Embarassing Question...

[Kat's Mommy]

I am so embarassed to even mention this...but I need help! My DD is now 7 months, and all this time, I have been living with a vaginal itch (TMI...sorry). I went to see my Family Dr. and she said it was due to dryness after giving birth. She said that once my hormones are back in check, this should go away.

But here I am, 7 months later still dealing with this issue. Did anyone experience this and how did you get rid of it? Any overthecounter or herbal remedies?

Thanks :o

[Artisan]

Have you considered the possibility of a bacterial/yeast infection? Does it ever burn? Is the itching intense?

[Kat's Mommy]

The Dr. confirmed it wasn't a bacterial or yeast infection as there is no discharge. No burning sensation. The itch is intense at times. The labia area feels dry.

I'm at a loss...

[Artisan]

Did the doctor do a culture? That would be the only way to know for certain.

Can you do a rinse with 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water? See if that helps.

[Kat's Mommy]

Judging from the responses, what I am dealing with is not the norm. TheDr. did not do a culture, I'll have to insist on that.

A really stupid question - how do I rinse with that solution? Is there anything I need to buy?

[Pandora114]

I dunno, I heard vaginal dryness is the norm when one is nursing *shrug*

////didn't have a partner while nursing DD
/////wouldn't know
//////had no sex drive either
//////was on that nasty Depo Provera...NEVAH AGAIN!

oh and rinsing, use your Peri bottle!

[Daisie125]

I had a REALLY bad itch (and then of course I would give in, scratch and end up with it burning from rawness ICK) My OB did all sorts of tests, everything came back just fine. I suffered with it for over a year, got pregnant (later m/c) and everything was fine after that.

Still haven't figured out what it was, though.

[noorjahan]

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[Undercover Hippie]

Hmm... well, I have been very itchy both times in the weeks after birth, I believe my MW said it was just generic vaginitis and was from all the healing and hormonal-induced dryness and wearing pads that don't let you air out, etc. It never lasted for months though, I bet you are miserable. I tried to let myself "air out" more, tried treating for a yeast infection, even tried my DD"s diaper cream once. I think for me it may be an irritation to the disposable pads--I have since started using cloth pads and when they were all in the wash last month I went back to disposable ones and the itch came back. I'm not sure what else would help you but I hope it goes away soon!

[JenJMP]

I had unbearable itching for the last couple months of my pregnancy.
I had to wash with water several times a day + use topical cream.
Completely disappeared after delivery. ???

[Bellasmom]

Question- What is a culture? I heard about it the other at the doctor's office about doing a urine culture to another patient! What's that?

To do a culture means to take a sample of urine, vaginal fluid, stool, etc. (any bodily fluid, really) and place it in an appropriate environment to check for bacterial growth - for example, a urine specimen can be put onto a petri plate with a special gel-like substance inside it, which contains nutrients that bacteria need to grow. If there is bacteria in the urine there will eventually be little colonies of bacteria that grow on the plate. If bacteria are present it means that there is a urinary tract, bladder, or kidney infection, and that the bacteria are coming out in the urine. (Normally urine is sterile.) It is not a test that is actually done to you, it is done to a sample taken from you.
Hope that makes sense!
Angela

[AnditheBee]

Hmm, adenlilysmama brings up a good point--maybe you're allergic to the pads you're using? Or at the very least, sensitive to them? I'd switch to cloth and see if that helps. Can't hurt, anyway! I used to itch during my period until I switched to cloth. Good stuff! :thumb

[kerikadi]

Have you tried a healing herbal bath?
I didn't have the problem you are describing but I took herbal baths after my last 2 babies and healed beautifully! (Great sex 3 weeks PP) :D
There are several sites you can get herbal baths from but one I know of is www.earthybabes.com
I hope you get some relief soon.

Keri

[noorjahan]

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[Susannah M]

Cloth pads helped me - but I would try looking in "Better Basics for the Home" or something like that. . . good luck.