Hello Dear Reader,
I am back to update you on my Vulva, and tell you about all this amazing stuff I’ve learned since acquiring my VULVA SPECIALIST! You may remember back in January, I started telling you about my vulva issues in my Part I of my Vulva Story. If you’ve forgotten, please take a moment now to read it again. I’ll wait…
So as promised, albeit a bit late, I am back to update you on the current state my vulva. First, the good news is that I do not have Vulva cancer. YAY! I also do not have Chrone’s disease of the vulva. Double YAY! My official diagnosis from my vulva specialist, Dr. Foster (who permitted me to post her info) is Lichen Sclerosus of the Vulva.
Let’s go back a bit though…
In the weeks leading up to my vulva biopsy appointment, Anchor DaddyG helped me take lots of well-lit, not-so-sexy photos of my vulva and perianal areas to send via MyChart to Dr. Foster. She wanted to see what I was experiencing over the winter, traditionally when the itching becomes most miserable. That was interesting. Anchor DaddyG and I certainly hit some new milestones in our relationship, as did Dr. Foster and I, during this experience.
My biopsy was scheduled for Monday, January 29th. What was it like to get my vulva biopsied? Well, it was not officially terrible. The worst part was leading up to actually. I had to do everything I could to get my vulva all flared up and unhappy in the few days before the appointment to ensure it was clear for Dr. Foster where to biopsy. To get flared up and properly miserable I did all the WRONG things. This included wearing chemical-ridden period pads under tight, non-breathable leggings — instead of my flowing, long winter sweaters with nothing underneath. It also included lots of sex — without the proper vulva aftercare from Momotaro Apotheca I’ve come to rely on to keep my sex life enjoyable.
(Check out their blog articles on proper post-sex aftercare for the vulva and beyond) Use my Momotaro Link and Discount Code TRISHSWILD when you shop!
So after a few days of making my vulva completely miserable, I headed to OHSU’s waterfront dermatology clinic (which has an amazing view, FYI) at the Center for Health & Healing.
While photographing Mt Hood and Mt Saint Helens from the top floor balcony, the nurse came looking for me - appointment time. In the exam room, I got undressed, donned the lovely gown, and got my feet into that position all people with vulvas should know all too well by now - because Vulva+ health is important!
I’d been keeping in good spirits — as much as possible with a fully flared-up vulva, but I was a bit nervous at this point. I’d had internal biopsies before, but clipping off a bit of my clitoral hood and some of my labia majora seemed a bit more intense somehow. Plus anyone I’d mentioned it to had made a face and strange gasping sound I didn’t appreciate with my extra active imagination.
No turning back now though. OHSU is a teaching hospital, so I had an audience. I don’t mind. I’m always glad to share my experiences with medical students, in hopes that it’ll help them help someone else.
Dr. Foster is quite light-handed, and topical and injected pain meds came first before the actual snipping off of any skin. The little stitches in my clitoral hood dissolved on their own within a few days so that was nice.
I also asked Anchor DaddyG to come with me to hold my hand, and buy me ice cream on the way home.
Vulva Biosopy was on Monday. Sadly, this story doesn't end with Monday. I also had a GYN appt scheduled for Friday that week, because that was the only time the GYN at the VA Women’s Clinic had available. Just getting to the appointment on time was a whole other story, and I barely managed to arrive on time.
The Portland VA works closely with OHSU, and as such, it is also a teaching hospital, so my vulva and beyond were once again exposed to some extra medical students as I explained my complex medical history to them. I will explain it quickly to you as well now, my dear Reader, as it is relevant and important to sexual health and a happy vulva.
As you know from Part I, I’ve been having trouble with my vulva for quite a few years. While awaiting my vulva biosopy, I also had a full genetic counseling panel done, due to my family history of GI and reproductive cancers.
A quick history: My aunt (my mother’s maternal twin) was very recently diagnosed with ureteral cancer in her 60s, after a previous battle with endometrial cancer in her early 50’s. My grandmother (their mom) had battled ovarian cancer in her 40’s and later died of GI cancer in her 70's when I was 17. I had been very close to my grandmother, and her death was painful, difficult, and heartbreaking. Stomach cancer is not a nice way to go and I plan to avoid it. My great-grandmother Lula (her mother) had battled both uterus and ovarian cancers in her lifetime, dying in her 80’s. My mother’s oldest sister (still living) also has fought with a round of ovarian cancer. My uncle, (my mom’s brother) died of testicular cancer in the late 1970’s before I was born — side note: he was also in the military, like me (cue environmental factors).
