My Life After Having A Radical Vulvectomy

Dear Loner, you have my heartfelt support.  I had a radical vulvectomy in 2023 including removal of clitoris.  I fully know where you are coming from.  At my age now, 75 sex isn’t as prominent as it was but I couldn’t bear penetration as it is uncomfortable and narrow in there, from my perspective of no clitoris then isn’t enjoyable.  My husband is understanding and we manage.  I am sorry you feel like you cannot get into a relationship.  Maybe chat with one of the Macmillan team here and they may be able to offer some help and guidance.  I am sure there is a loving partner out there for you.  Don’t remain a Loner for too long.  You are never alone here.  

Awwwwl thank you so much ma'am for the encouragement as well as a response.. it's taken me 21yrs to find a forum where i can speak about how that surgery affected me.. once again THANK YOU for taking thetime out to read my prior post.. ️️️

Bless you.  On this forum we all support each other and know how this diagnosis and treatment affects us.  The psychological effects are often more significant than the actual medical issues.  I know that I feel less of a woman, both to look at and to feel.  This issue isn’t really discussed in the hospital surroundings, but here we do discuss it.

As for your scar tissue, my surgeon suggested that I apply hydromel emollient a few times a day, this softens and moisturises, which makes me more comfortable. Please stay in touch. ️

Thank you!! I never heard of that!! Then again I began to feel like "It  is What It Is" ya know? But do you think that that would help? Especially since it's been 21yrs since I had the surgery 

Your GP may know but I think it is worth trying it.

Hi, I had a biopsy of the vulva and still reeling from the shock. I went for a TV ultrasound a week ago because I had experienced some post menopausal bleeding. The TV scan showed the uterus and ovaries were normal and the lining was only 2.1 mm. I was not seen by a Gynaecologist but was given the results of the scan by a Specialist nurse. She asked if she could examine me as some inflammation had been seen on the scan. I was told that I had severe vaginal atrophy and there were some red patches and inflammation in my vagina, urethra and cervix.  She has written in her report that the vulva was normal and she prescribed vaginal pessaries and said I may need to take these long term. I asked about a biopsy and she said this was not needed because the lining of the womb was only 2.1 mms. I didn’t feel comfortable leaving like this and range the Gynaecologist’s Secretary yesterday. I explained my symptoms and she asked if I was available to attend the Vulva clinic today  The gynaecologist was surprised to see me as I had only been seen last week and discharged back to my GP But said she would examine me. That is when everything changed, she said I had what looked like moles and several brown patches on my vulva. She asked if photographs could be taken and that she would need to take a biopsy. The biopsy was painless and I now have to wait an agonising few weeks for the results. My mind has gone into overdrive and I have already read that if this is melanoma the prognosis is very poor. Has anyone had warts/moles on the vulva removed or treated? 

Hello Jo27. I hope you don’t have to wait long for your biopsy results.  The waiting is horrendous, I know only too well.  Rather than go into my experience now, I would rather wait until you have your results.  I am perfectly well now, so all is good.

Thanks for your reply, pleased to hear you are OK and doing well. Just concerned that they took photographs today as well as the biopsy so thinking it must be bad news.

Not necessarily bad news, the photographs will just enable them to see any changes, if any.  I won’t say “don’t worry “ as that would be difficult.   It is normal to worry.  Please keep in touch.

Hello 

I have had my vulvectomy two months ago i still cannot sit as my uterus hurts a lot is this normal ?

I have undergone another one as biopsy showed an insitu

i have pain from the scars next to my vagina ( from my second operation which is a month ago) 

but I was wondering when will my uterus stop hurting after the vulvectomy ? did anyone had problems sitting down properly and for How Long?

I feel two months are a lot to heal from