Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I noticed some white/yellowish stuff in the vagina that had been stuck to the tip of the dilator.

It smells quite sour. Did a further examination with a small spoon (picture (http://bayimg.com/PAFolaaCa)).

Any ideas whether that is just some milk bacteria or something serious needing treatment?

I know that visiting a doctor would be wise, but at the the moment I'm trying to get treatment for something different and don't want everything blamed on me being trans. (and private costs a lot of money)

It might be a yeast infection.

Quote from: lisagurl on November 26, 2009, 10:43:24 AM
It might be a yeast infection.

Which isn't "serious"

Just keep track of it, and if it gets worse, you can go to your local pharmacy and ask for "something for yeast infections".. they usually have very effective, over the counter meds for that..

Also, get a "feminine hygine" type soap for your dilators and nether region, as regular soap changes the PH value to something that's "ideal" for yeast infections. That is to say, if you insist on washing there with soap at all.

I would agree with the yeast infection opinion.  You may want to use a medicated douche or OTC yeast infection medication.  But of course none of us are doctors here so that and $2.00 will get you a cup of coffee.  Please be careful.

Also make very sure you clean your hands and dilators before and after each use.  I use a simple hand sanitizer.  And of course make sure you keep yourself clean and dry near the entrance of your vagina.

If there is any increase in discharge or the discharge has any bloody trace in it get to a doctor pronto, regardless of the cost.  An internal infection can be dangerous and very hard to get rid of.

-Sandy

Thanks.

I will try OTC things to treat it and if it gets worse or does not go away with treatment will contact a doctor.

And if you are wearing cotton panties, NUKE them.  10 seconds in the micro wave and let cool.  Kills the bacteria,   Sorry doesn't work work nylon.



Janet

It's a common problem. Just one of the joys of our condition. It's actually made of dead skin which is sloughing off the vaginal walls and the sour smell is effectively "internal sweat".

In my day (early 1980's) the surgeons used to provide you with a medicated douche - which used betadine - although as you can't get betadine in the UK now it has to be Videne. (not sure about the brand names for the US but it's an iodine antiseptic solution.) Basically you dilute it and fill the douche. Then flush. Once a week was the recommended frequency. I still use it occasionally.

However I think things have moved on now, I know some girls were using an antiseptic gel on the dillator at one point but I don't think even that is done now.

It is difficult to talk about this without getting rather anatomical... my problem is that I have about 6 to 7 inches of depth so there is no way that I can reach the top of the vagina. But I have found that natural prosesses (gravity) seem to mean that most of the gunk collects in the bottom couple of inches which I can reach - So the solution is that twice a week I take a bath (instead of a shower) and ermm...  :icon_redface: give myself a good clean out with the fingers. The problem has also diminished over time as I appear to have developed at least some limited self lubrication and the fluids help to carry the offending material out, which is indeed what happens to this material in a natal female.

That brings me to the other thing which can help which is using one of the permanent vaginal lubricants like Replens (again not too sure of US brand names). This replaces the natural fluids that a natal woman would have, but it isn't a perfect solution as it is quite costly, and I found that it made penetrative sex rather too messy as I do tend to get very wet indeed when aroused through my own natural fluids.

Hope all of that helps. I've been dealing with things like that for 25 years now, and you kind of find a solution which works and then it just becomes a part of the routine of life. So don't worry you aren't alone.

Oh and trust me - unless you start bleeding there really isn't any need to be alarmed or indeed consult doctors. Most of them probably wouldn't know what to do anyway!

It could be a yeast infection or possibly too much bad bacteria in the vagina, it's called bacterial vaginosis (BV).

I've done lots of research on that 'cause I started bouncing from a yeast infection to BV, and back -- mostly 'cause the docs kept putting me on anti-biotics and it really messed up the flora down there, badly!

A lot of hysterectomy sites talk about it too.

Douching is iffy -- it really depends where you are post-op. You will, for a while, have some skin come off and over time it does change. If you have good flora, usually it keeps things in check and fight against yeast and BV. So, even if some skin does slough off and follows gravity (discharge) it will be a normal, healthy, discharge -- usually not a lot, but probably more so if you've just had surgery in the last 6-ish months.

