Raised red area
Posted , 7 users are following.
Has anyone had experience of 'raised red areas' ? My GP identified one on the inside of my outer labia some time ago and said it could be past scarring from childbirth and the dermatologist dismissed it, but barely examined it. However I think it is more prominent now and looks to me like a vein as it is linear. I have a derm appointment in January, so will ask them what they think. I am worrying though.
Just would like to know other opinions on this please.
0 likes, 11 replies
Guest sarb73328
Posted
Hi Sarb,
I have a couple of raised red areas on one of mine but gyn #7 said nothing about it. In the past, another one has come and gone and, given the other problems, I am not worried about it. Mine does not hurt and it really looks like just a pigment variation. I am trying to get the toxic chemicals out of my life and am considering testing for heavy metals and vitamin levels. If all this is auto immune, then we might be able to fix it.
best,
biscuit
sarb73328 Guest
Posted
thanks eggbiscuit - that is reassuring. Mine is not painful either but a bit strange in that it looks like a vein. My last check up was encouraging with the dermatologist saying the skin looked healthy so I am hoping that will be the verdict again in January.
Good luck with testing - let us know what that shows. LS is such an ongoing worry.
beverly52803 sarb73328
Posted
sarb, if you are like me you probably didn't spend much if any time over the years examining your genitals with magnification mirrors pre-LS. I don't do it now even with LS as everything begins to look like a possible problem. I figured it was my very thorough gyn's job to notice aberrations, but unfortunately I no longer have access to her. I saw a derm recently who gave the fastest exam I've ever had. I think if you aren't in terrible shape some docs just move on. Does your derm spend the amount of time on the examination as a gyn would? This is the only one I've seen for this so I have no one to compare her to.
sarb73328 beverly52803
Posted
Beverly - no I certainly didnt spend time examining down below before having this. And I try not to too much now because I know I overthink any changes I see. And I have found the same with dermatologist - they dont examine as thoroughly as gynaes nor even as carefully as my GP. So I guess I will have to be quite specific when I see her and point out the area I am worried about. I have access to a male gynae if necessary but I really dislike being examined by a man now I am 66 years old. He is knowledgable about LS though so I would go back to him if necessary. I hope it wont be.
patricia22367 sarb73328
Posted
I have something like that and mine is painful, two doctors said it was "irritation"
I thought well yes, I'm the one who told you that...anyway...
yours could actually be a vein I read about that showing up down there sometimes
I wouldn't worry about it, if you tell them that it's changing they might take a closer look or tell them that it's causing you anxiety, a good doctor will look at it closely if you tell them that
sarb73328 patricia22367
Posted
Patricia - thank you for your reassurance, it really helps to hear of others with similar symptoms that have not proved serious. And I will take your advice for sure and ask doctors opinion when I see them in January. I think we all have to really lay it on thick with doctors when we feel anxious about any changes we see, otherwise it is all too easy for them to dismiss us.
Guest sarb73328
Posted
Dear Sarb, As someone else here said, unless you have collapsed in their hallway with some horrendous problem or come in bleeding or writhing on the floor, they dismiss you. They don't want to be bothered They figure you will just take their prescription and go away, leaving room for yet the next paying customer. The other issue is that they don't know what to do and don't want to be pressed into answering our questions and look like they don't know. At least that's my take here in the US after having seen 7 gynecologists and still no improvement.
How are you now?
Guppy007 sarb73328
Posted
Hi sarb, I think if you are worried then you should probably go and have it looked at. My view is that if it is not itching/sore/hurting then it is probably nothing as nothing looks the same as it did prior to LS thats for sure, the landscape has changed! I also don't like see male docs so your not alone there.
sarb73328 Guppy007
Posted
thanks Guppy - I agree, nothing looks the same anymore. I am seeing new GP on Thursday and will see what she says. I have had had to postpone my 6 monthly dermatology appt because I am having knee operation in January.
Guest Guppy007
Posted
At this point, I have seen 6 female and 1 male gyns and they don't know what to do. I am still in pain and nothing helps. I would maybe see another male doc if I had any certainty that he knew what he was doing. I just have not had good experiences with male docs. They don't get it. Am about to try the naturopath route. Has anyone had success with that?
sarb73328
Posted
I have seen my GP who has reassured me that the red area I have seen is as I suspected; a vein and nothing to worry about. I can't help but think that this has appeared through use of steroid cream though (skin thinning), although that will not stop me using it.
I have a new younger GP and when I checked that it was ok for me to be continuing use of oestrogen cream, she replied definitely yes and she recommends it to all her post menopause patients as it not only benefits the vaginal skin and cervix but bladder lining and urethra too. I wish someone had recommended it to me 15 years ago - I wonder if it would have helped to keep LS at bay as well. Who knows?
She also implied that further fusing should not occur with regular use of steroid ointment, but I am sure my fusing has slightly worsened despite using steroid regularly.