Secret Suffering - A resource community for women who experience pelvic and sexual pain

Intravaginal DHEA for vaginal atrophy

Susan Bilheimer — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:51:18 +0000

So I just saw a new gynecologist and am very excited about working with her. She told me I had vaginal atrophy and said she wanted me to try intravaginal DHEA (1%) compounded (Shaefer Drugs in Florida) to help with this problem. I have mixed feelings about using any hormones, certainly just to make the pain in my vagina go away seems not a good enough reason. But I’ve read that not treating it can just worsen the condition. And the doctor said that they are finding that using DHEA instead of an estrogen cream causes none of the same problems. I’m still researching, but wanted to write a quick blog about this. I don’t know if this will help, but reading about vaginal atrophy leads me to think that there is a grain of truth in this exacerbating my pain. I don’t know, but I figure I’ll try it for three months.

Here is some information I’ve found about studies:
(From the Biomed Experts website)
The primary objective of this study was measurement of the systemic bioavailability of DHEA and its metabolites following daily intravaginal application of the sex steroid precursor. Forty postmenopausal women were randomized to receive a daily dose of one ovule of the following DHEA concentrations: 0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0% or 1.8%. After only 7 days of treatment, the maturation value of the vaginal epithelial cells was significantly increased while the vaginal pH was significantly decreased at all DHEA doses. These important local effects were observed while the serum concentrations of estradiol and testosterone remained within the values found in normal postmenopausal women at all DHEA doses. Similar observations were made for serum androstenedione, estrone, estrone-sulfate and DHEA-sulfate. Even at the highest 1.8% DHEA dose, serum DHEA was increased at the levels found in normal premenopausal women. The present data show that the intravaginal administration of DHEA permits to rapidly achieve the local beneficial effects against vaginal atrophy without significant changes in serum estrogens, thus avoiding the increased risk of breast cancer associated with the current intravaginal or systemic estrogenic formulations. In addition, the recent observation that DHEA is transformed into both androgens and estrogens in the vagina permits to exert benefits on all the three layers of the vaginal wall.

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FINALLY, I MAY HAVE AN ANSWER TO MY PAIN!

chloe — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:07:14 +0000

My husband brought home a “Woman’s Journal,” he found while stopping for gas. He folded over the article about an Emmaus woman finding relief from pelvic pain. I started to read it and quickly went to the website. For the past year, I have had increasing pelvic pain with constant urinary pressure. I have consulted my Gyn and Urologist with little sympathy. I have found myself in tears most days because of the pain. My marriage has been suffering due to lack of intimacy. I just want to be left alone. I am going to follow the steps and start the journal. I hope to see a light at the end of the tunnel and the start of a new me.

Audio Interview with Isa Herrera, Author of “Ending Female Pain”

Susan Bilheimer — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:35:26 +0000

Isa Herrera, MSPT, CSCS,owns and operates Renew Physical Therapy, a leading healing center in New York City. She has dedicated her career to helping women find relief from conditions such as sexual and pelvic pain. Her goal is to always empower her patients with the tools they need to succeed on their own, which is what makes her phenomenal.

Her new book, and subject of my Midlife Woman Radio Show interview with her is “Ending Female Pain, a Woman’s Manual”. It is a comprehensive resource filled with simple, yet advanced techniques to relieve pain presented in a way that any woman can understand and use to conquer her pain.

Her women’s health program is called “The Renew Program For Women™.” Ms. Herrera’s philosophy is, “With the proper amount of training and encouragement, women can be helped to control their pain or condition, get their bodies back and return to the lifestyles they desire.”

EXCLUSIVE!
In our interview, Isa shared techniques for women with IC not contained in the book!

As you know, I’m very particular with my endorsements. Isa is the “real deal.” While I have not yet overcome my own inertia (sigh) to follow her suggested program, I believe with all my heart and because of my own experience in writing “Secret Suffering,” that this program can help. What is so wonderful is that she has structured a program that will help even women who who do not have access to a pelvic floor PT in their area.