In my case I also had some bladder problem (fixed with meds now) that didn't help. As well as meds I was taking to fight off the onslaught of bladder infections, BV, yeast infections -- blah!

After suffering a lot, I did a lot of research. got meds for the bladder. I also got some oral probiotics with cranberry -- that helps with your digestion and urinary tract health (important!).

I then got from a health food store a probioitic designed for the vagina and is inserted into the vagina.  It will fix the vagina flora. You'll get some discharge after from the pill dissolving, and you'll use it for a few days, laying down and inserting it at night.

That pill made a huge difference. I smell and taste amazing. I feel healthier down there and all over. I self-lube better. And I haven't had any re-occurring yeast infections or BV.  I swear by this product! I've read on other forms about it, which other people also swear by -- I've read stories of women having problems for 10 years and taking a vaginal probiotic stopped it.

A healthy vaginal flora is very important for your vaginal health! Vaginal flora is the good bacteria that fights of the bad bacteria and yeast. It also helps regulate the proper pH balance for your vagina.

Douching really shouldn't be done unless your doctor says so, or if things are extremely bad -- if it's extremely bad, with a lot of discharge, smelly, and white stuff... you probably would wan to go to a doctor.

Douching can actually make things worse, rather than better!

There are several pro-biotic vaginal inserts. I used a product called Femina flora by New Roots Herbal. It worked great after the treatments, and I haven't had any re-occurring problems. Self-lubing seems to work better, even. I smell really good down there (smells like a vagina should). I also taste great! I feel 110% better, too!

I highly recommend the product (or a similar one). It's a huge difference. You get the good bacteria making the right pH balance, and defending against bad bacteria and yeast.

you'll probably have to find a health/herbal store to find it. I didn't see it at walmart or any regular drug store. But, depending on where you live, it might be there. Cost is about $25-$30. Well worth the investment!

And yes, I go around and tell everyone how awesome this product is. Well worth using it.

I also think as post-ops having that "good flora" inserted inside there is a great benefit. And since it's restoring your flora, it keeps going on -- so this lasts and gets stronger in your body to prevent anything else bad in the future. Unfortunately, we weren't born with the right body part, and didn't get to grow up from a baby with the bacteria already there and already being strong by the time we reach adult hood.

I'll also note that if you go on a round of anti-bacterial meds, it can also weaken the good flora in your vagina (and also in your digestion system). In many cases imbalance happens for a number of reasons. Poor diet, medications, health conditions (diabetics for example, can get more re-occurring yeast infections, so these pills help them too).

You'll have some discharge after taking these the next day. Wear a light pad. It's not bad. It's mostly some of the binders the pill was in, it won't hurt you and your vagina will push it out.

Good luck!


--natalie :)

I'll second Natalie's post re: probiotics.  They do a wonderful job in keeping the bad bacteria in check and making the good bacteria proliferate.  A word of caution, though: be sure that the product you're using is intended for intravaginal application if that's the way that you're going to use it!  The product that Natalie mentions seems to be intended for that use and should be okay.  On the other hand, products like the "Renew Life Ultimate Flora Vaginal Formula" contain fructo-oligosaccharides (aka sugar) which can feed yeasts, resulting in a yeast infection.  I was using "Femdophilus" intravaginally until I realized that I was getting yeast infections from that (the label for that product doesn't mention fructo-oligosaccharides though it should).

I'm going to have to check out this "Femina Flora"... The probiotics I have been taking are really only to be used by mouth, but to find one that can be applied right to the source (so to speak) is ideal.

Thanks, Nat!

Lia

Good to know...

I'm going to check out Femina Flora and see if its available in the UK.

My own problems in this area have indeed diminished over the 25 years that I have been post-op - these days it's only really an issue after I have been ill or had to take antibiotics - which I guess would make sense if it is a case of needing to develop a good balance - but I do remember well that in the early days it was quite an issue - and like I said back then we were just told to douche.

Yeah, you have to get ones designed for vaginal use -- some of the ones you swallow can have sugar or other non-vagina friendly ingredients in them, and somtimes don't dissolve properly in the vagina. The Femina Flora ones dissolved really well, and the only thing I experienced was a bit of grainy discharge -- a very small bit! The pills also have a small amount of vitamin C to help the pH balance in your vagina to encourage the probiotics to take hold and grow, and discourage bad bacteria and yeast away while the probiotics take hold.

