Vagina problems - the saga continues!
So I haven't been on here much, but a while ago I posted telling of my stupidly over-the-top regime of vaginal moisturisers. Since then I was diagnosed with Candida (non-albicans species) and I was put onto vaginal boric acid capsules. That was successful, mostly, but the thrush came back multiple times after completing the courses. I started seeing a naturopath, I'm waiting for an appointment with an Infectious Diseases doctor and today I saw a dermatologist specialising in vulva and vagina skin, and I thought I'd share my experience.
She was fabulous! I told her the whole sorry tale from the start of diagnosis and she listened and understood what I was saying and was sympathetic. She had a look (I warned her it was a good day so she might not see much) and she diagnosed me with ecsema and vulvovestibulitis as well as the thrush. She took a swab to culture, but said it's really only for interest as the treatment won't change. I have two types of cortisone and I have to see a physio for the vulvovestibulitis. She also said I need to use emulsifying ointment before my showers as a moisturiser.
So the moral of the story here is, if you have ongoing vaginal problems, get a referral to a vulva/vagina dermatologist if you can! I'll be telling my oncologist about this for the benefit of his other breast cancer patients (and other women's cancers). She said when she started about 10 years ago there was only 4 of them, but there's at least 10 now. Not sure if she meant just in Melbourne or the whole of Aus - hopefully just Melbourne! I had to wait quite a while for the appointment, and I nearly cancelled it, but thankfully my lovely husband and mother persuaded me to go. Best medical experience in a while!
