WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for October, 2007: Re: GYNECOLOGIC: Thin perineal skin-HELP!

Re: GYNECOLOGIC: Thin perineal skin-HELP!

From: D. Ashley Hill, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:02:45 -0500 (CDT)

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At Mon, 29 Oct 2007, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote: >
>At Tue, 2 Oct 2007, Sally wrote:
>>
>>I recently visited a doctor about painful intercourse, re-occurrent
>>yeast infections and missed periods. I am not pregnant so, we know
>>that's not the issue but, the doctor says that the skin on the bottom of
>>my vaginal opening is very thin and that it is probably the cause of my
>>pain during intercourse.

It sounds like you have excoriated skin, which means, basically, that the skin is rubbed raw. Usually this is at the bottom of the vagina, right at the entrance. This area gets the most irritation from clothing, tampons, and intercourse. One way to test this is for your or your husband to "push down" on the vaginal entrance. If that causes pain then that's the culprit.

Once infection is ruled out, your doctor should look for a vulvar skin condition (for example, squamous hyperplasia). However, sometimes just treating with a steroid ointment for 2-4 weeks does the trick. If not, then sometimes a biopsy is indicated. As a last resort, your gyn can do an outpatient procedure where a small amount of vaginal tissue is "pulled over" the sore area, which is called a flap. I saw a patient today who needed this and a year later she is pain free. Finally, please ask your gyn to rule out vulvar vestibulitis, although the treatment for this is the same as above. The good news is that with the right treatment this is highly curable. Best wishes,

-- D. Ashley Hill, MD Division Director, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology Florida Hospital Orlando Medical Director Loch Haven Ob/Gyn Group 235 East Princeton Street, #200 Orlando, Florida 32804 http://www.lochhavenobgyn.com

Please understand that due to time constraints I am unable to answer any personal emails, therefore they will receive no response.

These comments are general educational comments and should not be construed as specific medical advice. The best person to answer your health care questions is your physician or other health care provider. Thank you very much.

Next message: D. Ashley Hill, M.D.: "Re: CHRONICPAIN: what does this mean?"
Previous message: Garry Siegel, MD: "Re: GYNECOLOGIC: Thin perineal skin-HELP!"
In reply to: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: GYNECOLOGIC: Thin perineal skin-HELP!"
Next in thread: Dr. Herbert A. Goldfarb: "Re: GYNECOLOGIC: Thin perineal skin-HELP!"

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