I have been dealing with what feels UTI symptoms since early April. 7 courses of antibiotics later, a very painful cystoscopy, a yeast infection, BV, and now AV (and a 15 lb weight loss that I did not want). During this entire time I have been using replens with the hope that some of the pain and burning would ease up a bit. But it didn’t. It turns out that the replens has been making things worse. I have been having this very unusual white tissue like discharge in addition to swelling, redness and severe burning. Turns out it is the replens! Anyone else experience this? And any suggestions on a more natural product that has been successful at treating or at least reducing this horrible pain. Anyone using Bioidentical hormones for AV?
I had to start on estrace and Intrarosa which has helped. I had pretty much the same scenario you described. Good luck.
I have never used replens. A lot of women use organic coconut oil (including myself). However, some women apparently are allergic to it. I use it as a vag suppository. Keep it chilled in the fridge to make it more solid and spoon out a small amount. If you just want to use it externally room temp is fine.
I do not get UTI's, but had an infection that was recently resolved with flagyl. If you read through different posts you will see that women have to try many cures before hopefully finding what works.
I am now using a steroid ointment externally and was using Estradiol cream, but that started to burn. The doc has told me to cut it back to 2x a week.
There seems to be a lot of guesswork on the part of doctors. Doesn't seem that anything is clear cut. Bodies react differently or they have different problems that aren't easily diagnosed. Not sure which.
Good luck.
Julie,
I could have written your post! My saga started with IV antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia this past November. I ended up with a yeast infection. I used two Monistat 7's. Then, the dr. discovered I had a BV as well due to the antibiotics killing the good bacteria. I used a tube of Metrogel. The Metrogel caused another yeast infection, so two more tubes of Terconazol. I have been suffering since. I have been to four gynecologists and a dermatologist and diagnosed with everything from irritation to vulvodynia and VA by a pelvic pain specialist. He started me on estrace every day and it exacerbated my burning to the point that I could barely sit. I discontinued it after about ten days of daily use and began using hydrocortisone 1% ointment recommended by my dermatologist. I believe this has helped the most. Today, I picked up an rx for lidocaine 3%/hydrocortisone 0.05% and used it tonight. At first it didn't seem to help, then the burning stopped for a while until it wore off. I am going to pick up a rx for estradiol compounded cream after I return from a mini vacation. I have no hope that this will either. As far as Replens, I used this after the yeast and bacterial creams and the burning became worse. Yes, the white "toilet paper-like" discharge has something to do with shedding of the vaginal walls. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I will post whether or not the compound has helped me, for nothing has helped 100% so far. Funny thing, I never knew I had VA until after the IV antibiotics and all the different creams I've used. Good luck!
Wish I could help , I need help too what does I'm been using Replens for 2 months and yes same white discharge has stopped but have very bad rawness in both entrance sides, don't know what else to do either and don't want to get worse trying new things and Dr will most likely say it's hormone time but I' really shouldn't have since I had hysterectomy for endometrial cancer but can't stay like this either
Julie,
I had the same negative reaction to Replens. I also cannot tolerate coconut oil. I was advised to try estradiol but that didn't work either. Three different attempts compounded with Vit E, safflower oil , and olive oil. All proved to be too abrasive for my skin. I'm going to try estrace compounded with Vaseline. I'm hoping it will work. My new Dr strongly advised using an estrogen to get some positive relief from all the negative symptoms of AV. I have major issues with urinary frequency as well. Life is tough!
Hi Julie, I have had the UTI thing and burning/itching. Having gone down the route of hormone pessaries just to get a smear done, I now seem to have controlled things to a tolerable level. I use a combination of a 1% steroid ointment and Sudocreme, and I drink cider vinegar in water daily - which I swear has sorted out the recurring UTI symptoms! You can get one already mixed with honey in health food shops!
I use pure organic cold pressed coconut oil externally and internally every time I go to the toilet. I also apply vit e oil (squeezed out from a 400iu oral capsule) internally once a day. Before I go to been insert a key e suppository or Yes oil based lube from an applicator. I cannot use water based products because whatever else is in there stings me. So I only use natural organic oils.