It's been working out very well for me a month after I've taken them. I've noticed that I smell a lot better down there as well, and even taste a lot better. It's a normal, healthy, vagina smell and taste. :) Huge difference! I was taking the swallow pills for a while, and they helped my digestion a lot and helped with bladder infections (the pills had cranberry in them), but I found it wasn't strong enough for really balancing out my vagina flora.

I tried the yogurt thing (plain, no sugar, active cultures). I've read it online and had one friend who tried it. It worked okay, but I found it really didn't work as well as these vaginal pills. Plus, it was gross waking up in the morning with yogurt all over between my legs. *ick*

I found that the current yeast infection I was starting to get went away the first day.

A big thank you girls, for sharing the probiotic info.

In all the time I've been postop no-one has mentioned it to me. I guess it just isn't the sort of thing one talks about outside of a group like this.

Anyway I found a UK version called Intrafresh and I'm trying them now. So far results seems astonishing... I'll keep you posted. :)

Awesome, yeah, please do keep posted. :)

funnily enough I was just thinking last night that I ought to post my final reply in this thread and say a massive thank you to all the girls who told me about these.

The results are simply AWESOME. My vagina is transformed. I only had a slight problem but its all gone and the smell and feeling inside have been transformed. I wish I had known you all 25 years ago...

I would call the dr. or his/her nurse.  they might put you on an antibiotic.  They will prob ask if it burns while urinating, a sign of infection.

Here's a couple of 'natural' remedies for thrush (yeast infection):

Drink lots of lemon in warm water.
Put a few drops of 100% Tea Tree Oil on a tampon and wear it for the day (take it out at night). The Tea Tree oil works wonders, after 3 days the thrush should be completely gone.
And ofcourse watch your diet - avoid sugars (inc. carbs) and eat lots of vegetables (not fruit, they're high in sugar).  

%100 tea tree oil in the vag? Ouch! I would not risk it. Probiotic capsules r the way 2 go in my opinion, this bacteria issue affects many women when the natural flora is disturbed, remember the bacteria love dark, moist and warm environments. Overdouching/self cleansing can disturb body's own balance 2. U need 2 reclone ur healthy vagina bacteria friends thru using meds or probiotics.

How long has it been since you had vaginoplasty or labiaplasty??  It is not uncommon to get discharge after having it done and it can last for several  months or so. 

A quick question for anyone on here who has used Femina Flora-- what was the discharge like?  I've used other vaginal suppositories before (Monistat, YeastGard) but never had the gluey, rough, almost sand-like discharge I had over the few days I took Femina Flora.  Of the 10 pills I ordered, I only used 3 or so.  Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Lia

Yes, the discharge is a bit sand like -- although I didn't find a whole much of it. It was like a spot or two, and that's it.  I found that it worked well and the discharge was gone once I stopped it and it has continued to work. I haven't used the whole bottle, either, I just used about half of it. I still have some around, just waiting to see if any infections happen. Well, still no infection and everything is working great.

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Post Merge: December 27, 2009, 08:40:47 PM

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I've used monistat (yeast infection medication) before, and they produce a lot more discharge, that smells bad and it's gross. Although it worked for the first bit after the treatment, I found that a month later I had yet another yeast infection. With the Femflora stuff, not even a sign of an infection at all -- even after someone has played down there (I seem to get infections from that, sometimes). Everything smells right, and even tastes right. Something I didn't get from yeast infection meds, ever. Although, these are probiotics. I don't know what the graininess is, although. It didn't last long on me, and it usually came out the next day, just a bit, and I didn't even find it necessary to even wear a pad with how little came out. With the yeast med creams, eggs, and so on -- pads for the next day as it would keep coming out, smell bad, and be all ick.

Quote from: jade on December 27, 2009, 02:45:36 AM
%100 tea tree oil in the vag? Ouch! I would not risk it.

There's no risk. It was recommended by a naturopath and I've used it for years - it works and doesn't do any damage at all.

