Any tips for irritation?

Submitted by fc12 on August 6, 2009 - 7:15pm
Body: 

HI all

Just wondering whether anyone has some tips relating to irritation around the vaginal opening and on the vulva assumedly caused by prolapse?

I remember someone mentioned Vitamin E ointment and was wondering whether you use that internally or externally?

I'm 32 and do have reasonable discharge so I don't think lack of lubrication is an issue. I guess the prolapses are just rubbing the introitus(?). When I first developed cystocele 7 months ago it was mild. I can tell that it has recently gotten worse and, while no bigger, sits lower, just at the entrance. I have also developed a rectocele (I assume).

Early to late afternoon not only do I feel heavier but the irritation increases. I find it hard to deal with and it brings me down - well the entire prolapse thing makes me feel pretty awful to be frank. Especially after it has got worse like this.

So, any tips would be welcomed. Also, I'm thinking of beginning to use a tampon as a pessary on those busier days. Stupid question but does the tampon get intserted vertically or horizontally? My PT said horizontal but that hurts.

Many thanks to you all

louiseds

August 7, 2009 - 1:54am

Hi Fc12

I was using vitamin E ointment (cream actually - ointment is greasy) for vulval irritation several years ago, probably the first two years of doing WW techniques. I used to get all sorts of irritation, thrush and general chafing around the vulva. I used vitamin E cream before WW Balms were invented.

There were three types of chafing happening. The first was too much coitus without warming up (Who do I blame for that?). The second type was the inner and outer lips rubbing together and against whatever cele was down that day. The third type was the whole vulval area rubbing on my knickers. I seem to have reached menopause, so my vagina and vulva are generally pretty dry these days. I get the labia rubbing against each other a bit but everything else has moved up, forward and away from the vulva now, so there is no pressure from above. I no longer seem to get chafed from rubbing on my knickers. Maybe all my vulval and vaginal tissue and my uterus have shrunk so much that there isn't much to rub any more. My labia seem to sit closer together so the inside of my vulva is protected from contact with my knickers and from any staining on them which might precipitate a urinary tract infection or thrush. Actually, I don't wear trousers much, just tracky daks or leggings or yoga pants. The rest of the time I wear skirts or sarongs.

I now use WW balms whenever I feel I am getting irritation or dryness in the vulval area. The solution to the chafing from knickers was to not wear knickers! I have some thigh length half slips if I need a bit of modesty in hot weather with thinner skirts. It also protects your outer clothes from any staining either from discharge or excess balm. I have found the secret to be using balm or vitamin E cream as soon as you detect the pulling and rubbing. Just put a bit on after a shower. I did find that the vitamin E cream stung a bit on inflamed tissue, but the WW Balms do not sting at all. Either way, the inflammation would go away pretty well overnight.

Prevention is much more effective than cure!

Hope this helps. Sorry if it is a repeat on something I said earlier.

Louise

Alix

August 7, 2009 - 11:57am

I am currently using a tampon AS WELL AS a ring pessary. I insert the tampon vertically then manoeuvre it round til it's horizontal. Horizontal seems to work better for me, both as support and as less likely just to get expelled again by whatever forces are trying to expel my other pelvic organs. Obviously, I don't want the tampon to dry me out inside so I hold it under the tap til it is very wet and swollen and then squeeze out some of the water. If I don't squeeze out enough then some more gets squeezed out onto the bathroom floor while I'm inserting it. I smear the tampon thoroughly with aqueous cream and I also lubricate my vaginal area inside and out, to make insertion easier.

This is early days for me in using tampons vs prolapse. I tried first to use a sponge, but with no success. My worst problem has been feeling the little string chafing painfully against my labia while I was running round the park. Luckily there is a public loo where I was able to fix it. When I first tried tampons this time around (I thought I was all finished with them, ha ha!) I only knew to insert them vertically, and then in public places I would feel the tampon painfully boring its way out of my vagina. So far inserting horizontally this has not happened, but I am still nervous it might.

I also wonder if it is really OK to go on wearing a tampon all my waking hours every day for the rest of my life? After all, for menstruation women only wear them a few days a month for part of their lives. Does anyone have a view on this, or has anyone already worn one for a long time? My pessary, because it is made of hard smooth inert plastic seems to me much less threatening.

fc12

August 9, 2009 - 6:32am

For your advice. I did write a thank you post earlier but it seems not to have loaded

Your tips are really useful. Louise your comments rang many bells for me. Before the prolapse got worse recently my main symptom was thrush which I believed was caused by the prolapse. Your explanation makes much sense.

I only really want to use the pessary (whatever kind) on a part time basis. Like when I have a busy day planned or when I go
out in the evenings ( when it seems to be at it's worst). Has anyone done this with success and NOT gone on to need to wear one full
time? Or even gotten to a point where they haven't had to weAr it at all? I do have symptoms all the time now (ho hum) but they are not dire
just pressure, irritAtion, and tampon falling out feeling.

I'm pretty sure my Stage 1prolapse has dropped to a Stage 2 or 3 and I'm so scared at 32 it's going to drop further. I don't want a pessary to cause that but also want to be rid of this feeling sometimes.

Thanking you all.

bad_mirror

August 9, 2009 - 9:38am

Check out recent posts by Judy (I can't remember her screen name -- maybe someone out there will chime in with it). She has an amazing healing story, and you may gain some hope from reading it. (I *think* it's under the "we are all third degree blog). She uses/used a tampon soaked in olive oil. She says she still uses it sometimes, but doesn't really need to anymore. So, in short, I think it is possible to use a pessary on occasion and not become slave to it as long as you are actively working to heal your prolapse in other ways.

louiseds

August 9, 2009 - 9:46am

You mean Judy who has the username Clonmacnoise?

bad_mirror

August 9, 2009 - 10:40am

Thanks, Louise.