Scheduled Vulvar Biopsy

Hi Skate Mama

Sorry I do not have any experience re your present problems, but I did start early menopause at the age of 29, said to be caused by the Pineal gland & stress messed up all my hormones  ........ that meant no children & when I went to the Doc. in my 30s re 'dry vagina' he said it was cos of early meno. & I had the vagina of a 60+ year old (great for my sex life to know that, not that I let it stop me having sex).  I also have hypothyroidism, not discovered until my late 40's when I went to a bone specialist, yes also have osteoporosis, the thyroid problem was taking my calcium. ---------- I am now an elderly female & have been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma.

I am sure you will receive the advice you need, it's so very important to know what is happening, & I am thinking of you & wishing you all the very best & that soon you will be back to feeling well & happy.

Regards

Aprilsue

Hi skate mama, I have had a couple of biopsies recently so although no expert I'm happy to share my experience with you! I thankfully didn't find the experience too painful... mine was over very quickly. I only had one area biopsied  each time and was given local anaesthetic. The hospital provided panty liners after. The area was a bit sore for a day or so but not awful. The sites took around 2 weeks to fully heal but I was advised to just shower as usual. I found it helpful to sit on a pillow if i felt uncomfortable. I waited about 10 days for the result of the first biopsy and haven't received the results from my second one yet... best of luck xoxo

April sue,

Thank you so much for your response. I was beginning to feel so very alone in my condition, as my peer group are still having babies and haven’t even entered perimenopause. I’m sorry to hear you didn’t get the chance to have children, as my son has kept me going and is “my reason”. 

I am frustrated by the lack of information and open conversation of such topics as post-menopausal atrophy of the exterior vulva and such...I never was warned and am so thankful for online support.

Thank you again for your response, and I will be keeping a good thought for you as well.

Skate Mama

Hi Summer Blue!

Thanks so much for you insight into what I will be undergoing on Monday. I’m terrified. You made me feel more comfortable with the biopsy procedure and although I haven’t needed a pantyliner or any special supplies since my autoimmune ovarian failure and premature menopause, I will pick up a pack of pantyliners just in case I need them.

I sure hope my biopsy goes as smoothly as you reported yours went. 

I’m also quite concerned because I’ve noticed (and confirmed by Gyn) that I have both vaginal atrophy and Vulvar atrophy. It’s frightening to look down there and see your bits no longer look the same on both sides. I fear that this is because of being 20+ years post menopausal. I just wonder why nobody talks about what happens to the female vagina after menopause -except for the dryness, I never knew this could or would happen.

Anyway, I’m feeling a bit more positive about the upcoming biopsy & want to thank you for your reply. I’ll be keeping a good thought for you and your latest biopsy results.

Skate Mama

Skate Mama, I am sorry for not responding sooner to your post either. If I read it right you are going in for your biopsy this coming Monday? I live in the U.S. and I've had my share of biopsy experience...I've had over 160! Every doctor is different but I've now had the same Gynecologist Oncologist Surgeon since 2013. 

Some doctors do up to 6 in the office and some, if it's over that will take you to the OR. BUT it sounds like your's will be done in the office which is less stressful especially for your first time. Mine usually does a colposcopy along with the biopsy. All that is, is a vinegar type solution that they may rub on with a Q-tip like applicator that allows them to see skin discolor changes and helps them with the biopsy. They will then numb the area, and to be honest this is really the only part that hurts because it stings and it's in a tender area. It's not horrendous but probably depends on your pain tolerance. After you are numb you won't feel the punch biopsy. Again all doctors are different, they may cauterize the biopsy site, leave it open or put a couple stitches in them. I prefer the stitches because it heals so much quicker and doesn't hurt as much when you pee after your numbness wears off. 

Ask for a peri-bottle, that is just a little plastic squirt bottle you can fill with warm or cool water to both squirt while you pee (for comfort) and again after you pee to keep the area clean, because you will only want to pat dry until the areas are healed. After big biopsies or surgeries I always use a cool blow dryer to dry the area well before putting on my underwear so it is dry and not moist. Some women on here say their doctors do not recommend this but all of mine have so you may want to ask your Dr. first. Yes, you will most likely be given a pad after the procedure and you may have bleeding for a few days and want protection for your underwear.

A sitz bath is nice but you probably won't need one for your biopsies. I have a very high tolerance for pain so I usually took one day off after procedure then went back to work the next day if it was five or under biopsies but everyone is different and there is no right or wrong time to heal. 

