Pain with tampons?!

[anonymouseee.livejournal.com]

 I've been having painful sex since around May (the same time I started having hemorrhoids) and have been tested and treated for (even when negative) BV and yeast. My most recent visit showed negative results for BV and yeast and also STIs. I have somewhat normal discharge, but sometimes a speck of green shows up, and that led me to believe it was BV but nope, the test indicated I was fine.

I'm on 3 month cycles of birth control, and just reached my withdrawal week. I've noticed that when I use a tampon, the opening of my vagina feels dry and almost slightly painful with the tampon in. Dry is the best word I can use to describe it. The tampon is a super but it is never dry and usually changed every hour and a half. I have noooo idea what this feeling is and whether or not there could be an issue outside of hemorrhoids. 

So, has anyone else experienced pain with that dry tampon feeling? Or pain with sex from hemorrhoids? I need some help. Thanks everyone.

Comments

[kuradi8.livejournal.com]

Tampons are very drying. You're changing them quite often, so maybe they're not as full as you think? Have you tried leaving them for longer? Have you considered menstrual cups instead of tampons? http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/2069973.html Or other products like menstrual sponges?

'Rhoids are literally a PITA. Google for ways to adjust your diet to help minimize them. Same for stress if that's what's triggering them. And non-greasy creams (so you don't stain your clothing) provide relief when they flare up.

[anonymouseee.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link! I do own a cup, but got a size too small. I got a Meluna medium, and didn't know they ran sort of small. I can get it out, but panic when it's kind of tough to do! I'm thinking about trying it again.

I change it every hour and a half because that's usually at the point where it is full. Gotta love von Willebrand disease!

I've googled and tried alot for the hemorrhoids. Fiber, water, and I have a hydrocortisone prescription cream for when they flare (which is uh...everyday) but nothing seems to be working. I'm not sure what to really do: with a recent diagnosis of IBS, GERD, and hemorrhoids, I can't find any foods that work!

Anyway, thank you again for your help. I really appreciate it!!

[sabishii-kirito.livejournal.com]

If you haven't tried it, I would highly suggest a couple tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day. I have IBS-C, and sometimes it flares REALLY badly. I find that the flaxseed helps a lot more than other foods, though it isn't a cure all. It has laxative properties, though, so you might want to ease yourself up.

Also, ginger tea is great if you get heartburn. I'm not huge on taking tons of meds, and I've found that a cup or two of ginger tea when the acid acts up will usually keep it away for the rest of the day. Mint helps a bit for me, too.

[anonymouseee.livejournal.com]

Thank you thank you thank you!! :)

[kuradi8.livejournal.com]

The medium Meluna is a very short and low capacity cup. Check out the size charts at http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/1285963.html to see if there's another cup you think might fit and suit you better.

[somniumdraconae.livejournal.com]

Since it started the same time as your other problem, and the vagina shares a big wall with the rectum, I would imagine this is where your sensitivity comes from with tampon insertion and occasionally sex. A dab of lube on the tip of the tampon can help with insertion - extra lube may also help with sex.

I'm sure by now you've been seeing a GI doc - I would keep working on the hemorrhoids and whatnot first, and expect that most likely this problem will ease up as you get that under control.