Lots of women get this deal, myself included. The thing that worked for me was to switch to a non-vegetable glycerin based lube. Anything organic lets the little nasties feed on it if anything is left after playtime is over. Waterbased lubes are best. Silk is a good brand but lately I've switched to Sliquid Organics which makes two grades - one thinner and the other thicker.

OK I'm going to throw in my two cents.  Only one person has commented on the smell aspect.  Yeast doesn't have a strong smell, bacteria does.  You want to stop foot odor, use triple antibiotic ointment.  You got atheletes foot you use an antifungal.  My wife had yeast infections often, I could see them, i could see the whitish finely curded discharge, but I never noticed a smell.  If its bacteria, you are probably stuck with a doctor visit.  You treat that for yeast, it will alow the bacteria to multiply without competition.

For the first two to three months you may want to douche with an iodine based antispetic solution that will promote healing.

We used to get told to use it at least once a day after dilation and to douche with weak salt water solution in between.

Google Videne and/or Betadyne - basically it is a Providone Iodine solution and you dilute it about 5 to 1 before use. It's very gentle and safe, specifially made for treating post operative wound sites and it speeds up healing.

After the three months is up the healing is all done and you no longer need the iodine so you can switch to the probiotics quite safely. They work well too!

These days I tend to douche about once a week with a weak cider vinegar solution 5ml in 250ml of water as this helps to keep the PH in the vagina naturally acid as it would be in a natal female and helps the probiotic lactobacilus-vaginalis to grow happily. But definitely don't start that until you are all healed up!

WHATEVER you do don't use anything agressive in the douche - clean is good, positively antiseptic is NOT because if you use anything other an iodiine or salt solution you will damage the newly formed tissue.

Valerie, I would send Asclepiade a quick email and tell them the problem.  They are usually pretty quick about getting back to you.  It sounds like yeast, but I'm just guessing, judging by the smell and the color of the discharge.  Worst case, I've had my GP take a looksie a couple times at stuff.

mamba

Many thanks girls, I never heard of Femina Flora till I read it here, I could have done with it 20years ago when I had my redone, a lot of information to take in, I havent had a yeast infection in years thank goodness.
p

I keep reading about douching but Dr. Bowers is dead set against it.  I have heard from females for years that douching is a no no.  Dr. Bowers said she doesn't recommend it at all. 

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Post Merge: May 24, 2010, 10:22:25 PM

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Douching gets rid of the good bacteria as well as bad.  Maybe that is why you all are getting yeast in the first place.  I am no Dr. but it seems that The SRS Drs. methods are totally different.  Dr. Bowers said also to only dilate 3 times a day for 15 mins during the first 3 mths then twice a day for 3 more mths.  Now I do it 3 times a day but If I am watching tv, I will leave it in for sometimes an hr.  Just depends and at 2 weeks, I already had made it up to the middle dilator and then the next day to the biggest one.  I am 3 weeks post tomorrow. 

[I thought I might just post here, rather then start a new thread, my question and comments are right on target with the theme of this post!]

Hi All,

So now, even 7 months into healing from SRS, I still have yellowish discharge, and wear/change liners 2-4x a day.  I really haven't established a normality of what to expect from my new 'area', and so really have no baseline to compare what I'm experiencing.

Since the beginning, I have had a strong scent, at first it was unpleasant to me, but grew on me over time.  But I had absolutely no idea if it was 'normal' or not.   But it was strong. I could even smell it, like if I wore a skirt to work, on occasion.  My purse has liners and a pack of baby wipes in it, *always*.  I got mildly concerned, and went to the doctor about 4 weeks ago, and a test was ordered.   It came back positive for BV.  Which isn't particularly abnormal or disconcerting, as there are no symptoms like rash, etc, with the exception of the strong scent.

Sooo, the doctor gave me a choice of taking anti-biotics, or going at it with homepathic methods, like those mentioned in this thread.  (vinegar douch, femina flora, tea tree oil, etc.....)

This is all very hard for me to wrap together.  I really need to get a vaginal health routine together.  I'm loathe to take anti-biotics, as it's like a  complete wipe-out of the flora, and I don't want to do that lightly.  Like, I don't want to take the anti-biotics, and just have it re-occur, because I really don't know the best way to take care of my vagina after that.  They don't really give you instructions on this part of life at the clinic, lol.

