For the women-half serious half not

Before I get into the less serious of the two problems I had a few questions.

My fiance and I have been sexually active for a little over a year. As expected it was painful to sleep together initially, but I thought as time wore on my body would become accustomed to the act and it wouldn't be uncomfortable. The thing is, penetration has always hurt no matter what. And now we can't even have intercourse because of the pain. I don't think I have a yeast infection since there isn't the normal discharge, but the itching and horrible burning are there and are greatly exacerbated after we've been together. It even hurts after washing in the shower if we've slept together and then sitting down... There are sharp pains every now and then in I guess what specifically is the vagina(it doesn't feel like the urethra anyway). I'm just tired of sleeping next to my fiance and not even being able to spend time with him that way anymore. I really miss him.
Now, I WOULD go to the obgyn doctor but for the fact that, not only do I owe their office money, but I owe the company that does all of their lab work money and they have informed me that unless I pay(with money I do not have) they reserve the right not to run any tests for me. I really like the doctor that I have, but I guess if it comes to it I can start searching for another one as a temp for the time being. I'm just hoping someone might have an idea as to what this problem might be.
It could be a combination of the fact that I am a pretty small person, my boyfriend is umm shall we say not poorly endowed(sorry if this is too much information for some of you), and I am constantly dehydrated no matter what it seems.
But then there is the added symptom of frequent urination which I forgot to mention.

ANYWAY, the less serious of the two problems:

For those of you on strict diets, or stricter than we have already, do you ever have those days where you completely disregard all prior knowledge and mistakes and eat or drink exactly what you're NOT supposed to?

I started my brown pills yesterday for the bc pills so not only is it that time of the month, but it was also the day I reduced my prednisone again which is when it generally starts to have its effects on me e.g. mood swings, increased appetite.

So, here I am with an exam coming up, hours left of precalc homework left, stressed out in other words, and craving something sweet. I broke down and bought a quart of Silk chocolate soy milk and am nibbling on my fiance's Italian chocolate with almonds in it...:( I feel like a dope. I've been really good about avoiding high fat, high sugar, mostly any sugar, soy, chocolate, etc. etc. etc. and am hoping to god or whatever deity that I'm not too sick to go to campus tomorrow. I'm normally pretty laid back and able to say no, but I was ready to throw a hissy fit when I looked over and saw my fiance ate the last piece of his chocolate. Hence, his taking me to the store...I swear when we get our jobs I will spoil him.

Just wondering if you guys have those days and what it is you cheat with...I'm just glad I was able to stop myself before snatching up all the peanut butter chocolate cups and coffee chocolate. And then the bakery's cookies...I had a serious sweet tooth before I was diagnosed with Crohn's in case you can't tell hah...

Fitzy-Thank you! I had not even thought of going to the school clinic actually. I may as well try them first before getting the serious bills increased. I'm sorry to hear 'I've been there' but I'm grateful for your reply and understanding...I've noticed KY gel makes things a little bit better, and it actually hurts a lot worse if he gets to 'that point' so to speak. I've heard of some women being allergic to their partner's semen, but how on earth do you figure out if you are or not I wonder?

I'd actually be okay if it's normal because then the lack of worry might help alleviate some of the pain so...I'm glad to know there is a possibility it may not be something more serious. I'll get it checked out just to be sure, but I'd like to think there are ways around the pain...The only time I can think it didn't was when I had taken an ultracet and in a really good mood anyway.

Joining in with my 2 cents...

Sounds to me like a yeast infection! Everything you read on candida or yeast infections says that use of steroids and birth control pills add to the likelihood of having one.....

The itching and burning you describe most definitely are symptoms, so the fact that you don't have discharge shouldn't rule out a yeast infection.

Back in my twenties and early thirties, I used to have yeast infections ALL THE TIME. My symptoms were exactly as you described. What caused mine? Probably a combo of a massive sweet tooth, bc pills and an occasional round of antibiotics. The after intercourse issues you describe I found were better if I showered afterward and dried everything extremely well down there--if you know what I mean (try a blow-drier!). Ultimately, the only thing that seems to have solved the situation permanently for me is diet. Since following my son's diet, I no longer have those issues. I know the probiotics and yogurt help immensely, as does cutting all the sugar and other carbs. I know you understand all of this, too. I'm simply sharing my experience to offer hope!

Also, that awful feeling of caving in and eating what you're not supposed to completely goes away after a while. Personally, I don't think you can expect that of yourself while on prednisone and under all the stress you're under, but it sounds like you are certainly on the right track with diet--so don't beat yourself up! Eventually this will all get better! Hang in there!

Oh! And one more thing! You might have your fiance start taking a probiotic (or eating a high-quality yogurt) and eating fewer refined carbs, too. Guys can have yeast infections (they can get them from us) and re-infect us during intercourse......

No boyfriend, so I can't help you with problem one .

As for problem two, you'll probably have more discipline once you're off the prednisose. The last time I was on it, pre SCD, I was hungry all the time and it was tough to say no. As for now, I'm very good about staying on course. My parents don't eat SCD, and I sometimes drool over what they make, but I never touch it. My main weakness is honey, and I have to be careful not to overindulge. A lot of times, grape juice or orange juice will help with a sugar craving. Even the homemade jello hits the spot quite nicely. My highlight of the day is a pecan butter brownie. Delicious! Mainly, you just need to make sure you're well-stocked on healthy yummy snacks so that you won't be tempted by your boyfriends treats.

