I Have Been Experiencing Vaginal Burning For Past Three Months

Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I would not expect a pelvic floor dysfunction to cause vaginal burning.

Vaginal burning is common if there is an irritant to the vaginal tissues (such as yeast or other overgrowths) or from low estrogen.

The few days before the period, and during the period, estrogen is at it's lowest and might be responsible for this. However, due to the shift in hormones, the premenstrual period is also the time when there might be more overgrowth, so that might be contributing to it too.

We see vaginal burning from vaginal dryness during menopause (from low estrogen) but that does not apply to you per se. However, I am wondering if a vaginal lubricant might help before your period.

Your symptoms are not a typical sign of gynaecological cancers.

If you can schedule an appt. with your doctor for a day right before your period, she/he can take a look at what your vaginal mucosa looks like then (eg if it is dry), and also do a swab to see if there is anything else growing (eg yeast).

I hope this information helps.
Please let me know if I can provide further information.

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Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:
Are you unable to have a pelvic exam due to uterine prolapse from pelvic floor dysfunction? Because depending on how much prolapse there is, that can throw off the flora too, in cases where the uterus is severely prolapsed.

The bacteria that causes bacterial vaginosis, as well as yeast, are not really pathogens, they are opportunists that can overgrow and cause irritation and discharge if conditions are right for them to do so. So we don't always treat these unless they are causing problems.

Because they can be part of the natural microbiome, they can sometimes come back. In particular, antibiotics (such as for bacterial respiratory infections) can cause overgrowth of yeast because the "good bacteria" that normally compete with them can be decreased. Also, shifts in pH, hormones, can make things more favourable for Gardnerella bacteria (Bacterial vaginosis) to grow (and sometimes yeast too).

So, it's hard to say if they were wiped out - likely they were from the meds you used.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Natural treatments

Detailed Answer:
The main problem from bacterial vaginosis (other than a fishy smelling odour or discharge and sometimes burning/itching) is if a person is pregnant as it can cause preterm labour. So, providing you are not too uncomfortable, it can wait. The other thing that can't wait is if you think you might have reason to have an STD.

In terms of natural treatments, there are things you can do. Something that can help with either Gardnerella bacteria (BV) or yeast is to lower the pH of the vagina with a mild acid. For this vinegar can be helpful. You can soak a wash cloth in half apple cider vinegar and half warm water and apply it a couple of times a day, or soak in a bath tub with a cup of apple cider vinegar in it. Some people use a stronger concentration (ie more vinegar to less water) but it's best to start with this concentration and see how you do.

There are things that can be used intravaginally, that can help treat both Gardnerella and yeast, such as boric acid capsules (suppositories), but it sounds like putting things in the vagina can be a problem for you. So for now, perhaps try the apple cider vinegar.

Wear cotton underwear and loose fitting clothing on your bottom to keep from making conditions optimal for BV or yeast. And there is some evidence that taking a probiotic daily or eating foods that are high in probiotics can help with BV.

Regards

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