Your doctor should give you a time frame that the pathology results come back, I know I've waited as long as two weeks but most of the time its 3-5 days. Sometimes it's hard for them to read them when there is so much lichen sclerosis.

I am 48, I developed LS in my 20's then it went away until I turned 38, my Vulva Cancer ordeal is not the norm and it's been a tough road and it keeps following me hot on my heels but my best advice is to be diligent and keep up with all of your follow up appointments and look down there for any changes you may feel or see. Oh, I am menopausal too, mine was chemo and radiation induced in Dec. 2016.

Oh, after you heal a couple days, I put a vaseline or aquaphor on the biopsy sites if they itch. 

Thank you for reading this long post but I hope it puts your mind at ease a bit. We will all be thinking of you. Good luck and keep us posted.

Love, Lisa

Oh sweet Lisa!

Thank you so much for your response. Yes, my biopsy is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Turns out (laughing and nervous) I’m a big chicken when it comes to the dentist and some doctors. I’m scared shitless, honestly. 

I cannot believe you’ve had over 160 biopsies, dear lord. I am trying to justify not having 1, let alone having 150 more - what a strong woman you are! And...work after a day of rest. Wow...unfortunately, dear, I am a chicken. Flat out chicken. 

I have 3 areas affected with god knows what - my best guess is LS, but...it could be a couple of things. I have never even had a UTI or Blatter Infection. I am not sexually active anymore and recently heard the saying, “if you don’t use it, you lose it.” (I’m thinking that menopause was my worst battle, now...this?)

I have a long white streak on one side of where the labia minors attaches to other skin, All of this happened, like overnight! Or at least I feel like it did. I have atrophy of one side of my labia minora, clitoral hood lesion, and white patches on side of labia minora and on perineal area. I’m freaking out, right? I KNOW it’s not an STD, but...that was the hospitals first & second line of swabs blood, urine, etc...

Who do I ask for the Peri-bottle? What is a peribottle? Is it like a ketchup dispenser at a picnic? Can I buy one at my local drug store or is it a specialty item? Because I have fissures popping up everywhere, it already hurts to pee and poo, causing fissures to worsen and stinging. 

I am so sorry to hear that you’ve been dealing with this since your 20’s. Wow! I honestly cannot imagine. You are an extremely brave and tough lady. I admire your honesty and your ablility to walk thru this - I am keeping a good thought for you. Why on Earth would the doctors take so many biopsies? Darn. 

Your post & posts from the others have brought great comfort to me. I appreciate the support. I’m not sure why women (in the U.S. at least, don’t speak about such things with family and/friends and it is not taught in schools) The truth is, since I went thru menopause after having my son, I didn’t get educated on anything post-menopausal...

thanks again!

Skate Mama 

Also...I did some online research & I went to the pharmacy.

I got Tucks, a Peri bottle, XL box of Baking Soda, & Replens (to use later, when I am healed up from biopsy. I plan to use it as a personal moisturizer, but...might end up just using coconut oil. Idk...

I doubt I will be able to sleep tonight. I’m super terrified. 

The truth is this: I currently am having labial atrophy and from what my gyn said last time, I have internal atrophy as well. I am not sure that my exterior bits are “normal” for a post-menopausal woman, but...it’s freaking me out. And, the fissures hurt...it seriously almost looks like I sat on a powdered sugar donut on my left side and perineum. Terrified...

Please, keep a good thought for me. I don’t really have anyone (except for you ladies) 

Nobody talks about anything like this in the U.S. and if they do, I don’t know anyone. 

Any other helpful advice is appreciated & prayers are greatly appreciated.

whats a girl to do during the biopsy wait period...I waited almost 2weeks for the biopsy and I’ll need to wait another few for the results. 

Thanks so much ladies. I gotta stay strong for my 22 year old son (who is also concerned) - I haven’t gone into details with him about what it could be yet. I’m just gonna keep connected with you all and I’ll let him know when I know for sure.

Much love & Respect 

Skate Mama

Hi Skate Mama

Sending you healing love & prayers. x

Awe...thank you, Aprilsue!

I need to share what happened earlier today with you ladies - took my stress to a whole new level. I’ll share the details probably tomorrow. 

Just a few more hours until the biopsy...

So glad you got a peri-bottle! Please fill us in when you are up to it how you are feeling and how long they told you Pathology may take?

Thinking of you,
Lisa
Did I mention I live in the US too. I am from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan