Gynological Aspects of Crohn's

Hi all, I was just wondering if any of the other ladies with Crohns deals with any vaginal issues. I can get bad skin fissures down there. I also have a lot of itching of vaginal area and perianal area, but I keep coming back negative for BV and Yeast infections. Also don't have any STDs. I am extremely frustrated!!:ybatty:

Join the club! Someone mentioned that the meds we use can contribute to thinning of the skin. as the skin down there is quite delicate already, that can cause fissures and cracks.

I get itching on and off. If I have a bout, I like to put something cold on the itchy spot (like a clean wet washcloth). I also sometimes use a mild moisturiser- something like a baby lotion- as that seems to relieve the itch. Or a nappy rash cream if it's around my bottom.

A few preventative measures too- at night I go commando, during the day plain cotton undies. I have experimented with wash powders and softeners, and found that a hypoallergenic softener is better for me- the wash powder doesn't seem to matter so much (I guess it gets washed out more than the softener does).

When I'm cleaning myself, I use plain water or a product specially designed for down there, and only clean the outside bits- your vagina is self cleaning and douching upsets the balance.

I have skin hyperplasia on one side of the outside. I use a steroid cream and that seems to work well for me. Mine gets so bad that the extra skin will peel off in sheets. It's gross. I also get this on my left leg and left arm. So, left labia and left appendages. Wonder why it's only the left.

Thanks so much Rebecca and Firework. It's SO frustrating when Ive spoken to 2 GI's about this and they look at me like it's in my head. I'm going to try all you suggestions...thanks so much!

Gyno ouch!

Hi Ladies, sad to say I've been dealing with itching and burning both vaginally and also burning and peeling on my lips. After trying everything my OB/Gyn had to offer she sent me to a dermatologist who diagnosed non steroid respondent lichen sclerosis. She treated me with a combo of protopic, a topical immune suppressant and clobetazole. They keep it under control but if I stop using the medicine it always returns. When my lips are bad, I have to completely give up spicy food otherwise they burn like crazy. It does seem while I'm in the midst of a bad crohns flare the skin stuff is also worse.

Diagnosed with crohns in 1993
Partial colectomey 1995

Taking 30mg prednisone
100 mg 6mp
And just started Humira

I have no issues with skin down there but have had infections and I've had mennorrhagia since I was 12!

Hi,
I don't have any of the above issues, but I have just recently been diagnosed with a cyst and fibroid on my ovary. My Gyno Dr. said that I may be going through peri-menapause. I have also been having night sweats on and off for about a year or so now. I know, I am in my early 40's. that night sweats are a sympton of Crohn's but now not sure. Have discomfort on my left side as well. Also, been having large bowel movements. Not sure what is going on. Any insight would be great. Thanks for your help and support.

I also have itching and a small lesion on left handside of labia/vulva that comes and goes yet went away completely when i was on steriods. It has come back since coming off Entocort so will ask Dr for steroid cream. Have tried lot a of other creams and avoiding fragranced washing soap etc and decided it definitely isnt thrush. So hoping the steroid cream works.

Birth control always made my vag issues worse. It's amazing how much your hormones can mess with you.

I also had itching and burning when the IBD was really bad; and my rectum was inflammed. My GI told me it was related to the diarrhea and irritation to the entire area. I also have endo. When they got on top of the inflammation in my rectum, the itching and burning in the perianal/women's area disappeared.

I'm new to this group - diagnosed with mild crohn's 7 years ago at 49 yo. have had this fissures in my vulva for many years, gynecologist gave me estrace thinking it was menopausal thinning skin, finally mentioned it when it happened to be present at a dermatologist appt. she did biopsies there - ouch - and it came up with all 3 showing crohn's there - in my vulva and perianal areas. So they immediately put me on Humira and gave me clobatesol (steroid cream) and itching and fissures (feel like a paper cut) went away for the most part. Specialist dermatologist told me that now this metastatic cutaneous Crohn's (that was they call it when it shows up in skin) is not the end point of therapy and that if I had these symptoms while on Humira, it might mean the treatment isn't working. One derm. wanted me to just take a montly dose of vaginal yeast medicine b/c Humira can cause more yeast infections, but my GI said no, if you have itching, get tested for yeast cuz we want to know if it isn't yeast, then we'll have to consider what is going on, etc.

the last month I have had extreme fatigue, flue like symptoms that don't turn into flu, stomach pain, on and off diahrea, vaginal itchiness (with no discharge) and twice a fissure in my vulva, along with depressions and anxiety of course (goes without saying, right). I got tested and no yeast. I sent a fax to my GI at UW in Seattle and the male nurse called me back and said my vaginal itching had nothing to do with my Crohn's (HUH???), i was probably coming down with the flu, that I was making more problems for myself to relax (seriously?) and that I should never fax them again - other "normal" patients call and leave a message and the nurses get back with answers. I was amazed, to say the least. 3 days later I had another fissure and got in to see my derm., she did 2 biopsies again to see what was going on and told me that only an idiot would say that my itching wasn't related to my crohn's - that was so validating. these doctors are so arrogant and dismissive. I have an anxiety condition - heredity and from the Crohns, fibromyalgia, ADHD - and sometimes when things like this happen it ramps up my anxiety, of course. You would think doctors who treat patients with ailments that normally have depression and anxiety and bedfellows would have some training with this and work at having a little more of a nurturing bedside manner. I've gone on enough.

If you have fissures down there and it isn't connected with a yeast infection, go to a dermatologist or a specialist - I am lucky to live close to UW and the dermatologist I saw had the knowledge to check into this. This extra-intestinal symptom puts me in a new ball game - rare and harder to treat. so starting with mild symptoms now I'm considered severe, but have been on Humira for 2 years and up until now have had good results. Anxious about what might be ahead, and waiting for the results of the biopsies - wish me luck.

Yup, this stuff is nasty. Steroids and Remicade have calmed things down substantially for me, but I still get these kinds of symptoms from time to time. I find that the live cultures in plain yogurt helps for the front areas, and Zincofax (unscented diaper cream -- for whatever reason, I'm allergic to Penaten) and/or Anusol help for the back. If things get really bad, steroid cream mixed (diluted) with unscented hand cream can also help, but I prefer to avoid using extra steroids if possible -- they thin the skin over time and if they're too strong, they can also cause itching on their own.

so if I am on Humira and experience these symptoms, do I not worry too much or does it mean that the medication isn't working and I need something else? I'm having other symptoms of a flare loose stools often, fatigue, gut pain - I guess I need to call my DR. but the last time I did, I did not feel they listened and want to change Dr's, but don't think changing Dr.'s during a flare is wise in terms of being a new patient.