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Breastfeeding and possible AV

Posted , 5 users are following.

renee72446
renee72446

Hello,

I've been trying to figure out what is going on down there for the past year with no luck. I am currently breastfeeding my 21 month old and got my period back at 18 months postpartum. For the last year and a but I have had itching in one spot above my clitoris between my labia minora and majora. It gets very dry and can peel. No discoloration. I also get a dry spot and fissures on my perineum. Also no discoloration. I do not have any fussing that I know of. I have zero sex drive and my vagina is also very dry. Does this sound more like AV or LS? My doctor hasnt done a biopsy. I guess that would be my next step.

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • jenny29645
    jenny29645 renee72446

    Posted

    Itching could be yeast or LS
    • jenny29645
      jenny29645 renee72446

      Posted

      Hey, i was misdiagnosed for like 2 years thinking i had yeast when it was LS.
    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 jenny29645

      Posted

      You mean a doctor told you you tested positive for yeast, but you didn't have it? Or did you have both without realizing you had the LS so kept treating for yeast ?

    • jenny29645
      jenny29645 beverly52803

      Posted

      Beverly, both, i had yeast initially, was treated, but the itch never stopped. I went through 2 gynos, staywd with rhe 2nd because she was very understanding. She looked in the microscope everytime saying she sees the yeast. I wasnt responding to yeast treatments, but was under the belief it was red yeast, Margarie Crandall, the yeast specialist, google her. One day i again, madening itch, my gyno did a biospy, finding early stage lichen sclerosis. Even after that, i still itched and she woukd keep tellibg ne i had yeast. I found my own spwcial lab and sent it there fir bith common and uncimmon yeast and nwgative both times! I fired my local gyno and went to a vulvar specialist up near boston who straightened me all out! I waz treatwd for desquamative vaginitus along with proper care of lichen schlerosis.

    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 jenny29645

      Posted

      I live near Boston. Who is the doctor? My itch/burn has started up after many years of comfort in that regard despite having AV. Don't know exactly what the cause is and I won't be back in MA to see anyone till the spring. In the meantime I am keeping it under control with Vit E and coconut oil.

  • beverly52803
    beverly52803 renee72446

    Posted

    Don't recall ever hearing about dry to the point of peeling with AV, but the other symptoms sound like AV. If you're young enough to be breastfeeding that also sounds early for AV. Most of us with the problem are menopausal. What do you mean by not having any "fussing".

    What is your gynecologist's diagnosis at this point? 

    • renee72446
      renee72446 beverly52803

      Posted

      My family physician has never referred me to one. I will be asking next time. He said it could be lactation atrophic vaginitis potentially
    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 renee72446

      Posted

      I never heard of "lactation atrophic vaginitis", unless the doc means what Suki says about breastfeeding. In that case, I would not think it comes under the heading of atrophy, but maybe it does. 

      BTW I am pretty old, but have never depended on a GP for any gynecological care. Throughout my younger years I saw only a gynecologist as I had very high deductible health insurance and the only consistent issues I had, birth control, etc, were gynecological. Wasn't until my 50's that I began seeing a GP because of jobs providing access to insurance plans. I still see a gyno for any gyno issues like atrophy. GP's have enough to think about without getting into what I see as a specialty. Though probably not typical it has worked for me.

      Agree with Suki about the biopsy. What you describe sounds like it may be LS, but only from what others have described. I have had no 1st hand experience.

  • Suki_girl
    Suki_girl renee72446

    Posted

    Renee, I believe that vaginal dryness and lack of sex drive is normal while breastfeeding. It’s the body’s way of stopping us from getting pregnant and having another baby’s while we already have a little one to look after! When is was breastfeeding i was very very dry and honestly didn’t feel at all like having sex. My hubby was most understanding when I told him that my dryness and lack of libido is likely to carry on as long as I breastfeed - NOT! Still breastfeeding at 21 months - wow! Is your hubby not pressuring you to stop? However, I was not so dry that it peeled or got fissures. That may need a biopsy.
  • beverly52803
    beverly52803 renee72446

    Posted

    renee, I have never had a child, but wouldn't you have used an OB/Gyn when you gave birth? Could you see that doctor? Specialists now abound and are therefore quite accessible. To expect specific knowledge from a GP  may not work best for the patient. Just my opinion. My experience with GP's is they have not thought twice about referring me to specialists. However, you may be very comfortable  with your GP & happy with your arrangement. 

  • linda77821
    linda77821 renee72446

    Posted

    Hi Renee

    I had similar issues while breastfeeding. I was initially put on a steroid cream which I think harmed more than helped. I initially managed to 95% resolve the issue by sitting in a luke warm water bath as many tines a day as I could over a 2 week period. I had no issues for a few years but I started getting inflammation and dryness again recently and this time around I fixed the issue by using paw paw cream and stopping using disposable menstruation products or using cotton orgabic only. I have felt so lucky to find simple solutions so wanted to share. Good luck. 

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