r/vulvodynia • u/TradeAutomatic6222 • 4d ago

Pain increased by period?

Does anyone else here have increased burning during this time? I usually have it the week before and then sometimes during.

Does anyone have advice on how to lessen the burn? Lidocaine, heat, and stretching don't work :/

1 Upvotes

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u/Old_Bat6894 4d ago

There's a good chance your symptoms are hormonally mediated then. Try estrogen testosterone cream. Just be aware that the base of creams can irritate people. Get it from a compounding pharmacy, and request samples of plain bases to find one that works for you before paying for a whole tube. The only base that works for me is Hydroxyethylcellulose or methylcellulose gel with no preservative. Check out this research article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050116115300106?__cf_chl_rt_tk=luUTbyb3Mf8pykPa7y6GWXIkf7skxszOzDB2gxN3iLQ-1779971412-1.0.1.1-KUdVra5kZ8TLAe8tBZYKdq85kUvqiCO1PdhHM3cWsB4

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u/TradeAutomatic6222 4d ago

My doctor and my gyn both have refused more than once to give me estrogen cream. It's so irritating. I wonder if it's increased muscle tone during this time too, because I do have hypertonic pelvic floor

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u/Old_Bat6894 4d ago

That's bullshit. This is such a simple treatment that is effective for so many people and has such little side effects. Go to a different doctor!!! I had to go to a few different gynocologists/ specialists before I found one that would actually prescribe me the things I need. Seriously, do not give up. Eventually you will find someone who will listen.

Do you live in America?

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u/TradeAutomatic6222 3d ago

It's incredibly hard here in Canada to get a different doctor who won't start the process all over again

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u/Old_Bat6894 3d ago

I belive you, it's fucking hard. You gotta get pushing though, get the treatment you deserve. Start the process all over again if you must. It's infuriating that we have to do this but we do

You can get estrogen cream on the website "all day chemist" with no prescription of any sort. It's in a traditional commercial base tho so just be aware that it's possible it will be irritating. But for many people it is just fine so it's worth a try!!!

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u/TradeAutomatic6222 3d ago

I think I'll have to. I'm on a waitlist for a pain management specialist. Maybe they'll know what to do.

And thank you so much for the website. I'll go have a look at that now!

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u/cloverred 2d ago

My pain also increases around my period, it was initially suggested that I may be having an allergic reaction to my own period blood, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't what was happening.

Recently I've figured out that I keep getting thrush the week before my period - turns out it can be triggered by hormonal changes! Now I take fluconazole every month the week before my period and it seems to be helping- although my nerves are taking a long time to fully recover