Some women suffer with irritation consisting of dryness, chafing and itching intermittently for years thinking that it’s a mild yeast infection or sensitivity to irritants in the products that touch the vulvar tissues when in fact it’s not. Instead an vulvar condition called Lichen Sclerosus can elude doctors during it’s early stages for years causing these symptoms. Changes in the skin start out as subtle wrinking, shinyness and stickyness of the skin. As it progresses, the tissues lying adjacent to each other such as the periclitoral tissues, the interlabial folds and the base of the vagina can fuse together causing linear fusion lines. If pulled apart these fused areas can crack open causing small paper-cut fissures which brings a new symptom of burning & stinging. Also the tissues surrounding the vaginal opening can turn slightly blanched-white. This can include the peri-anal area. The whitening can be splotchy or smooth with symmetric bilateral outlines. Many doctors including gynecologists can entirely overlook the early signs of the condition. Consider the plight of the patient below:

“I was diagnosed by Dr. Fowler 3 1/2 months ago with Lichen Sclerosis. I had seen 5-10 doctors trying to figure out how to help me with the symptoms I was having, and get a diagnosis. I was so frustrated and felt like nothing was going to help me relieve my symptoms. After seeing Dr. Fowler, he helped me know exactly what I needed to do to improve, and answers came! I started feeling better quickly and learned how to manage my symptoms feeling like I can lead a normal life again! Overall I'm 80% better at this point." J. Sahuarita, AZ

Even when general gynecologists make the correct diagnosis, commonly they prescribe superpotent corticosteriods on an intermittent basis. While suprapotent corticosteriods have their role, using them each time the condition flares is not the best way to effectively mamage the condition. Lichen Sclerosus belongs to the family of dermatoses. Other conditions in this diagnostic category which are better known include ezcema, psoriasis, and seborrhea or dandruff. These conditions are chronic meaning they cannot be cured so they must be managed on an on-going basis. Its best to get the condition suppressed then continue a maintainence cream to keep it in check. Another common mistake that even gynecologists make is that they tell patient that it requires a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. This could not be farther from the truth. The only time a biopsy is necessary is to exclude the possibility for precancer or cancerous transformation. Whenever there is thickening known as leukoplakia then this site warrants biopsy. To learn more about Lichen Sclerosus, contact Fowler Gyn International (FGI). They have developed effective treatment protocols for Lichen Sclerosus which is the result of years of clinical observation and research by the founder, board certified gynecologist, Dr. R. Stuart Fowler. Contact them at http://www.fowlergyninternational.com/contact-us to learn more.

Feeling like you are getting no where for the treatment of vulvodynia? Consider the five years of frustration by the patient below. Can you relate?

Five years ago, I was first diagnosed with BV. Little did I know that it would be a long, painful, and extremely frustrating journey that disrupted my physical and sexual well being. I was diagnosed with BV again and again. My gynecologist did little to help me. She prescribed the same antibiotics for me for years every time I came in. The ongoing infection never seemed to go away. The only other treatment tried by my gynecologist was some sort of dye, which she tried once with no luck. She never suggested anything new or other options, even though over the years and frequent visits she came to know me very well. It almost seemed to not phase her, as if it were normal for this woman in her 20s. My sex life and my relationship was stressed, because of this ongoing problem. I felt guilt for not being able to do things with my body that I wanted to and should be able to at my age. My relationship suffered. I feared having sex, because I feared being in pain and having to tell my partner to stop. What should be something for a couple to enjoy together became something that I feared and put off, or even suffered through the pain. Even at work I would be in pain walking around sometimes to the point of tears. Well, I lost my insurance coverage for a while and went to Planned Parenthood to get my medications. It got to the point that I went through 12-14 rounds of antibiotics... I had had enough. There had to be someone out there who knew more then what other doctors I had seen knew. I started looking up specialists in women's vaginal health online. I then found Dr. Fowler's website and watched his video. Finally, maybe someone who could help me. NOW I'm like a billion time better!!! I'm very pleased. The pain with intercourse has resolved so it is so nice to have a regular sex life again. D. Phoenix, AZ

This would seem like an unusual situation but at Fowler Gyn International in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Fowler has seen hundreds of women who have seen one provider who offers the same treatment over and over or multiple providers who have offered the same treatments. Why? Because very few gynecologists have little if any training in the mamagement of vulvovaginal conditions. Their knowledge is rudimentary. Despite this, the insurance companies continue to pay them for each visit, so the financial reward remains despite their lack of expertice. At Fowler Gyn International (FGI), they have developed effective treatment protocols for pain with intercourse which is the result of years of clinical observation and research by the founder, board certified gynecologist, Dr. R. Stuart Fowler. Contact them at http://www.fowlergyninternational.com/contact-us to learn more.

