T O P I C R E V I E W
Green iPod
Member # 42060
posted 01-28-2009 02:35 PM
Prepare for TMI and such I'm 17 about 5'6 and I weigh between 95-98 at any time. I started having sex the day after Christmas in 2007. My boyfriend and I don't do much of anything sexual anymore. Reason would be, vaginal tearing. I'm not sure when it started but it wasn't too long after we started having sex. It didn't happen the first time though oddly. There is no latex allergy or anything. Condom, no condom, it still happens. The area it tears is just below the opening of the vagina, where the perineum starts. First suggestion is usually more lube right? That doesn't work either. Tried it. Also, sometime I tear when we are just doing other things, fingering and a few times during oral, though that usually involves fingering. I've talked to my gyno, he gave me this cream stuff to use that he said might make the skin in that area more durable, I try to remember to use it everyday but there isn't much improvement. We haven't don't much lately so its a little hard to tell. The second time I saw the doctor he suggested vegetable oil. Said it was good for the skin. I looked it up in relation to tearing and found pernieal massage, that pregnant women do to prevent tearing or that thing where they cut it slightly. Its only been a few weeks since I saw him and I think I've only use the oil 2-3 times. Still no improvement. So, any ideas or suggestions are very welcome. If I left something out you need to know to make a suggestion or something, please say so. Also, I stopped the vegatable oil and am using Vitamin E oil, I read that might be better. I suppose it seems odd but I don't know what else to do.
KittenGoddess
Member # 1679
posted 01-29-2009 06:08 PM
Are you feeling pain when this happens or no? Also, can you give us the name of the cream your gyno gave you? (Just so we know where we're starting from.)
Green iPod
Member # 42060
posted 01-29-2009 07:49 PM
Yes, there is a little pain when it happens. Sometimes not right away though. The cream is called Estrace. Its supposed to be used internally for something, but the gyno said that it would work for making the skin more durable if I use it where I'm tearing.
Green iPod
Member # 42060
posted 02-01-2009 11:42 AM
Uhm...are you coming back? o.o
KittenGoddess
Member # 1679
posted 02-01-2009 11:55 AM
I'm sorry I wasn't able to get back right away. I've been ill and have had a couple of family emergencies during the last week. Well, with regard to any treatment, do understand that it's not going to solve anything right away. After researching, I have seen some indication for Estrace being used to similarly...however everything I see seems to indicate that it may take up to 6 weeks to see improvement. Also, with massaging the area with Vit E or other oils, you're looking at some time before anything changes. So if your expectation is for these types of treatment to help in a few days, that's not really reasonable. (It is okay, btw, to use the Estrace and the Vit E together.) I would be careful with the Estrace. We don't have long term studies yet about the use of low level estrogen creams, so it's unclear what the impact on cancer risks may be. They're usually used for post menopausal women, but some doctors do use them to treat other issues. If you've got a history of reproductive cancers or breast cancer in your family, I'd talk to your doctor about this. Also, if you're planning on using this for an extended time, I'd consider the risks. Also, if you are considering pregnancy or do become pregnant, you'll want to let your doctor know ASAP.
Green iPod
Member # 42060
posted 02-01-2009 12:15 PM
That I know of only one woman in my family had cancer, and I'm not having children. Already talked with my doctor about that...I can't get my tubes tied till I'm 25 >.> But I didn't really expect results right away I just didn't have much information about it and it bothers me . Like, I have no idea whats causing it or anything, its not like I have really thin skin that gets cut/scratched constantly its just that area. It just seems like theres no reason for it to be happening and I'm slightly afraid of like developing vaginismus or something because I'm always wondering if its going to hurt and stuff >.<
Heather
Member # 3
posted 02-01-2009 12:29 PM
Well, one thing I'd suggest per that is just to take some time away from any sexual activities where you do have the tearing. Stick to things you know you enjoy and which feel good, and where you know you don't have that worry. In other words, both for your body to heal up and for you to not get stuck in a headspace where you do keep kind of validating that anxiety, take a break from vaginal entry. Since it sounds to me like entry kind of kept always winding up in what you two were doing sexually, taking that break might also help the both of you better discover sexual activities you can do without it, anyway.
Green iPod
Member # 42060
posted 10-11-2009 11:52 PM
Its been quite a few months now and I'm still having this issue. When I used vitamin e oil regular it gets better and the skin that usually tears is looser. Lately I've been wondering about causes of this issue and I didn't think about it before but could it be my birthcontrol? I'm on Junel, my annual is coming up and if this could be it then what would be recommended? Should I try getting of hormones completely or a different dose?
-Lauren-
Member # 25983
posted 10-12-2009 12:17 AM
Hi Green iPod, Did you get a diagnosis at all? If you're still having issues after this long, I'd recommend you ask your gynecologist for a referral to a dermatologist or a vulvar pain specialist. When you say you're tearing during non-abrasive things like oral sex, that can indicate a chronic skin problem of the genitals that can be hard to diagnose, and requires a steroid ointment to keep under control. Best to get to the bottom of it, you know? It's certainly worth a try to consider going off the pill if you noticed this only started once you were on it. When I was going through something similar, I figured I didn't have anything to lose.. why did I need contraception anyway if it hurt to even think about sexual activity? It didn't help me, but you might find it's worth a shot, especially since the pill can cause changes in the genital skin that can make it more prone to pain and fragility (that's why estrace is prescribed). I do hope you get some answers and get to feeling better soon, take care. ETA: Ah crap, I've posted in the wrong section. Apologies, I'll be more careful. [ 10-12-2009, 12:19 AM: Message edited by: -Lauren- ]
Green iPod
Member # 42060
posted 10-12-2009 09:59 AM
The thing is, I didn't start having sex till after I was on the pill so I don't know if it was okay then.