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Question:
After a number of years of a safe and healthy sex life, I have suddenly begun
experiencing painful intercourse. The skin at the entrance to my vagina has
become extremely sensitive and intercourse can feel like being rubbed with
sandpaper. The pain can be intense, but isn't always; however, after
intercourse, the skin at the entrance to the vagina becomes extremely
painful, red and swollen. On several occasions, small sores have developed
in that area. My doctor at first diagnosed herpes, but my experience has
been that these sores are directly caused by painful intercourse and have
never appeared without that stimulus. My partner and I have tried a number
of different lubricant solutions as well as several types of condoms -- we
normally do not use condoms as we are monogamous and have both been tested
for HIV. None of these efforts have alleviated the pain, which typically
persists for a week on average.
This is a huge problem for me and my relationship
I take oral contraceptives, and I think that this could possibly be some skin problem. We have tried to use lubricants and various condoms. My doctor was quick to diagnose herpes even though a test run on one sore proved inconclusive.
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Answer:
by Annette Owens: ()
Thank you for contacting www.SexualHealth.com with your concern. First of all I want to apologize that we have not been able to get back to you any earlier. We have experienced a back up of questions causing a delay in our answers.
There can be several other explanations for your symptoms than herpes. I am going to give you information about where to learn more about various possibilities:
1)Herpes: Was you doctor ever able to find conclusive evidence for herpes? You can get information about herpes by calling the Herpes Hotline at 919.361.8488. Another phone number to request educational material about herpes is 800.230.6039. They can mail you a copy of a special issue on herpes called The Helper, American Social Health Association, Winter 1997.
2)Vulvodynia: This is a term used for a number of situations where a woman has pain in her genital area. I recommend reading an article by Susan Kellogg Spadt: Suffering in pain. Managing vulvar pain patients (Nov/Dec 1995); Contemporary Nurse Practitioner. You can ask your local library to get you a copy of this article, which is targeted towards health professionals. It describes various syndromes including vulvar vestibulitis, which involves redness and sometimes small sores in the vaginal entrance area. Unfortunately, not much other literature on this topic is available at this time.
3)There are several websites on vulvodynia: www.vulvodynia.com (Dr. Glazer’s Vulvodynia Web Site): www.nva.org (National Vulvodynia Association). You may be able to find some useful information on those sites.
4)It is very important that you spend enough time on foreplay so that your lubrication is sufficient for intercourse. Or you can use an over-the-counter lubricant such as KY jelly or Astroglide. Lubrication is extremely important to reduce friction and skin irritation.
If you read up on the different possibilities for your pain you may get some ideas how to alleviate your pain and most importantly, you may be better equipped to get a second opinion from another gynecologist, if necessary. Typically, women in your situation see many different doctors before the right diagnosis is found. Try to find a specialist in your area who is familiar with vulvar vestibulitis. You may not have this condition, but it is important that someone who is familiar with it examines you.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask me.
Sincerely,
Annette Owens, MD PhD
Reviewed by: Patricia Fawver Ph.D. in Sexology
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