VAGINA RED AND SORE ? VAGINAL DRYNESS OR CANCER?

Posted , 8 users are following.

My vulva has been feeling sore and when I looked in the mirror is looked really red, no discharge or bleeding. I could not get an appointment at my doctors for three weeks but I got an appointment with an gynaecologist at a private hospital. He looked at my vulva and said it looked fine but then he used a speculum (like used when having a smear test) to examine me and said the redness was coming from my vagina.

He prescribed Vagifem every day for six weeks and wants to see me in eight weeks and if my vagina is still looking red he will arrange a biopsy. He doesnt want me to use any cream on my vulva because it looks fine.

I have now convinced myself that I have cancer and am going to die.

Cannot sleep or eat for worrying. Any help and advice to reassure me and calm me down really appreciated.

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • Posted

    sorry to hear of your distress but you dint have the symptoms of cancer. try not to keep looking and obsess. put something soothing on, coconut oil or whatever works for you, and wait for the hormones to work,

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply Polly. I am reluctant to use coconut oil or anything else soothing because he said I didnt need anything and I dont know if I can use anything alongside the Vagifem in case it stops the Vagifem from working.

  • Posted

    hi,

    i agree with the other replies. if he suspected cancer the Dr would have referred you on immediately. i know you went privately and how awkward it is to get a GP appointment but if they suspect anything sinister they fast track you. happened to me last christmas, i had a lump and was seen at a specialist hospital and scanned within 2 weeks.

    i think you will be fine using the vagifem every night till you go back to see him, as someone else said they wouldnt prescribe it otherwise.

    take care

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply, it is really appreciated. I hope your lump wasnt anything really serious. I feel better about using the Vagifem every night now. I just wish I could find something to help the soreness and burning on my vulva although the gynaecologist said I didnt need any soothing cream (he said my vulva looked fine) the burning is unbearable. I have tried coconut oil but even it seemed to make it worse but it could be just smearing on the oil made the delicate skin more sore.

    • Posted

      Hi again,

      no the lump (on my skull!) turned out to be nothing major thankfully. I dont use Vagifem as GP prescribed Ovestin which is a cream and i put that inside and outside. Have you tried a little bit if Canesten cream on the vulva?

    • Posted

      Pleased your lump was nothing major. I hadnt thought of using Canesten cream but its a good idea and made for our delicate bits.

      Many thanks and take care.

  • Posted

    Hi Lynn i agree with Beverly.You need to do some serious research on the internet to get your answers. Atrophy presents itself in all sorts of degrees of severity as most ladies just put up with it for.... sometimes years. One of the most important things is no soap,bubble bath or shower gels...this is extremely key. I use hydromol ointment for cleaning prescribed by my doctor but there are lots of alternatives out there. This will come up when you start searching.Everyone is different. I have got through every cream and pessary but nothing worked for me although certain things helped. Coconut oil didn't help me at all but it works for some. I have this timodine ointment i keep in the fridge for flare up times....on prescription...works brilliantly for me. Everyone has different ways to help them. I am just about to have my third Mona Lisa Touch procedure which has had fantastic results for me. This is the only actual cure. It is expensive but has been worth every penny for me. Again...research research research !!!!! Finding the right clinic and most importantly the operator of the MLT machine. I am travelling 4 hours on the train and 4 hours back!!!!! The doctor who is treating me is the top of her game and has been involved with the MLT since it was introduced to the UK. Good luck with your research. It was 2 years ago when the words vaginal atrophy came into my life...I had never heard of it!!! I certainly know all about it now!!!

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply Dotsie, I have got an appointment to see my GP on 15th May and will ask about timodine if I dont find anything to help before then. All the best for your Mona Lisa Touch procedure, I havent heard about it but will do some research. Are you able to tell me the name of the clinic you go to? perhaps via a private message if you cannot post on this site. Take care and thanks again.

  • Posted

    Lyn you have been given some really good advice hear and very unlikely to be cancer as he wouldnt be prescribing vagifem true. I dont understand why he said you dont need anything for the soreness though.., sounds like you def need something soothing. I would query the length of time you have been told to use the vagifem as like you was told every day for two weeks and then twice a week. But maybe the strength has changed since i used this. If you can use the vagifem with no side affects it def does help with plumbing up and keeping all parts in that region lubricated and ease the soreness greatly.

    Sue

  • Posted

    Thank you for your reply Susan, it is really appreciated. I did ask at the chemist about using the Vagifem every day for six weeks and they said it was fine because gynaecologist had prescribed it. I have tried coconut oil for the soreness but it seemed to make it worse. I have purchased some Replens to see if that helps.

    Do you know how long it takes for the Vagifem to start working?

    Many thanks.

  • Posted

    Thank you for your reply Susan, it is really appreciated. I did ask at the chemist about using the Vagifem every day for six weeks and they said it was fine because gynaecologist had prescribed it. I have tried coconut oil for the soreness but it seemed to make it worse. I have purchased some Replens to see if that helps.

    Do you know how long it takes for the Vagifem to start working?

    Many thanks.

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