Irritation from latex or lubricants?

[poetgirl]

For those of you that also have vulvodynia/vulvar vestibulitis -- have you experienced any unusual irritation/burning/etc after having sex using a condom? My boyfriend used one last night because I had a gyno test this morning and I've been so uncomfortable ever since I got up this morning. I've had persistent burning and the whole area feels raw. My gynecologist said it didn't look bad except for one spot but apparently it hurts a lot worse than it looks!

This hasn't really been happening so much when we have sex without a condom (I'm on the pill...) but I remember that a while back when I used a condom the same thing happened (I also went into IC flares back then but the meds must be keeping that under control.)

I wonder if either the latex or the lubricant (or both)is irritating me. Grrr! It's so uncomfortable sitting down all day at work! cussing

[Nicole in ATL]

Hi Poetgirl,

The spermicide in condoms bothers me. I use the ones that are lubricated but have no spermicide.

Hope you feel better soon!
Nicole

[SunnyMcCall]

I have had the same problem since I can remember. Condoms have always bothered me (stinging, ect.). After the first time I had sex over a decade ago, I went on the pill. I have not used them since. As for lubricants, I have the same problem. I had tried KY Jelly, among others and they irritate me, instead of making me feel better, which I believe is the entire point.
I don't know if this information is helpful to you, as I am not 100% sure what is even wrong with me yet. I am close to ruling out IC. I am seeing a PT for weekly physical therapy. My doctor recommended I see one because he thinks I have Pelvic Floor Tension Myalgia.
I don't have any urgency with urination and could be the reason why my PT is rulling out IC.
Hope this was helpful a little??
Sunny

[poetgirl]

Nicole & Sunny,

Thanks for your replies -- very helpful to know. I suspected that there were others with a sensitivity to one or more of those products. Fortunately the burning went away within a day and I feel better now. I bet if I wasn't on all of my IC meds that might not be the case, because I do remember having used condoms about a year or two ago and having a similar reaction, that lasted a lot longer.

Sunny, let us know how the PFD stuff works out. You may very well not have IC (lucky for you!) but that doesn't mean that the PFD stuff doesn't affect you similarly to the way IC and VV do for the rest of us.

[KarenNielsen]

I don't have vulvodynia but am allergic to latex and spermicides anyway. I discovered a wonderful condem (had to mis-spell this word or my parental filter blanks it out!) by Durex called Avanti - it is designed for latex - sensitive people and is made from polyurethane. I think one other major condem company - maybe Trojan - is also making a polyurethane condem. I know other people who use the Durex Avanti even though not latex sensitive, because it is a particularly comfortable and well - made condem. (No, I don't work for Durex!). You may want to try these. --k

[smccrea]

Codoms.

Can't stand 'em.

I guess if you are suffering from these conditions or a latex allergy, as a woman, you'd probably better buy your own condoms.

I've never yet slept with a woman who could stand having them on at all.

It's like eating with your tongue wrapped in Saran-wrap. No fun at all.

You might try the vaginal insert unless you've got an Nonox-9 allergy. Then it wouldn't be so good.

It takes ten minutes to become effective. Probably it's because I'm male, but it's the longest ten minutes in my life since I got done with being catheterized.

The delay period does have it's benefits though. Depends on how creative a person you are.

lmao

[Dianne]

I'd bet on the spermacides in the condom first unless you've noticed a problem with latex in the past. Are you allergic to bananas or avocados? How do you do in a balloon store? You can have a latex allergy test (blood test) and know for sure. There is a brand of condoms that is latex free (vinyl) but forgot the name. Or you could try plain latex without spermacidals too. For lubricants, use Crisco or olive oil. Put it on him, not you so you get the least contact with it. Most people can tolerate Crisco though. P.S. Helpful hint on the Crisco: PUT THE DOGS AWAY BEFORE YOU START. My husband just about had a much more exciting evening than we had planned with three additional willing partners. LOL

[poetgirl]

I've never had a problem with latex (not allergic to bananas, avocados or balloon stores!) so I was surprised that I had experienced so much sensitivity. Maybe it was the lubricant they put on the condoms.

[EW1]

I have vulvodynia and cannot tolerate latex either. My gyno says the tissue in the vagina and around it is so thin that it needs to be built back up with estrogen cream and any little thing (even water sometimes) can irrate the skin. Along with non-latex condoms, you may want to try KY jelly Silk. It's a very thin and non-irratating lubricant. It really works for my boyfriend and me. Hope this helps!