Dear Jacqui,
I've been suffering from vaginal infections everyday for the past eight months. Although, I have regular visits, my doctor doesn't have an answer for me. My symptoms include extreme dryness (the toilet paper sticks to me), soreness around my vaginal opening and clitoris; then the itching starts it feels like hundreds of African Ants are biting, finally my labia swells to the size of a large grapefruit. I can't figure it out. Jane

Dear Jane,
I am sorry to hear about your repeated vaginal problems. It is difficult for me to give you specific information because I only have a general description of what is going on and, as you say, your gynecologist has not been able to identify your condition.

I suspect that your vaginal infection was never really cured and consequently reoccurred. In each case was the specific bacteria or fungus identified? and were you given the same medication each time? It is possible that you had both a fungal as well as bacterial infection and that only one of the two was cured. Yeast infections, i.e. fungus infections do not react to all anti-fungal medication.

As to your vaginal dryness, which seems to have a part in the onset of your infection -- again, I can only make some general guesses. I am sure from your description that you are either pre-menopausal or in menopause. You probably have low estrogen levels causing less lubrication (less moisture) throughout the body are a natural condition of maturing. Your vaginal tissue gets thinner and less elastic, many women experience a change in vaginal pH from acidic to alkaline and are then more infection prone.

Here is what I would advise:Do not use ANY products in the vaginal area containing fragrance, soap (it adheres to the tissue and is irritating), chemical colors or other additives such as plant, flower or herbal additives. Do not sit in bubble baths or any bath with fragrance or chemical colored additives. Showers are safer. We have developed a very mild cleansing product that actually helps protect the delicate vaginal area against irritations because it is hard to find a "clean" product on the market.

You can read about Very Private pH balanced Body Wash on our website under products. You should also use an intimate moisturizer daily to avoid constant irritation to the vaginal tissue. Please be sure that it is FDA approved as a 501k medical device. Many lubricants and moisturizers are simple cosmetics that should absolutely not be used inside the body.

And, above all, it is really important that your infection is PROPERLY identified so that the right medication can be administered. As to the assumption that your symptoms are of an allergic nature, it is possible. So you want to really think what products you have been using for cleansing or bathing that could have caused an allergic reaction. I would also suggest that you should avoid synthetic materials in your vaginal area and for vaginal cleansing do not use a washcloth but cotton you can toss and use a fresh towel each time till your infection is cleared.

Finally, I suggest you see a licensed specialist. Contact your local hospital or www.acog.org, you will find them on our website, under resources. Get a second opinion, check references and credentials.

With kind regards, to you. Best wishes,

Jacqui





	"I've been suffering from vaginal infections everyday for the past eight months" Dear Jacqui, I've been suffering from vaginal infections everyday for the past eight months. Although, I have regular visits, my doctor doesn't have an answer for me. My symptoms include extreme dryness (the toilet paper sticks to me), soreness around my vaginal opening and clitoris; then the itching starts it feels like hundreds of African Ants are biting, finally my labia swells to the size of a large grapefruit. I can't figure it out. Jane Dear Jane, I am sorry to hear about your repeated vaginal problems. It is difficult for me to give you specific information because I only have a general description of what is going on and, as you say, your gynecologist has not been able to identify your condition. I suspect that your vaginal infection was never really cured and consequently reoccurred. In each case was the specific bacteria or fungus identified? and were you given the same medication each time? It is possible that you had both a fungal as well as bacterial infection and that only one of the two was cured. Yeast infections, i.e. fungus infections do not react to all anti-fungal medication. As to your vaginal dryness, which seems to have a part in the onset of your infection -- again, I can only make some general guesses. I am sure from your description that you are either pre-menopausal or in menopause. You probably have low estrogen levels causing less lubrication (less moisture) throughout the body are a natural condition of maturing. Your vaginal tissue gets thinner and less elastic, many women experience a change in vaginal pH from acidic to alkaline and are then more infection prone. Here is what I would advise:Do not use ANY products in the vaginal area containing fragrance, soap (it adheres to the tissue and is irritating), chemical colors or other additives such as plant, flower or herbal additives. Do not sit in bubble baths or any bath with fragrance or chemical colored additives. Showers are safer. We have developed a very mild cleansing product that actually helps protect the delicate vaginal area against irritations because it is hard to find a "clean" product on the market. You can read about Very Private pH balanced Body Wash on our website under products. You should also use an intimate moisturizer daily to avoid constant irritation to the vaginal tissue. Please be sure that it is FDA approved as a 501k medical device. Many lubricants and moisturizers are simple cosmetics that should absolutely not be used inside the body. And, above all, it is really important that your infection is PROPERLY identified so that the right medication can be administered. As to the assumption that your symptoms are of an allergic nature, it is possible. So you want to really think what products you have been using for cleansing or bathing that could have caused an allergic reaction. I would also suggest that you should avoid synthetic materials in your vaginal area and for vaginal cleansing do not use a washcloth but cotton you can toss and use a fresh towel each time till your infection is cleared. Finally, I suggest you see a licensed specialist. Contact your local hospital or www.acog.org, you will find them on our website, under resources. Get a second opinion, check references and credentials. With kind regards, to you. Best wishes, Jacqui Copyright 2003 Brandwynne Corporation. All rights reserved. Thank you for your trust.

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