BLOG NOVEMBER 7TH, 2015

Patient with vaginal burning, ask me all the time, “How did this happen to me?” Most of my patients have seen multiple doctors and have been told there is nothing that they can identify which is wrong. Meaning all the tests they have at their disposal come back negative. This is a common scenario with the condition known as vulvodynia. See if you relate to the patients testimony below:

“It all started at the lake with a UTI. The burn never went away after taking antibiotics.  The symptoms went on for 5 years, and now oh my gosh, I don't believe it after 8 months of using Dr. Fowler's protocol I'm 70-80% better. There are so many more good days than bad which is so awesome. I have a life again, I didn't have a life, it was depressing for sure. I'm happy. Nothing worse than feeling discomfort everyday. No body knowing what was wrong with me made me feel crazy. I saw about about 10 doctors. It became very depressing, not one Doc could find out what was going on with my body. Every test was negative, but the burn that I had I knew that something was wrong. I had seen so many Dr's and it is so emotionally draining to hear "nothing is wrong with you!” It would keep me up at night, any forms of exercise would be too much. It affected my marriage, I would burn for days after sex. After feeling like there was no other choice I went to the Mayo Clinic is AZ. It was there I learned of Dr. Fowler. Dr. Magrina at the Mayo Clinic referred me to Dr. R. Stuart Fowler at his private practice. Dr. Fowler changed my life!!! With intercourse I don't burn at all any longer! If you have symptoms that I had of burning, stinging, and pain, go see him! The money I spent was nothing compared to the freedom I feel being pain free. My husband adds, "She's a new woman." B. Boulder City, Nevada.

Lets take a closer look at her comments. It’s not uncommon for vulvodynia to start after a course of antibiotics in the women with the propensitivity to do so. Antibiotics alter the relative concentrations of the bacteria bathing the skin at the opening of the vagina known as the vestibule. Overall most women will not be affected by exposure to antibiotics but there is a very small percentage that have a propensitivity of having skin that is easier to sensitize than the general population. The reason they have not experienced the burning before in their lives despite the underlying propensitivity is that uaually it takes two or more contributing factors to occur at the same time.

At Fowler Gyn International (FGI), they have developed effective treatment protocols for vuvodynia which is the result of years of clinical observation and research by the founder, board certified gynecologist, Dr. R. Stuart Fowler. Contact them at  http://www.fowlergyninternational.com/contact-us to learn more.

BLOG OCTOBER 31ST

A SCARY CONDITION

Do you have vaginal dryness that seems to defy your providers? How can this be? You live on a planet where heart transplants have become commonplace but you can’t find anybody to fix your vagina? You know that your vagina is supposed to be lush, pink, moist and pliable and feel sensual with sex. Are you thinking, why is my vagina dry, tight and feels like hot sandpaper with intercourse? The answer in most cases is that the vagina demands more estrogen than it is getting. How simple is that? Actually, it’s not so simple in some cases. The problem is that all the US pharmaceutic companies combined make less than a handful of vaginal preparations for this problem. If this is your problem, you need a vaginal expert to analyze your vaginal secretions and formulate a custom compounded preparation for you. Consider the following statement from a patient of vaginal expert Dr. R. Stuart Fowler in Phoenix Arizona:

“Following a complete hysterectomy in my 30's, I had been placed on a variety of HRT (both pharmaceutical and bio-identical) over the course of the next ten years, as I was thrown into complete menopause. Some products had no effect, while others had horrible side-effects. Through bio-identical hormones, I was finally able to get most of my symptoms under control, except for the vaginal dryness. The doctors in my area were competent and WONDERFUL, but unable to grasp exactly why all of the creams and potions they were prescribing me were not absorbing or providing relief. I became desperate, as my normal active life was coming to a halt. I had to stop intercourse and exercise, and even my desk job and performing normal activities was becoming painful. I finally turned to the internet for help, and I came across Dr. Fowler's website. Luckily for me, Dr. Fowler's practice was only a five hour drive away; although, I was at my wits end and willing to fly across the country for a chance of feeling better. The vaginal dryness eventually consumed EVERY aspect of my life. I was unable to have intercourse, however, after one month of treatment with Dr. Fowler, I was able to resume intercourse. In addition, the dryness had become so bad that I could feel tearing of the vaginal tissue and itching as I walked and moved from a sitting to standing position. This made even working at my desk horrendously uncomfortable.  Again, after just a few weeks, I felt tons and tons and tons better. The itching and dryness were all gone, and the burring with intercourse 100% resolved.” H. Las Vegas, NV

At Fowler Gyn International (FGI), they have developed a Vaginal Fluid Analysis test which is the result of years of clinical observation and research by the founder, board certified gynecologist, Dr. R. Stuart Fowler. Contact them at  http://www.fowlergyninternational.com/contact-us to learn more. Get evaluated at FGI and experience the difference and true hope for resolution of your vaginal symptoms.