I had read this thread when it was originally posted on, and indeed, at the 4 month mark when I decided to quit douching, I then did a completed Femina Flora routine.  It didn't seem to change anything.. my scent, and secretions were the same.

So, I have this prescription for Flagyl.   I'm kinda stuck, trying to piece together the plethora of information on the internet, the DR, this thread, SRS-Vagina vs natal-vagina flora's.... and figure out a routine that works for me.. and all I get is dizzy, and frustrated lol.

I don't even know what to ask.  Something like, if I decide to go with the anti-biotics, how do I figure out a routine that carries me forward that reduces the restart of the BV.

Here's my tentative plan, thoughts?:

First 10 days:
1.  Take Anti-biotics for the 10 day cycle.
2.  Douche every other day with cider vinegar solution (through this 10 day wipeout period).
3.  Eat a helping (or three) of yogurt containing Acidophilus each day.  (read on several women's health sites)
4.  Take Folic Acid supplements daily.  (once again, read as

After 10 days:
1.  No douching.  (or once a week cider vinegar douche?)  Need to figure this out, everyone has a different opinion.
2.  Folic Acid Supplement daily.
3. Keep eating the yogurt.  (tasty!).
4. Do Femina Flora (they have it at my local health food store).  OR yogurt injections.  The goal being to get healthy bacteria into the vagina.

I also wonder if the lubrication from dilations isn't partly at fault.  I use a bacteriostatic lubricating medical-grade jelly, not sure if that could be a problem.  It would seem like it wouldn't cause issues...

Any comments?  Can someone just give me a sweeping answer that solves all of my vaginal problems?  Or at least helps me in my efforts to make sense of all the information out there to establish a sensible routine for vaginal health ..  :P

*huggs*,
Melan

I'll agree with Natalie's post re: probiotics worked for me for a yeast infection. For a couple of month Post op i used Betadyne to douch with that used to help with nasty smells but you cant get betadyne anymore arr oh well dont think i need it anymore im 21 years post op and had two bad Yeast infections which were cured once with canistan combi then once just recently using Probiotic Yogurt which sounds yuk but works realy well. But i would go see the doc just incase its a bacteria infection treating one if its the other will make it realy bad so go get checked out just incase then once you know what the difference is you can safely teat it on your own if its a yeast infection.

Kerry

Quote from: fluffynuf on September 27, 2010, 05:40:05 PM
I'll agree with Natalie's post re: probiotics worked for me for a yeast infection. For a couple of month Post op i used Betadyne to douch with that used to help with nasty smells but you cant get betadyne anymore arr oh well dont think i need it anymore im 21 years post op and had two bad Yeast infections which were cured once with canistan combi then once just recently using Probiotic Yogurt which sounds yuk but works realy well. But i would go see the doc just incase its a bacteria infection treating one if its the other will make it realy bad so go get checked out just incase then once you know what the difference is you can safely teat it on your own if its a yeast infection.

Kerry

I now use a probiotic and an occasional vinegar solution douche - but if you want a betayne equivalent it is available under the name Videne. I don't use it myself - but my partner still does.

After dialating, I go to the toilet and clean up as well as I can.
I sleep on a towel as the lube.. Umm.. Leaks out over night.

I take acidoplilus daily to help balance the biotics. but...
I hear douching is bad, but I just used clean water (out of the shower head) this morning. Day after day of dialating with out cleaning my self out leads me to feel like its an ideal way to get a yeast infection.

Should I try a teaspoon of distilled vinegar in the water?

well I use Cider vinegar. if you look on various female health sites there is an approximate recommended dosage too. The idea is to slightly acidify the water so that it is of the same PH as the vagina would normally be.

BUT please don't try it until you are fully healed - you don't want to damage newly healing skin by putting anything on it which is that acidic. Until then if you must douche then a teaspoon full of salt in warm water will be better for you.

In the old days the surgeons used to tell us to douche with diluted videne solution (used to be called betadine) which has iodine in it and thus promoted healing, but these days they don't and I think on the whole you should follow the advice that you are given unless there is a very good reason not to do so.