Dryness and itching

[iagra]

Question to ladies. Anyone notices vaginal dryness and itching since diagnosed with PBC? I suppose it can be completely unrelated. Just wonder, if anybody has this symptom and if it is possibly connected to PBC.

Thanks.

[PBCRobert Partner]

Firstly, I am not a lady but I have heard this question many times.

Many people with PBC often have Sicca Syndrome (sometimes called Sjogren's Syndrome, but Sjogren's is just one possible reason for Sicca Syndrome). Anyway, Sicca Syndrome is associated with dry eyes, dry mouth, and (in women) vaginal dryness. Itch isn't a symptom as such, but could be caused by the dryness.

Whilst all of these symptoms are comfortable, they tend not to be indicative of anything more serious. That said, in your case it may or may not be down to Sicca Syndrome.

This is just general information and does not, in any way, replace the need to have a chat with your clinician.

[iagra in reply to PBCRobert]

Thank you for this information, Robert! I'll look into this.

[Diane62]

I suffer from external vaginal itching but have been diagnosed with Sjogrens Syndrome recently. Diane

[Mg40 in reply to Diane62]

I have same problem. How did you find out about SS. Blood test or biopsy? Was it your gynecologist who asked for these tests?

[iagra in reply to Mg40]

I also would like to know how was SS diagnosed? Thanks!

[iagra]

Sorry, you have the same problem as me! How was Sjogrens was diagnosed? Blood test? I've searched and found that ANA marker may be used.

[Wilmahair]

Yes so much so I have now been diagnosed with Lichen Slerosis.

[iagra in reply to Wilmahair]

Thanks! Hope you get better!

[Jlruggie in reply to Wilmahair]

Lichen, what, I have that too. Lichen schlerosis caused vaginal adhesions skin closing my clitoris for god's sakes. Thank god for an awesome boyfriend and world expert gynochologist, I arrested it. It's like a skin disorder maybe like psoriasis I'm imagining. Skin doctors prescribe clobosetal for psoriasis too and that's what my gyno prescribed for lichen. I'm taking 1/4 estrogen applicator 2x per week too for dryness. Workin great.

[195748 in reply to Wilmahair]

Hi Wilmahair. I don't know what lichen slerosis is but I have oral lichen planus which was picked up by my dentist and required a biopsy of the inside of my cheek. Apparently it is linked to autoimmune disease x

[Wilmahair in reply to 195748]

Well it's another auto immune disease that causes terrible itching tearing and scaring of the outer vaginal opening and clitorus. My Dr prescribed Diprosone OV Ointment and also the oveston cream to be inserted 2xweekly. It is diagnosed by a biopsy that can be quite painful in such a tender area. Not much fun. Most of the time I can keep it under control and also enjoy a healthy sex life. Just have to be more careful esp with dryness as the skin is very fragile but my first symptoms were dryness and itching. Used to drive me potty. Now I have a jug in my bathroom and every time I use my bowels to keep everything healthy down there I use about a dessert spoon of bicarb of soda to a litre of warm water and wash whole area. We have very hot long summers here so it was a fantastic way to keep my skin healthy down there. Hope this is of help to any other sufferers out there. Oh and ditch the soap down there. Just another agrivater you don't need.

[Wocket]

Yes I had it really bad but doctors have put me on hormone replacement patches and vagifem. I also find eperderm cream not ointment has helped no end so much so that I feel normal most of the time

[iagra in reply to Wocket]

Thanks for this info! Best to you!

[Jlruggie]

yes I itched something awful, used to dab listerine on and sometimes leave it there to stop itching and heal self and boyfriend inflicted scratches and abrasions. It worked but didn't get to the etiology of the disorder. Go to a gynocologist and make sure you don't have adhesions or lichen schlerosis. I do. I insert a 1/4 applicator of estrogen cream for itching and vaginal dryness and clobosetol for lichen schlerosis, Gyno prescribed. No itching or dryness, sex is awesome and estrogen is supposed to enhance completion. Do your annual mamos and weekly thorough manual palpations for breast tumors. I'm 60 this year, lovin life, planning to live to 110.

Jlruggie

[iagra in reply to Jlruggie]

Thanks for the info and positive message! All the best to you!!