“Ending Female Pain” is well-written, easy to understand, highly detailed, and contains an all-encompassing program to help any woman suffering with sexual and pelvic pain. She has structured the information so that if one method doesn’t appeal to you, there are numerous others that may be just what you need. Page 24 even contains a suggested schedule. And, you can do most of these exercises while watching tv. So there is really no excuse! Plus, as will be evident in this interview, Isa is clearly a sincere, caring, knowledgeable provider. I cannot praise this book highly enough.

“Secret Suffering: How Women’s Sexual & Pelvic Pain Affects Their Relationships” provides the knowledge you need to understand your condition, how it affects your relationships, and what you can do to find relief. “Ending Female Pain” takes you to the next level with a complete program to help you do so.

Purchase “Ending Female Pain” on Amazon.

More information on the book can be found at www.EndingFemalePain.com. For more information on her practice, or to make an appointment, go to www.Renew-PT.com.

To listen to the interview,
(32 minutes) Click the Play button Below or Right-Click Here To Download the MP3

Annual Women’s Pelvic Health Conference from Pure-Hope.org

Susan Bilheimer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:38:27 +0000

www.Pure-Hope.org: Just a reminder about their upcoming conference in Texas on February 20th. This is an organization that truly cares about helping women with chronic pelvic and urological pain. For a list of speakers (big names in the IC and pelvic pain world!), more information, and to register, go to Pure-Hope Conference

Free professional housecleaning for women undergoing cancer treatment

Susan Bilheimer — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:38:14 +0000

I found a flyer from “Cleaning for a Reason,” a professional organization that will give women undergoing cancer treatment free professional housecleaning one time per months for four months while she is in treatment. For more information, go to www.cleaningforareason.org.

Tired of Suffering – Time to Laugh!

Susan Bilheimer — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:14:28 +0000

So, I know I love to complain and I’m so tired of talking about how ill I feel. Because of that, I started doing what I call PodRants on my other site, www.MidlifeWomanRadio.com. I figure, if I’m going to complain, do it big! So, here are the first three I’ve done. I’d love to know what you think. Go over to www.MidlifeWomanRadio.com and post a comment.

Moonbeams and Butterflies

“Phone-o-Phobia”

(may take a minute or two to load up)

“Change You Can Believe In”

Excerpts of Secret Suffering Audio Book

Susan Bilheimer — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:10:25 +0000

We’ve started recording the audio book version of “Secret Suffering” and thought you might like to listen to a sample or two as we work on it. The audio book should be ready by early February.

Sample 1: From Chapter 1 (7:25)

Sample 2: From Chapter 2 (4:45)

In a brilliant stroke of genius…

Susan Bilheimer — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:57:56 +0000

I just heard that because of the lunatic who tried to blow up the airplane yesterday, the British have now mandated that no one can leave their seats in the last hour of a flight. Hear what I have to say about that:

Here is the audio (3:33):

Right-click to download the file.

2010 PURE HOPE Patient Education Day Conference

Susan Bilheimer — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:56:48 +0000

Pure Hope is a phenomenal organization that provides pelvic and urological resources. Sign up on the www.Pure-Hope.org website.

CROWNE PLAZA GREENSPOINT
425 North Sam Houston Pkwy E
Houston, TX 77060
281-445-9000

PELVIC HEALTH PATIENT CONFERENCE
Saturday, February 20, 2010
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Registration 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.)

MEET THE SPEAKERS
RECEPTION
Friday, February 19, 2010
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

This will be their fifth Annual Conference and it is going to be much bigger than all the previous conferences. They will have a number of top speakers, general sessions, and breakout sessions. Plus, they will be having round table discussions on the 19th at lunch with a health care provider seated at each table.

has anyone tried a hysterectomy to solve pelvic pain

Di — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:22:07 +0000

my obgyn’s nurse called me this afternoon to tell me to schedule an appointment with the Doctor for a hysterectomy discussion. One doctor says it’s adenomyosis, this one wasn’t going to do it, but he said the history of chronic pain takes the surgery out of being an elective & my insurance should cover it.

I’m reading if Lupron didn’t help chronic pain than this hysterectomy won’t either.

My desire to get out of pain is affecting my ability to reason clearly. Do I want to take this chance or not?

My heart says do it, it’s either this or pain killers the rest of my life. My head says this may not work.

anyone try a hysterectomy to get rid of pelvic pain?

thanks
Diane