Ladies Only....feminine Problems?

[mandigirl1]

This question is for my fellow female Celiacs.....

does anyone know if DH can occur "down there"?

I am not too embarrased to ask this question because having celiac disease can be very complex. You can have symptoms of things and not know if theyre related to celiac disease....sometimes the doctors arent even sure. So, heres the problem:

I am a healthy, clean 33 year old with celiac disease (who gets her periods every month, and never had children). Ive never had any problems other than the occasional yeast infection. I go for check ups regularly and get a clean bill of health. Lately, Ive been having an invisible "rash" down there and dont have any idea whats causing it. This never happened to me before--ever. I have a horrible itch that never goes away!!! There looks like nothing is wrong, but the itch is so bad sometimes I want to.....well, lets leave that one out-you can imagine....

Last month I had a swelling and it blew up terribly. Had to take those baths and use cream/spray. It went away but not the itch. I've changed soaps, laundry detergents, even the type of underwear I usually wear. I stopped wearing tight jeans, and stopped taking vitamins which I believed may have caused it. I stopped eating sweets like chocolate too. The itch is still only minutes away from starting up. I cant for the life of me figure out why the hell this is happening.....

So, Im wondering, can DH, or just sensitive/allergic skin be the cause of this?

Please, if anyone can shed light on this for me Id be grateful!!!!!

I am going crazy!!!!

Thanks

[jerseyangel]

I find I have very similar symptoms when I eat too much sugar in the form of cake, cookies, etc. gluten-free bread, dark chocolate (in other forms) don't seem to be a problem for me. I think that the relatively large amounts of sugar in those kinds of things, along with the flours kind of put me over the edge in terms of the itching. Hope this helps and you get some relief soon. Not a fun thing, at all

[Felidae]

There was a post on another forum that I visit regarding Always products. Apparently at some point they changed there plastic layer and it has given many women rashes and irritation, including myself. If you use Always switch to a different brand.

[Noelle126]

Thanks for the info about Always products...sigh I always hate trying new "feminine" products...any suggestions?

[tarnalberry]

While I don't know that DH can occur on the type of skin that's found in the vulvar/vaginal area, there are a number of things that can cause that feeling. Besides a sub-clinical yeast infection, other types of infection, and irritation from soaps/detergents/products/fabrics, there can be issues with eczema, vulvodynia, and other complications. I would encourage you to talk to your gynecologist about this further, and don't be afraid to get a referral to a specialist for the problem either. (You might also check out "The V Book", which is a handy reference manual for women. ;-) )

A suggestion for feminine hygiene products: Natracare pads/tampons. They're unbleached, organic cotton, that I haven't had any problems with.

[mandigirl1]

Where do I get the "V" book????

Thanks so much for input....will have to pursue w/gyn.

[Guest nini]

Ya know... before I went gluten-free, I used to get horrible itching rashes, etc... "down there" but since I went gluten-free I haven't had that problem again... I don't know if it's related at all...

[tarnalberry]

Where do I get the "V" book????

Thanks so much for input....will have to pursue w/gyn.

I picked up The V Book at my local bookstore, but if you don't find it there (and don't want to ask them to order it), you can get it from Amazon. It's not a terribly difficult book to find, and the library probably has a copy as well.

[darlindeb25]

Me too Nini and it was terrible. I remember, it wasnt all the time usually, but the minute I laid down at night in bed it would start--the itching was terrible--I remember it well. But, I cant remember if it was before or after going gluten-free--I'm thinking before. It went away, never to return. Deb

[Rusla]

Before I went gluten-free I would go nuts every night itching there and a few other places below sea level. Now that I am gluten-free I have not had an itchy spell there.

[Kasey'sMom]

This is so odd. I had really bad itching as well. I noticed the itching was so much better on the candida diet, duh, I wasn't eating gluten!! When I added back the gluten I noticed it came back. In the past I've had lots of yeast problems but the last few times I've went to the OBGYN he said they're was much yeast. I've only been gluten-free for a few months but I've noticed the itching has gotten less and less and now I don't have it either.

Noelle126,

I've used NatraCare which is an organic fem. supply product. I like the things I've tried but the liners are really tiny.

[Felidae]

Thanks for the info about Always products...sigh I always hate trying new "feminine" products...any suggestions?

I only was using Always as a backup liner to tampons. I really think they were the best. But I've bought three different brands to try: Stayfree, Kotex and the other brand has slipped my mind. I don't think any are as good as Always, but not getting itching or a rash is well worth it.

[jerseyangel]

I used Always for years, but tried Stayfree once when CVS didn't have the kind of Always I used. I've used the Stayfree ever since. I like them much better.

[key]

Sounds like it could be a low grade yeast infection. Or something called vulvudynia, which can be caused from allergies to some foods I think. I have an aunt with it, but not sure of the details. Try using a yeast cream all the time down there. It could be some products. Since going gluten free 9 months ago.

Good luck,

MOnica

[mandigirl1]

Ive been on the gluten-free diet for 7 years now. I have never cheated....but I have been glutened many times, and with not even with the foods I love!!

I have had this recently, like the past 6 months. I had an episode so bad I had to stay home in bed!!!!! Im a schoolteacher, and could you imagine having itch while teaching 29, 9 year olds??? It was torture. The creams didnt work, neither did Diflucan...nothing. During this episode, as I like to call it, because it was.......I couldnt even walk! It hurt so much and was blown up 3x the size!!!!! (Of course my fiance did not see!!!!! But was helpful in comforting me.) My GYN told me to sit on this dumb tube and soak with epsom salt. Awful. It was just awful. I've racked my mind out thinking what could have caused it. So, Ive since tried changing things, laundry det., vitamins, etc....It got better, but theres always a "hint" or a sudden stab/itch sensation, and then I dont want to give vivid details here........if you use your imagination......as a result of, which gets worse and worse, like a mosquito bite. Theres this very weird sensation too.