BLOG OCTOBER 12, 2015

Many women with vulvar irritation manifest as itching, dryness, chafed and/or variable degrees of soreness are commonly told by their gynecologist, often without any proof, than heavy yeast. It has been Dr. R. Stuart Fowler’s experience as a vulvovaginal specialist for the past two decades and having seen thousands of women with these symptoms, the underlying problem is usually NOT yeast. Yeast may be present and causing symptoms but this is just a reflection of the underlying problem. Consider the following patient:

“I have had a yeast problem for the past 10 years giving me burning and itching and normal doctor visits did not cure the problem. I was disappointed with all the continuing symptoms and my husband started looking for some type of specialist to address this situation.  He was fortunate to find Dr. Fowler's website, FowlerGynInternational.com and got excited that it addressed the same type of problems I was having. We called and made an appointment. Dr. Fowler examined me and immediately placed me on a protocol for treatment. I adhered strictly to his protocol and saw immediate results…with a 100% relief after 2 months. I highly recommend Dr. Fowler as he has cured my problem.”  M. Las Vegas, Nevada

Women such as this women from Las Vegas are often suffering from an altered vaginal micro-flora pattern. This means there has been a shift in the vaginal bacterial milieu. These are not contagious or infectious but result in secretions that bathe the vagina down to the opening and beyond causing irritation to the external genital tissues. The altered flora can cause the ‘culture media conditions’ in the vagina to be more conducive to growth of yeast so recurrent yeast may be a secondary factor. But if only the yeast is treated, this is like bandaid therapy because the yeast will likely just reoccur several weeks later, whereas if the cause for the altered vaginal micro-flora is treated then the condition resolves. You may ask, “Does my gynecologist know how to treat altered vaginal micro-flora patterns?” The answer is...not likely. It takes advanced microscopic equipment and additional training in the recognition of vaginitis types beyond the four most common types as traditionally taught in medical schools/residency programs.

At Fowler Gyn International (FGI), they have developed effective treatment protocols to treat the underlying cause of recurrent bacterial and/or yeast infections which is the result of years of clinical observation and research by the founder, board certified gynecologist, Dr. R. Stuart Fowler. You can contact them at  http://www.fowlergyninternational.com/contact-us to learn more. Get evaluated at FGI and experience the difference and true hope for resolution of symptoms.

“I first started having the symptoms about 2 years ago. I saw a few gynecologists and none of them could find out what was wrong. They all diagnosed me with recurrent yeast or bacterial infection and put me on antibiotics, but my condition did not improve. Tired of not feeling like myself, I decided to give it another try and went to see another gynecologist referred to me by a friend. Thanks to Dr. Richards I found out about Dr. Fowler. I flew to Arizona to see Dr. Fowler. From my first visit, I could tell I had finally found a doctor that knew what he was talking about. Dr. Fowler diagnosed me with a case of Vulvodynia and put me on a strict regimen for 4 months. Right away I started to feel better. No more itching, burning or yeast infection. I finally  feel like myself again. What a relief! All I can say is: Dr. Fowler you are a genius and your magic works! Thank you so very much for all your help.”  C. from Glenwood, New Jersey.

A lady in Alaska found our practice, Fowler Gyn International (FGI) online. Out of desperation for help after treatment from 3 different doctors she traveled all the way to Phoenix, Arizona to see me. How common is this? This happens every week at FGI with women coming from all over the United States. Why? Because here at FGI we use advanced diagnostic techniques. We test differently and we treat differently. The success of the approach in unprecedented and documented by numerous testimonies of women who have seem multiple other doctors and undergone multiple therapies before coming to FGI. Here are her comments:

"I've had pain with intercourse for the last 4 years, which has been very frustrating. I've seen 3 different doctors trying to resolve the problem with no success. In fact surgery was suggested as a possibility or steroid injections in the vagina, neither was a choice I wanted. Finally one of my doctors suggested I seek help from a specialist in the lower 48. I got online to research doctors and found Dr. Stuart Fowler. I first saw him in November of 2012, again for a follow up in June 2013 and now November 2013 I have no pain!!! It took awhile and a lot of dedication to the protocol I was put on, but well worth the result.” Thank you Dr. Fowler from both my husband and myself." L. - Eagle River, Alaska

We DO NOT USE the same treatments being advocated by even the other vulvovaginal specialists here at FGI. WHY? Because none of them consistently work. So if you come here you WILL NOT GET...one of the tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, or anti-seizure medication such as gabapentin, or recommendation for pelvic floor muscle PT or biofeedback, or recommendation for surgery, i.e. vestibulectomy. Come for a visit and SEE THE DIFFERENCE in approach. We believe we have discovered the sine qua non for successful treatment.

