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Ask Dr. Carolle |
 I've been experiencing vaginal dryness, itching
(now mainly on the minor & major labia) and unusual sporadic large amounts of vaginal
clear to cloudy discharge for the past 8 months.
I was treated for a yeast infection, then a
bacterial infection (bacterial vaginosis) However my symptoms have returned, and all the
tests have been negative. I've abstained from sex since, not even foreplay! Now I'm
frustrated, my gyn-NP thinks I'm a hypochondriac because I keep coming back with the same
complaints. I'm confused. What do I make out of all this? I'm afraid my complaints aren't
being taken too seriously. Do you have any food for thought?
 Your situation is not unique. Through the years
I have seen many patients who experienced similar symptoms, yet the culprit could not be
identified. In my experience, symptoms are sometimes related to a chemical dermatitis.
My advice is that you do the following:
Ask yourself if you have been using any
new products in the during theone or two week period before your symptoms started. This
can be anything from body lotions, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products for external
use and for douching, bubble bath products, Jacuzzi soaks, etc. If the answer is no, then
try hypo-allergenic products and avoid scented products.
One of my sisters once discovered
accidentally that one particular brand of toilet paper was the cause of her vaginal
itching, a symptom she had endured for almost two years.
If you still have no relief after two
to three weeks, then you should ask your health-care provider to prescribe a mild steroid
cream or ointment, to be applied to the affected area two to three times a day.
Most patients find relief within two to
three weeks.
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