I am so glad that I found this board! I was just diagnosed with VIN; I went through a lot to get to this diagnosis and wanted to share my experiences so others may benefit. I agree with many postings here...if your Dr.doesn't try everything in their toolkit to diagnose and treat you effectively, keep after them OR get a second opinion. I have had good health (in terms of my womens health) until a few months ago. I started to have some itching in my vulvar areas and it started to become mildly uncomfortable when my husband and I would have sex. I was due for my pap/annual exam, so I mentioned my symptoms to my OB/GYN and he diagnosed (after an office 'culture') me with a yeast infection and prescribed diflucan (oral yeast infection treatment). I felt a bit better, any discharge was now gone, but the itching was still there. I also noticed what looked like varicose veins on my right labia; he brushed those off. I went back in and he did another culture and sent this one off to the lab; it came back that I had Bacterial Vaginosis; put me antibiotics; same symptoms after I finished taking them. Went back in for a vulvoscopy (he acted like we didnt need to do it); he soaked my vulva in vinegar soaked gauze and it burned in several places. He found one several millimeter-sized spot, numbed it with a local anesthetic (ouch!) and took a sample for biopsy. Meanwhile, my husband (who has been very supportive) is getting worried/impatient/etc. and we are being intimate about once a week (of course, we would both like for more!). After two weeks of being VERY worried, I find out I have a very mild dysplasia. The Dr thought the laser ablation would be too extreme (and what about the parts that didn't show up on the vulvoscopy? how do we treat those?) and we agreed to try the Aldara cream...I have read up on it and have read about women's experiences with it and I am bracing myself for the worst. I have done one treatment this week and while it doesn't feel much worse (yet), my husband and I were intimate last night and I felt like my vulva/labia were swollen and there was some mild pain in the area where the Dr. took the original biopsy. I have a feeling the side-effects for the Aldara will get worse; but I want this to heal up and go away. I understand that VIN, if left untreated in some women, DOES turn into vulvar cancer in about 10 years...best to catch early and suffer a bit now, then be faced with full-blown cancer at some point. I am also going to try acupuncture and seeking the advice of a naturopath. Healing starts from within and I figure I may as well put as much good stuff in to help my immune system. I am also trying to keep my spirits up (cause I am scared!) and enjoy my life. I am newly married to a wonderful man and I am just not going to let this get me/us down!
Good luck to all you ladies out there...chin up and keep on asking questions and sharing stories! I know I felt a lot better when I realized I was not alone!
Peace, Suzi