anybody develop vaginitis during/after radiation?

poetjanet

anybody develop vaginitis during/after radiation?

poetjanet

Hello,

 I finished 6 weeks of radiation on December 21st.  I got what I thought was a vaginal/vulvar yeast infection in early December.  I bought a one day monostat treatment.  It got worse.  Googling it afterward I found out the one day is way too strong.  I called my Gyn and got Diflucan and some cream for outside.  It didn't do much.  I tried Domeboro sitz baths, and black pekoe tea sitz baths. After a month I decided to try the 7 day over the counter monostat, as that was the only kind the Gyn said he would reccomend.  The moment that cream touched my skin It started to burn and itch bad.  Tried to wash it all out, and got an appointment with the Gyn, as I should have done in the first place.  Found there was no infection.  He gave me Clobetasol, Propionate ointment 0.05 %.  It is a steroid.  Helped vulvar, but just putting it just outside vaginia made it itch.  Was trying not to even wear underwear, but got my period, so now have had to wear a pad for several days.  Probably what I have is irritant vulvar/vaginitis.  I am 55, frankly surprised to get a full several day period again.  I know developing this vaginitis could be related to lesser amounts of estrogen, but just wanted to see if anybody else developed a 'hard to get rid of' problem like this during or after radiation, to see if it might be partially responsible.  Sorry for all the long details.  Just wanted to include most of the info for any similar feedback.

Thanks alot!

Ezscriiibe

OMFG! What a harrowing experience~ I'm shuddering just reading your post! I'm also writing this down in my notebook for my visit with my doctor this week! Yikes!

poetjanet

Dear Ezscriiibe,

I'm sorry I got you worried.  I really don't know if this has anything to do with the radiation; I was just curious.  As I said, I am 55 years old, and women my age are prone to having vaginal dryness and irritation.  Also I went into my six weeks of radiation already having hypothyroidism, adrenal suppression, and Epstein Barr, which is a weakened immune system.  It just may be that the added stress of six weeks of radiation along with me messing things up more by using the monostat that I didn't need, just made things worse.  I have made improvements with the steroid ointment, but as I haven't used it vaginally, only on the vulva, the vaginal area effectively hasn't been treated yet.  I doubt very much that your doctor would think this is something that you should be concerned about.  If there is anyone out there that can relate to my story, it is probably rare. 

adrienne2

Hi poetjanet,

Just wondering how things turned out for you. I hope you are feeling better.

During my course of radiation, I also developed a yeast infection, the first one I've had in ten years. I got rid of that with vinegar-water douches. A week or two later I developed internal burning sensations. Now that treatment has ended, my vaginal health seems to be improving. 

Like you, I'm not sure that this has anything to do with the radiation, but I think it's possible that when the body is under stress from what it views as an attack (surgeries, anesthesia, antibiotics, painkillers, radiation), it's possible that it could react this way. 

adrienne