Then I go nuts!!!!

I have a spray for general itch, etc, not a feminine product either, my GYN told me to use. Doesnt help either. If anything I get a brief relief.

Im very upset over this. I will see my GYN. soon.

Thank you so much ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any more thoughts/ideas?????

[Felidae]

Maybe you are allergic to your fiance? Just kidding.LOL

[tarnalberry]

Ive been on the gluten-free diet for 7 years now. I have never cheated....but I have been glutened many times, and with not even with the foods I love!!

I have had this recently, like the past 6 months. I had an episode so bad I had to stay home in bed!!!!! Im a schoolteacher, and could you imagine having itch while teaching 29, 9 year olds??? It was torture. The creams didnt work, neither did Diflucan...nothing. During this episode, as I like to call it, because it was.......I couldnt even walk! It hurt so much and was blown up 3x the size!!!!! (Of course my fiance did not see!!!!! But was helpful in comforting me.) My GYN told me to sit on this dumb tube and soak with epsom salt. Awful. It was just awful. I've racked my mind out thinking what could have caused it. So, Ive since tried changing things, laundry det., vitamins, etc....It got better, but theres always a "hint" or a sudden stab/itch sensation, and then I dont want to give vivid details here........if you use your imagination......as a result of, which gets worse and worse, like a mosquito bite. Theres this very weird sensation too.

Then I go nuts!!!!

I have a spray for general itch, etc, not a feminine product either, my GYN told me to use. Doesnt help either. If anything I get a brief relief.

Im very upset over this. I will see my GYN. soon.

Thank you so much ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any more thoughts/ideas?????

Definitely do consider vulvodynia (but don't use an antifungal cream full time if you've got vulvodynia! that can just make you feel worse), and look into getting referrals. You may need to travel to get the appropriate care (not enough doctors know how to dx or rx these problems), but don't stick with a doctor who can't help you.

[jenvan]

so sorry to hear about your problem! that must be miserable... ! i'm sure you've thought of it, but didn't seem it mentioned...have you been tested for an std? i'm not sure if an std would remain 'invisible'...but thought i better mention it just in case.

i have had similiar issues--had a bout when i was engaged--horrible yeast/then bacterial infections. the itching was unbearable for a while--couldn't sleep at night. you may not have infections, but that was my problem. now whenever i sense a bacterial/yeast imbalance and i start to itch, i take acidophilous and it always keeps me from getting an infection. i also take acid. whenever i am on an antibiotic to prevent an infection. my only guess on what caused it is tampons. the past few years they seemed to irritate me, but it was really subtle, so i didn't think much about. well, i ended up stopping using tampons and haven't used one since. i have switched to natracare pads--they are just like regular pads, but made with natural, unbleached, unprocessed cotton...really soft and nonirritating. i have no idea if any of this will help you! but since i've made these changes i no longer have any issues. you can ck out natracare here: www.natracare.com/

ps tiffany--i'm going to pick up one of those 'v' books--sounds cool !

[antoinette]

Hi there - I hope you don't mind me butting in on this one - I get itching down "there" because I, as was mentioned earlier in the post, get candida. I rarely suffer with thrush, but has affected my nether regions before, plus I used to wake in the night with uncontrolable itching on my legs, esp after I'd just shaved, which wouldn't go away, until I had scratched them until I bled...yuk....

So might be worth getting an anti-fungal cream.

Hope that helps.

[rowan]

Ive started itching just readin these!

sympathy itcher,

rowan

[mandigirl1]

jenvan....no---def. no stds....

and no, Felidae, I'm not allergic to my finace, but that was acute joke!!! LOL

sorry this talk is catching on rowan!!!!!

thanks again ladies for your help

its very well appreciated!

[Claire]

This does not sound like DH. Yes, it is terrible. Been there, had that. Sometimes during the day but almost always at night as others here are saying,

I am quite certain that, at least for me, this is food related. I just don't know what food. I am Gluten-free Casein-free but am 'bothered' in one way or another by many other foods.

There is relief with a product called Ivy Dry. Also Solarcane.

Another possible cause is parasites - the night time 'attacks' are a clue to that I have been told. Claire

[eeyor-fan]

I only was using Always as a backup liner to tampons. I really think they were the best. But I've bought three different brands to try: Stayfree, Kotex and the other brand has slipped my mind. I don't think any are as good as Always, but not getting itching or a rash is well worth it.

Always WAS good, especially sice I was a very heavy bleeder, but since they changed to the "Cotton Weave" I had nothing but itching. 6 months ago I switched to Stayfree, and while the wings are not as protecting....I'd recomment them.

Hugs

Bridget

[Moongirl]

i havent been 100% diagnosed but i find this interesting, cause when all my symptoms started up, i noticed swelling down there too, however it was only after me and my bf had used a condom.....do condoms contain gluten?!?!

[Kasey'sMom]

Moongirl,

I'm not sure if condoms can have gluten or not? Have you ever noticed a sensitivity to latex? We're the condoms lubricated? I have noticed a problem with some types that we've used but I'm quite reactive to all sorts of chemicals etc.

I've been using a product from Sensua Organics that is latex safe. I called yesterday to double check and it's gluten-free. This has been very soothing for me to use even for itching etc.

Here's the link for the products.

Open Original Shared Link

I like The Original Organic Personal Lubricant, Unflavored the best. The products contain aloe to help soothe and heal the delicat tissues.

I've also found that webvitamins.com has Sensua Organics at a good price.