I have what I'm assuming is vaginal dryness. It started the day after I started taking the birth control pill. (Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo)

My symptoms are just slight itching and a very small amount of burning.

Apparently, the pill can cause vaginal dryness?

Any warnings, comments, concerns, questions, stories for me?

And, the big question: sex seems to help relieve all of the itching. Is it okay to have sex while this is happening?

And no, it's not crabs.

...

...?

Thanks, that helps.

I was totally going to say crabs. :(

lol, okay.

No, I'm 100% positive it's not crabs.

That would've been my first guess too, though. If I wasn't me...you know.

Lobsters?

I sure as hell hope not. lol.

...but while I'm thinking about it, since Jessica mentioned it... If it does persist more than a couple of days, I'd check to see about a yeast infection, since birth control is also a contributor to those often. Like her, I haven't ever had one - so I don't know what they feel like, but I know BC and yeast infections sometimes go hand in hand.

LOL

Full blown Fungus infection....

Try some Vagisil or Cleanex.

Uhm... I wouldn't play around with a burning sensation in my vagina. Ever. Even a slight one.
I'd be at the doctor ASAP, not on a forum =/
I also sure wouldn't be having sex while that was going on...

I'm sorry, but I just think that's very stupid to do. If it's an infection or an STD you could be putting your partner at risk also.

I was on that pill for over a year, and never had a problem like that. Nor with any birth control I've been on.
Then again, I've never had a yeast infection either, so that could also be what it is.
I don't think a pill would start causing something like that after only a day.

Usually, a doctor tests you for STDs before they put you on birth control. It's kind of part of the pap you get when you get put on BC, lol. She's probably know if she had one. Everyone is different. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and it gave me horrible cramps. Yet some women have much, much better periods on it.

Adverse reactions could happen very quickly with lots of medication.

Lol, shows how much I know. I didn't get a pap when I was put on birth control the first time, and the second time I got it, I was still a virgin, so I didn't get STD tests.

The ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo scared the hell out of me. I'd get so angry out of absolutely nowhere when I was on it. I'd scream at my brother or something and then be like 'wow why the fuck did I just do that?' :-/ Did not like.

A yeast infection is not an STD. But it could still be passed on to her partner.

And it's not always compulsory to get STDs checked for prior to birth control. In fact in the UK there is no policy whatsoever of doing cervical smears before a woman can go on birth control. Cervical cancer is unrelated to birth control. Here, women are called for a smear every 3 years (every year is unnecessary). And birth control is dealt with seperately. STD screens can be requested at the same time as a smear, or any other time. They're not compulsory.

And she really needs to see her doctor, and not take advice off of people on here! Unless you've personally taken a full medical history from her, and LOOKED at her vagina, you can't possibly know what is causing it.

You know I thought the same thing about yeast infections. And I made my husband go get checked out after I found out I had one. His doctor told him it's impossible for men to get yeast infections. I think his doctor is full of crap/.

I didn't think it was compulsory to get an STD check in your yearly pap either, until I got a bill from a separate pathology lab after my last visit to the gynecologist. I was actually very angry and complained! First of all, I'm married, and if I wanted to get checked for STDs, I would ask for that. Secondly, I had an unexpected bill of $50 for them checking for STDs that I didn't request being checked for in the first place!

That's shocking. Surely you didn't consent to those tests then? The American healthcare system sounds worse and worse. :P I'd definitely complain. And see a different doctor in future.

i never got tested when i was put on BC pills.

I was never checked for STDS or given a pap test when I was put in BC

I was just treated for all STD's about a week ago. Negative for all.

And I meant soreness not burning.

And thanks for all the great advice.

Well you said burning, lol. Which would be a serious red flag to me, personally.
I also wouldn't have sex if I thought that something wasn't right down there.

Itching, burning, or otherwise.
Like I said, I'd be at the doctor.

A yeast infection is not an STD. And could have developed within the past week.

See your doctor!

sometimes women experience a burning sensation when they don't drink enough. i wouldn't be in such a hurry to the ER for burning because i was too stupid to drink something. i get this sometimes after long days of work and no being able to eat or drink a lot.

i'm not sure why though, lol. my sister in law gets it too... strrrrrange.

Oh no no, I didn't mean like the ER lol.
I'm very anti-ER unless I've got something broken or its an actual emergency.

Itchy/burning Vag can wait until my regular doctor has an opening lol.

well shit. i thought i read ER. but my thoughts remain the same, lol.