Also, I take a BC pill because I have problems with anemia. My insurance won't pay for the ones where you only have a period every 3 months, so my gyno said to just skip the inactive pills in my prescription. She said there was no harm in it, and that you really don't NEED to have a period. At around 5 months I had some breakthrough bleeding, so stopped the pills for a few days to let my period happen. But if I only have a period once every 5 months, that will be fine with me !

I had the itching and burning every time my husband I had sex, until he had a vasectomy. Then it stopped, completely! My gyno said I was probably allergic to his sperm! I thought it was funny, but I don't think he did! I did have pain last year, like a pressure during sex, and it went away after a resection. I don't know what caused it, except maybe just lots of inflammation. It hasn't come back, even though the inflammation is starting to. I hope it stays away, its hard enough to have the energy for sex, when you know its going to hurt, it makes it even more difficult.

Oh the warming gel...I stopped using that pretty soon after we tried. It was nice the first time and the 'warming' felt more like 'burning' hah...not a fun experience. It even hurt him so I know it wasn't just my girl problems!

I swear I cannot stand cranberry juice but am seriously considering giving it another chance. I hadn't even thought about it actually so thank you navy :)

And yes yes I know...I have to try harder to resist. I normally have safe snacks lying around, but last night was one of those where nearly everything was missing. I'm pretty good about saying no, but, well...girl time+steroids=ravenous monster. I guess it will just take some more practice of will power.

Thank you guys by the way! I felt like a little isolated since so many other women seem to have no problem with their sex lives in that regard. I feel like the rest of us have at least a one up on resisting the junk food. Then again, most females don't have the fear of spending the next week in the restroom to reduce those cravings :)

Maybe a bladder infection? I used to get those often in my teens/early 20's. The symptoms sound familiar.

This post got me excited, because I had very similar issues with my current boyfriend, and I found the answer. I'm also smaller and my boyfriend is larger. The burning was unbearable and I'm surprised we made it to a year in our relationship given the issues it caused.

HOWEVER

It took me 8 months, but I found the answer. No, I was not allergic to his semen, but to the LUBE. Latex allergies are so widely talked about but almost no one addresses the fact that many women, and even men, are sensitive to the GLYCERIN in lube. If you're using an over the counter brand, it most likely has glycerin. After so much research I finally got my hands on a brand of glycerin-free lube and guess what, PROBLEM SOLVED. It was an AMAZING difference. I can't believe it took me so long to figure out. So if you do use lube on a regular basis I would definitely try to get my hands on some (any decent sex store will sell some, or there are lots of great online sites..the brand I use is "Pink"). Worst case scenario, you lose ten bucks. Best case, the problem is solved.

Good luck!! I hope you have the same outcome

there are cranberry pills from natures bounty
of course I suspect an UTI, but I do think it needs to be checked out especially if you are on a immunosuppressant
Sex has been so incredibly painful I have pretty much given up on having a relationship until I get my disease under control...

spookyhurst said...
No boyfriend, so I can't help you with problem one .

As for problem two, you'll probably have more discipline once you're off the prednisose. The last time I was on it, pre SCD, I was hungry all the time and it was tough to say no. As for now, I'm very good about staying on course. My parents don't eat SCD, and I sometimes drool over what they make, but I never touch it. My main weakness is honey, and I have to be careful not to overindulge. A lot of times, grape juice or orange juice will help with a sugar craving. Even the homemade jello hits the spot quite nicely. My highlight of the day is a pecan butter brownie. Delicious! Mainly, you just need to make sure you're well-stocked on healthy yummy snacks so that you won't be tempted by your boyfriends treats.

Also, I take a BC pill because I have problems with anemia. My insurance won't pay for the ones where you only have a period every 3 months, so my gyno said to just skip the inactive pills in my prescription. She said there was no harm in it, and that you really don't NEED to have a period. At around 5 months I had some breakthrough bleeding, so stopped the pills for a few days to let my period happen. But if I only have a period once every 5 months, that will be fine with me !

I'm very surprised that your doctor told you that you really don't need to have a period And also, you do know that BC pills are a no-no when you have CD? They cause a relaps. I'm sorry, it's just that I'm really shocked

There is no direct causation between BC pills and a relapse of symptoms. They're even known to improve symptoms on occasion. The only way you can know how they really affect you is to stop taking your BC pills for a while and see how your intestinal symptoms go. Yes, it can make some women worse, but it can make some better. It's really just another one of those things where the answer lies in the individual.

I'm a little surprised too that a doctor would say you don't need a period...I think I would disagree with him based on the fact that we're born to function that way..

We are born to have periods, but we're also born to be pregnant.  Our modern lifestyle, where we delay child bearing and have far fewer children, means that we have many more periods than our ancestors.  Some scientists believe that all those periods are unnecessary.  I've heard of doctors suggesting taking bc back-to-back like that, although only two or three months at a time, not five.  After all, Depo-Provera causes you to skip what, three periods?  But a period is the body's way of shedding old tissue, and that does need to happen occasionally.  I've heard (and I don't remember where off the top of my head) that letting it go too long can increase the possibility of cancer.