Bathing After Vaginoplasty

[Violet]

I am guilty of unprotected sex. That first time I took the risks of bareback. Now I am off to the clinic for STI testing. Sure felt good though and much more intimate.

In my experience the majority of it comes out on its own and the occasional douche gets the rest.  I was also told that douching after sex is a good idea but especially if you have sex with a guy unprotected.

[Violet]

I wonder if instead of eating the yogurt inject some into vagina and after awhile rinse it out with a plain water douche? Or is eating the yogurt just as effective?

Generally, CIS women naturally have a nice balance of good and bad bacteria in their vaginas. (pH) This balance protects against infection and the wrong bacteria from growing out of control. Douching for them, as well as us, is a bad idea. It can, and usually does, kill off the good bacteria that naturally exists in our vaginas.

Sadly, to make a quick buck, consumer marketers try to scare us and tell us we need to douche with their products. We don't! And we don't need to douche with vinegar either. Yes, right after surgery it can be a good idea. (do what your surgeon recommends) But once you're healed research indicates that you too, can begin to have a good balance of bacteria in your vagina. There is one caveat. Sadly, the major bacteria group CIS women have in their vaginas is Lactobacilli. It appears we don't create this in our vaginas. :-(   Lactobacillus acidophilus is in good yogurt. I try to eat yogurt frequently to try and make sure my body has more than enough; hoping it will help.

Anecdotal: About 5 months after surgery I got Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). This is overproduction of the wrong bacteria. It can cause a white discharge and that fishy smell; which is how I knew I had it. I was still douching once a week. My Gynecologist told me that once I got rid of the BV to quit douching!!! I immediately researched it and sure enough, the top recommendation is clearly not to douche. It's been over a year since then and I haven't douched, and I haven't had ANY problems at all . . . .

I'm sure there are lots of women out their happily douching all the time. Left alone, your vagina will naturally maintain a balance of good and bad bacteria on its own and that will mean no fishy smell and no discharge. If you douche all the time, you will NEED to douche all the time. . .

FYI . . . Sorry, but perfumed soaps can mess with your normal, healthy pH balance too, causing unpleasant things like yeast infections so steer clear of them as well . . .

Take heart in the fact that your vagina is acting much the same as every other women's . . . :-)

[Violet]

Hydrocortisone  Cream sounds like a great idea. Thanks! I will check with my Doc! 

Hi,

I went to the same doctor as Monica and received the same instructions about cleaning.

I had revision surgery and a lot of granulation post op and revision post op. Part of my graft died and I had a lot of scar tissue. I had a lot of silver nitrite applications and they even gave me silver nitrite to treat myself. I became very experienced with the application and can deal with the pain.

I was prescribed hydroquarterzone cream to put on my dilators which I still do.

I clean with water and a shower attachment for allowing water in the canal. I make sure the attachment is clean and I do not do it every day. I would never do it while healing. I do not go the whole way in. I do not use soap. Just some warm water in a spray.  I was told I can use a water douche by my PA-c. Nothing but some warm water to rinse the about 3 or so inches in. 

Make sure you discuss it with your doctor.

[Linde]

Hydrocortisone  Cream sounds like a great idea. Thanks! I will check with my Doc! 

You ladies just have to be careful, because this stuff causes eventually a thinning/softening of the skin.  I don't know how much thinner skin you can have down there, but thinner skin is prone to tear easier (watch out with the little rougher sex games).

[Violet]

I did not know! Thanks sis! What do you think about the salt bath fizzy balls? I use one that has coconut and sea salt. Seems to help a little, but I am still sore. I reluctantly paused my sex life until healed. Dilating hurts with torn skin.

You ladies just have to be careful, because this stuff causes eventually a thinning/softening of the skin.  I don't know how much thinner skin you can have down there, but thinner skin is prone to tear easier (watch out with the little rougher sex games).

[Linde]

I did not know! Thanks sis! What do you think about the salt bath fizzy balls? I use one that has coconut and sea salt. Seems to help a little, but I am still sore. I reluctantly paused my sex life until healed. Dilating hurts with torn skin.

With that salt you create a little saline solution, which is pretty OK for your skin (it really doses not matter what salt it is, salt is salt and stays salt).  The coconut oil may cause a little skin lubrication, but I don't think either has high enough concentration to do anything.  If you have torn skin, you should see a gynecologist, or if it is more to the outside, a dermatologist, or both.  You don't want to get any substantial scaring in this delicate area!