Hello

[CreativeADHDLeo]

Hi everyone,

My gyno suggested I reach out to this online community for a bit of support, so I thought I would say hello and introduce myself!

I'm 29 years old, and have had pain/discomfort upon vaginal insertion since I started using tampons. I find penetrative sex, smear tests & examinations very painful, and until two years ago have never had a doctor take me seriously after any visual examination showed 'nothing was wrong'! (I first went to the doctors for my pain about 10 years ago!). I was always told pain during sex would get better with time and 'practise'...

I've since had more examinations, an ultrasound, physiotherapy, done stretching exercises, courses of Amitriptyline and then courses of Pregabalin. I'm currently in Psychosexual therapy and have an MRI coming up (which I'm so nervous about as I am a little claustrophobic!) but doctors still don't know what the root cause of my problems are and absolutely nothing has changed my symptoms. The closest we've gotten to is suspected Provoked Vulvodynia.

It doesn't help that my pain varies - I think that's what is stumping the doctors. Most of time I find these things like sexual intercourse extremely painful, but other times it can be quite mild. Very occasionally there will be no pain, but I won't feel anything else (like pleasure) either! I also feel pain in various places - most significantly around the entrance which is commonly associated with Vulvodynia, but often internally too.

It has been a very long and slow journey that doesn't seem to be coming to a conclusion anytime soon... it's exhausting and does put strain on my relationship (even though he is amazing about the whole thing!).

[Konagirl60]

Hi. I’m sorry you are in pain. Do you have an IUD in place? If you do, I’d remove it. They can cause harm to some unlucky people. ( I had one inserted when I was in my late 20’s and I didn’t stop bleeding for two weeks. I asked to have it removed asap )

Can you describe the pain? Does it burn? Does it tingle? Do you feel electrocuted? Are there spasms? Is it 24/7 or do certain movements make it worse? ( lifting heavy items, bending over your groin etc, )

Can you access some CBD oil or gummies with low dose THC and CBD in them? CBD really helps spasms but THC is what helps pain. CBD does not help with nerve pain.

[smg60 in reply to Konagirl60]

I suffered for years with vaginal pain. At first they thought Interstitial Cystitis, then Vulvodynia. Went through various medications (nortriptyline, pregabalin, gabapentin, even cbd/thc gummies). Also tried pelvic physiotherapy - she was highly recommended/skilled and at first it seemed to help, but it was temporary. Plus, after our health plan reached its' maximum, it became pretty costly.... At one point I had a bladder prolapse and had surgery to repair it, but eventually the pain returned. An awful burning pain nearly every time I peed. Brought me to tears at times. Lasted from a few minutes to over 30 minutes. Finally saw a specialist (Urogynecologist) and she prescribed muscle relaxants (Cyclobenzaprine) 10 mg 3 times a day. The pain stopped. It was incredible! However, after a year or so, they were less effective and the pain started returning. She then prescribed Intrarosa (Prasterone) vaginal inserts and the pain stopped again. It has been nearly 2 years and as long as I use it every day, there is no more pain. It's been a miracle for me! I also still take 2 of the muscle relaxants every day.

[Konagirl60 in reply to smg60]

I’m SO glad you have found some relief.

There are natural supplements and tinctures that block pain. Turmeric pills and / or tincture used everyday really helps with pain.

Passionflower tablets help with anxiousness, stress, pain and sleep.

Be well. Sending cheer your way.m

[CreativeADHDLeo in reply to smg60]

I'm sorry to hear you've had to go through all that, but really interesting about the Introsa, I shall have to look into that! I'm so glad you've found something that helps!

[smg60 in reply to CreativeADHDLeo]

My specialist told me the Intrarosa was specifically developed for women with vaginal atrophy/pain during intercourse.

[CreativeADHDLeo in reply to Konagirl60]

No IUD and I've tried CBD but that's done nothing, I've not heard of THC, I shall look into that!!

So the pain is fortunately not constant and only appears upon penetration. It feels like a horrendous sharp stretching mostly focused to the lower circumference around my opening (what a bunch of words to type in an open forum!!) and then the inner pain is duller but very uncomfortable, sharpening and getting worse the longer sex goes on for.

[Konagirl60 in reply to CreativeADHDLeo]

Too bad. You could ask for Compounded Valium 10 mg vaginal suppositories to insert after having intercourse. They are effective. Just a thought.