The condition of Vulvodynia has perplexed gynecologists for over a century. It is known as one of the most distressing gynecologic conditions next to cancer that a woman can experience. It manifests as spontaneous or provoked burning, stinging and rawness of the vulvar tissues. The burning pain can be so intense that it controls every lifestyle decision from the type of activities able to be engaged in, to the types of clothing tolerated, to the loss of desire and/or inability to have intimate relations. Also, it can make it difficult to focus and concentrate in the work place. Only sleep can lead to escape from being conscious of the vulvar pain. Countless relationships, marriages and job positions have been thrown in havoc and/or disrupted over the problem.

Support groups, societies and conventions have been organized throughout this country to draw attention to the condition and entice researchers to find the etiology. To the present date, the medical literature and most authorities, Dr. Fowler not included, state that the cause of vulvodynia is “idiopathic” or of unknown etiology. In fact, for a patient with vulvar pain to be diagnosed with “vulvodynia” some experts boldly claim that there can be no associated finding other than variable redness of the vestibule or the condition is not vulvodynia. Dr. Fowler finds this absurd, inferring that an underlying aberration at whatever microscopic or biochemical level for vulvodynia does not exist.

The first case suggestive of vulvodynia was reported in a London address by J. Marion Sims, MD in 1861. Thereafter, a number of reports appeared during the Victorian Era in the United States. Nearly a century passed with less than a handful of articles published. Then a resurgence of cases manifest in the 1980’s prompting Dr. A. W. Young to report these occurrences to the International Society of the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease  (ISSVD) task force in 1984.

The first-ever national awareness campaign was launched by the National Institutes of Health in October of 2007 at the National Press Club in WashingtonDC. This campaign was spearheaded by the NIH Office of Research for Women’s Health in consultation with the National Vulvodynia Association, a non-profit organization and was joined by 30 governmental agencies and health organizations. The topic has been a matter of discussion on the Oprah Winfrey Show as well as Dr. OZ. Twenty-nine years from the first report to the ISSVD, the general medical community is no closer to understanding the etiology then it was at that time. Looks like researchers perused the wrong leads.

Dr. Fowler has been a member of the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases (ISSVD) since 1996. Having actively participated in the World Congress meetings, he has had privy to the latest research and discussions. He has noted that physicians around the world have been mislead by the location of the pain in trying to determine its etiology. It’s not so much being shortsighted as it is a lack of advanced diagnostic equipment and skills to determine other significant contributing factors. At the offices and laboratory of  Fowler Gyn International in PhoenixArizona, Dr. R. Stuart Fowler uses advanced microscopic diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols that consistently result in marked to total resolution of symptom in the majority of women with vulvodynia; lack of response is the exception to the norm. When Dr. Fowler polled the audience of the world’s experts at the World Congress XVIII meeting of the ISSVD in New Zealand, only 4 other providers affirmed they even had the equipment to diagnose with the same capability as Dr. Fowler. Given the expense of the equipment, the discipline needed to master the skill set, the unpopularity of dealing with vulvar pain by general gynecologists, and the poor reimbursement rates for office microscopy, it’s no surprise that few gynecologists have a working knowledge of vulvodynia let alone how to effectively treat the condition. Testimonies of women with vulvodynia successfully treated by Dr. Fowler can be found at FowlerGynInternational.com. The large number of testimonies is an indicator that Dr. Fowler may well have solved the mystery of this perplexing condition i.e. what is the underlying etiology. After all, this needs to be understood before effective treatment can be directed towards the inciting factor/s.

At the Mayo Clinic Annual Staff Meeting held November 14, 2013, Dr. R. Stuart Fowler's retirement was recognized as follows:

"In recognition of his attaining emeritus status after twenty-one years of service among them, his colleagues present this token of their esteem and of their gratitude for his being a role model of the consummate Mayo physician: an innovative clinician, educator, and active researcher; for his research in phase-contrast microscopic analysis and quantification of vaginal constituents resulting in understanding the etiology and treatment of poorly understood conditions such as chronic vaginitis and vulvodynia, earning him international recognition; for his unique and original contribution in the correlation of altered vaginal micro-flora patterns in patients with vulvar pain; for his application of these findings into his practice, providing thousands of patients with complete relief of vulvovaginal symptoms; for his publications and international presentations, which reflect his continued dedication to these disorders; for his demeanor, work ethic and dedication, earning him great esteem by his colleagues; for his cheerfulness and unwavering energy; for his dedication to his family; and for his steadfast loyalty to that living body of high principles that were initiated by the founders, William James Mayo and Charles Horace Mayo."