I thimk im at start of all this. Started 3 months ago with utis, no blood,no discharge, no pain -which had five lots of antibiotics for e coli. Last urine culture clear but i am left with urinary frequency especially all night, up to eight times. Tried vagufem but seemed to keep me awake. No help for bladder. Daytime bladder is irritable feeling but can go for two hours or so without voiding but not at night. Whats going on? All dr has said is see urologist and he wants to do a rigid cystoscopy which im scared about as everyone says it will make me bleed and urination will be sore. I have asked first for ultrasound but he says it wont show much. Is this kidney problem or bladder problem? Can anyone help, my sleep is so disturbed and i am waking in night feeling hot inside but no external temp? Whats is that? Also dr said my CRP level is up. Something is not right i feel just ill.
You sound just like me and I put up with it for weeks until I spoke to my doctor. He said it was common in post menopausal women and gave me estriol cream. I was so desperate when I agreed the estriol cream and couldn't wait to start it. The burning and stinging was getting me down. I got the cream late morning and used it there and then expecting great things. Well it made not one bit of difference if anything felt worse. I had to use it every day for two weeks then three times a week now once a week. It is much better now but still not right. I spoke at length to my doctor about not wanting to take anything remotely connected to HRT he told me there was a very small amount of oestrogen in estriol and he would struggle to fine any in my bloodstream if he did a test. Since then I have read various articles on estriol and it has a lot of advantages in taking it. Read up about it yourself. I have used moisturisers but to no avail the worst one being YES VM it was awful. I am using estriol on its own and things are getting better. But don't expect miracles these things take a while to work. This is a great forum and you find more people with exactly the same symptoms. Everyone is different though some people find relief one way but the estriol is a good way for me.
I have never heard of intrarosa. I will research it. Thanks!
Hi Lorrie, I did not know I had VA either until all of this craziness started. My husband and I are scheduled to go on vacation next week and I just made him cancel the trip. I cannot go anywhere...,struggling to keep my job at this point as I cannot sit for long. The burning and pain are terrible . I am so disappointed that every single doctor who assessed me and that unusual discharge had no idea it was the replens. Not even my gynaecologist. As for the creams, I’m assuming those are just getting used externally so what are you using internally for relief? BTW, I was given Relactagel for BV. It had to be ordered in by Shoppers Drug Mart (I’m in Canada) but worked very well. It is all natural and does not cause yeast infections. I hope you enjoy your getaway and thanks for your reply.
My doctor just recommended what I think is a new product called Gynatrof. It does not contain glycerin or parabins like the replens does. I bought it last night but haven’t used it yet. I’m hoping it helps. Not all stores carry it yet. It can also be purchased on line. It sure sounds, from everything I have read that topical HRT works best. I haven’t started that either but I will if it means I get my life back.
Hi Patricia,
I just cannot believe not one doctor told me to stop the Replens. It has definitely worsened all of symptoms. Clearly, I’m not the only person with this reaction. So frustrating. Seeing a naturopath tomorrow. I’m ready to try estrogen but my tissues are so damaged right now from the replens I need wait it out. Easier said than done. I would love to try coconut oil as I use it everywhere else but I have read that it can do more harm than good. I just replied to someone else about Gynatrof. I haven’t used it yet but will try as soon as things heal a little.
Ultrasound does not show the tissues inside the bladder. I had the cystoscopy. Not a pleasant experience but the discomfort doesn’t last long and it did give me peace of mind to know my bladder was fine. I also just had a CT Scan of kidneys as I do have blood in my urine and kidney pain. If you don’t have either of those, hopefully your kidneys are fine.
Are you still using the hormone pessaries? I am going to try the apple cider vinegar today. Thanks.
I just ordered the water based Yes product online but it has not arrived yet. I am a big supporter of coconut oil but am reluctant to use it internally. The oils have not affected the ph balance in there?
Hi Olive
I just ordered the Yes product. Hopefully I don’t react to that too. But I am definitely going to ask about the estriol. It seems a lot of women are having success with that. I think I need more than a vaginal moisturiser at this point. Thanks for your reply.
Hello,
I completely agree with the guesswork comment. I think I will give the coconut oil a try. So many women seem to be using it with no adverse reactions. Thanks for your post.
Julie, I am not using anything internally. Every doctor has prescribed only external options. I, too, wonder how an external cream can help internally.