I have a brother and 5 biological 1st cousins who have all been tested for this genetic factor in the last few months, prompted by my aunt’s cancer (she kicked its ass FYI, and is doing well). I am the only one of the 7 cousins who got the “cancer gene”. I am also not surprised. Genetics have not been on my side when it comes to my health ever, but that’s a whole other story.
So far, my mother has avoided cancer (in part I believe because she lived a much more healthy lifestyle during the years she was living with me). She just had a full preventative hysterectomy to reduce her risk since she also has the bogus cancer gene. This kind of preventative surgery has become more common as the understanding of genetics in cancer has come to light.
My genetics include a faulty MSH6 gene — aka Lynch Syndrome. This means I have an increased risk of developing cancers of the reproductive system (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, etc.), urinary system (kidneys, bladder, ureteral tube, etc), bowels, GI and gastric/stomach cancer, and some types of skin cancer (like the vulva…) Dr. Foster had also checked every part of my skin for cancer while I was in for the vulva biopsy. So far, no skin cancer.
So, this is why I was on my way to the GYN the same week as my visit to the vulva specialist. To make a game plan for not getting cancer — at least in my uterus - with my GYN. First, my GYN did the usual swab, urine, and blood tests for all the STIs while I was there, which I do 4 times a year as a responsible polysexual person. The VA has been great about my queer lifestyle and I don’t get any pushback about how often I do STI testing. Regular STI testing and talking openly with partners is an important part of a happy vulva — FYI.
After that, my GYN left me alone for far too long — allowing me to take this series of photographs to teach you about the vagina, complete with 3D models:
Upon her return, the GYN asked me how I felt about an internal biopsy of my uterus. This means going up into my vaginal opening, past the cervix, and into the actual uterus to clip off a bit of my tissues, and send them for testing. I would have made Anchor DaddyG come if I’d known this, but I didn’t, and I’m a badass, so I agreed. I got myself ice cream on the way home and then took a very long nap until the next day.
So, that’s what is up with Part II of my vulva story and how I got conned into multiple biopsies of my poor lady parts in the same week.
The good news: zero evidence of cancer at this time.
The other news: I have a follow-up with my GYN in a few months to discuss my preventative hysterectomy. I have scheduled my yearly endoscopy, and colonoscopy for June with my Gastroenterologist (which is nothing new since I have Chrone’s disease). I’ll update you all about that as I continue to navigate life in my human body in future stories.
What about my poor vulva & living with Lichen Sclerosus?
At best, Dr. Foster has explained it as an autoimmune response. It also is not contagious. You cannot get it from another person. This makes sense because I have been fighting autoimmune issues for many years (which I will explain in another story). Keeping it under control involves multiple approaches, like everything else in my world. Inflammation is often triggered by diet, so I generally stick to eating meat, fruit, veggies, and goat cheeses. I avoid processed foods and stick to local sourdough bread from Kalama bakery. I am allergic to legumes so those are out. I live on a communal farm where we raise chickens for eggs and meat animals and trade with the neighbors for fresh produce. It’s been a lifestyle sacrifice that has been well worth it for my health. I exercise and try to keep healthy. I don’t wear underwear or pants very often; it is breathable men’s boxers when I do.
Vulvovaginal wellness is now a daily priority.
Dr. Foster has prescribed me three types of topical creams (Clobetasol, Tacrolimus, and Triamcinolone) to use in my vulvar and perianal areas during flare-ups, and a skin lotion to use all over my body (Clinamycin Phosphate). This keeps the major flare-ups under control, and as a bonus, I no longer live with the chafing and “sweat pimples” I thought were just normal parts of life. Turns out I don’t have to live with them. Have I mentioned that Dr. Foster is a goddess?
I practice regular Vulvovaginal preventative and aftercare, and I’ve become quite the expert. I use Momotaro’s Salve after showers, baths, swimming, sex, and any other activity that gets fluids on my vulva. I use the Tonic in the bathtub and the Body Oil daily (and on my fresh tattoos). I’ve had sensitive skin and random, weird rashes ever since I was a kid. I respond better to this body oil than any lotion I’ve previously tried. I use the suppositories after sex to keep things under control and take a probiotic to keep things balanced. Even better, I can now use my FSA card on Momotaro products. I max that thing out every year on my journey to wellness.
Here’s my discount link and code again: TRISHSWILD — Yes, I am a Momotaro Apotheca affiliate and proud of it — because it has saved my sex life, along with the good Doctor Foster.
It’s now April, and I must say — my vulva is pretty happy — and my sex life is pretty fantastic. It’s not been easy. I am getting better though.
If you are struggling with your vulva and your sex life — don’t give up. You know your body better than anyone. You deserve a happy vulva and multiple orgasms.
Message me on social media if you want and I will try to help you find the right support.
Much Love and Many Orgasms!
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Tits up,
💜 TS WILD
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