This is my second child. my first is 3 yrs. old. I did not breast feed the first. Breast feeding is going very well with this baby. My problem is that my husband and I have not been able to resume sexual relations because of pain that I have been experiencing. The external vaginal area has an almost constant burning sensation. Urinating does not make it worse., but touching the area, even lightly patting dry with toilet paper is extremely painful.

This might not sound like a nursing problem but I saw my doctor about the problem. He tested for yeast and found a slight trace he treated me for it even though there did not seem to be an infection. On examination he did see noticeable redness. His only diagnosis was that breastfeeding can cause a thinning in membranes of the vaginal area. If this is true, how can I deal with this problem for the duration?  I was hoping to breastfeed my baby for at least a year but I don't know if I could tolerate this discomfort for that long. Also my husband has been understanding, but he and I both would like to have a sex life again.

Please help, I have never seen this problem addressed in any of the books i have read. thank you.




 

La Leche League's book, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" discusses this issue on page 111. It says, "The low estrogen level present during breastfeeding is often the cause of vaginal dryness....but the solution to dryness is simple enough--a little more lovemaking ahead of time, supplemented, if need be, by a little lubrication such as KY jelly." They don't mention this, but the vaginal lining becomes thinner following childbirth, and there is also less cervical mucus. All of these factors can cause discomfort during intercourse.

Obviously what you are describing (extreme pain) is not normal dryness. It sounds to me like what you have is an unresolved yeast infection. Constant burning/itching and redness are classic signs of yeast. Yeast is very stubborn and can sometimes be difficult to treat. Also some people are resistant to some anti-yeast drugs, and there are also different forms of yeast. So if one medication has not worked for you, you may need to try another. Diflucan is a prescription drug (oral) which is very effective for most vaginal yeast, but even so it might be helpful to use a topical treatment as well. There are over-the-counter yeast treatments. Have you tried any of them? There are also natural formulas available at health food stores. A knowledgeable health food store employee can also assist you with other ways to fight the yeast, such as taking acidophilis capsules.

Something else to consider--it may be that your husband also needs to be treated. Men and women can pass yeast back and forth. Sometimes the other partner may be asymptomatic. This is the same type situation that occurs with breast yeast. Women may have very sore nipples or breasts even if you can see nothing in the baby's mouth. But, if you don't treat both mom and baby, the yeast will not resolve.

Unfortunately, yeast does not respond quickly. It can take several days of treatment to even get a little relief, but you should be able to get rid of it. I think, if you don't get help from over- the-counter medications, you need to return to your doctor.

What you are experiencing is not normal. If it were, women would not be breastfeeding for very long!  Good luck.

Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL





 

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