/ Sugary/ Fatty foods.
4) Avoid chemical cosmetics, perfume or scented bath products around genital area. Keep the area mostly dry.
Hope, I have answered your query. Wish your good health and take care.
For future query, you can directly approach me through
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326
Regards,
Low estrogen. Vaginal dryness/ vaginitis should be ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. Followings are my comments:
According to your information, vaginal irritation or pain may be due to vaginal dryness in relation with pH imbalance and low estrogen (common at your age).
Dryness and thinning of the vagina (vaginal atrophy) that follows drop in estrogen around menopause is the most common cause of above clinical features. Less estrogen means less vaginal lubrication.
In some women, it can lead to a feeling of vaginal tightness with pain, burning or soreness. Inflammation and irritation can develop into atrophic vaginitis, leading to greater discomfort and sometimes to tearing and bleeding of tissue.
Urinary tract condition should be properly evaluated by routine, microscopic and culture test of urine. Irritable bladder syndrome or interstitial cystitis should be ruled out through Cystoscopy.
In my opinion besides the ultrasound scan and pap smear, I would also consider complete hormone profile (serum estrogen level, FSH etc), a Trans Vaginal Ultrasound scan, and Colposcopy (if needed) for complete evaluation of the case and pinpoint the diagnosis.
Until then, following measures could be helpful in your case:
1) Use vaginal moisturizer cream like RepHresh pH gel or VAGISIL cream to avoid irritation and maintain vaginal pH. Estradiol patch or cream may be required. Maintain genital hygiene properly.
2) Wear only cotton clothes. Don't wear any tight fitting clothes/ underwear to avoid repeated friction/ irritation. Take sound sleep adequately.
3) Take healthy diet with anti oxidant (like Vitamin -E or C, Selenium, Zinc etc) supplements. Drink plenty of water or juice for better systemic circulation. You must LIMIT Salty/ Sugary/ Fatty foods.
4) Avoid chemical cosmetics, perfume or scented bath products around genital area. Keep the area mostly dry.
Hope, I have answered your query. Wish your good health and take care.
For future query, you can directly approach me through
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
hi thank you for the suggestions an I will look into these recommendations. any suggestions where I know the sharp trickel pain that shoots down possible in the left side ovary to where in feels like just in side the vagina wall where I had something burst that was a handful of bright red blood feels like a open wound. during examination my doctor could not see it. I know its there cuz I feel it when I lay down on my back an sitting straight up or when I lay on leftside. what could be done to find this. feels like a pulseing throbbing stabbing stabbing pain like pouring salt over a open wound. I was opening for a medication or antibioctic medcation would help thev pain an possible close the wound. but like I mention my doctor could not see it. not sure way cuz I can feel it at the very bottom of the opening of the vagina on leftside maybe a fingertip in an with the pain comes a burning on fire sensation at time almost feels like a little urine or something liqid dripping on wound but not enough to say I have bladder leakage ita only when I get the shooting pain an it occurs 2 to 3 times a week an mainly when I am in bed an I urinate every 2 to 3 hours in severe case I will urinate every hour while in bed. I will say pain an on fire I feel when so severe I will takw a small ice cube in inject inside to cool down don't know what else to do I drink water every hour if I don't during these episodes will feel dry an cuz even more pain. what could be done to help find this wound I feel I would think my doctor should of been able to see something durrin my pap exam. thank you hope any suggestion can help me XXXXX
wanted to make sure you received my question I submitted it but not sure if it is being processed thank you XXXXX
wanted to make sure you received my question I submitted it but not sure if it is being processed thank you XXXXX
Brief Answer:
Colposcopy should be done in this case.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,
Welcome back again. Received your followup and following are my additional suggestions:
1) Beside vaginitis, we need to rule out some other associated pathology like Vaginal fissure/ incontinence, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Cervical erosion etc through proper clinical examination and investigations.
2) Investigation includes: Colposcopy (depending on Pap Smear test result) is the FIRST preference in this case. Urine analysis for infection, Vaginal XXXXXXX test, complete blood count, diagnostic laparoscopy (for PID) etc may be needed to carry out following your doctor's consultation.
3) You must take a consultation from Gastroenterologist also to rule out and treat intestinal pathology if any.
Hope, it helps for your information. Good luck and take care.
Regards,
Colposcopy should be done in this case.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,
Welcome back again. Received your followup and following are my additional suggestions:
1) Beside vaginitis, we need to rule out some other associated pathology like Vaginal fissure/ incontinence, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Cervical erosion etc through proper clinical examination and investigations.
2) Investigation includes: Colposcopy (depending on Pap Smear test result) is the FIRST preference in this case. Urine analysis for infection, Vaginal XXXXXXX test, complete blood count, diagnostic laparoscopy (for PID) etc may be needed to carry out following your doctor's consultation.
3) You must take a consultation from Gastroenterologist also to rule out and treat intestinal pathology if any.
Hope, it helps for your information. Good luck and take care.
Regards,
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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