Can they finally diagnose me? (Myco)

Asia’s journey: after years of pain, the turning point thanks to a special therapy

A girl’s testimony STD Swab Kit Mycoplasma Story:

“From the first treatment cycle, I immediately noticed incredible improvements.”

Cagliari – The appearance of painful and inexplicable STD symptoms, a long ordeal made up of visits and Mycoplasma tests in search of a diagnosis. And, finally, once the pathology has been identified, the difficulty of finding a doctor capable of treating it: among the story of Cecilia, who we reported in 2019, and that of Asia, there are many points in common. Last but not least, both girls managed to identify the disease they suffer from – vulvodynia – not thanks to their gynaecologist but by finding information on the internet in one of the forums and communities managed by associations dedicated to this condition. Yet vulvodynia is far from rare: it affects around 15% of young women.

Asia Martina Ciarla, a 21-year-old from Cagliari, has been living with this disease for five years, as per Mycoplasma Tests. Still, only a few months ago, she embarked on a path bringing her great benefits. STD Swab Kits and a new approach based on cortisone, analgesics and therapeutic cannabis, proposed by Dr. Tomaso Cocco, Director of the Simple Departmental Pain Therapy Structure at the “Binaghi” Hospital in the Sardinian capital. Now that the first improvements are finally starting to be seen, Asia has agreed to tell OMaR about her Mycoplasma experience to prevent other girls from spending years in pain, doubts, embarrassment and unnecessary expenses (because the disease is not yet recognised in the LEAs, the Essential Levels of Assistance of the National Health Service, even though a legislative proposal has been presented in this regard).

Asia, at what age did you start showing the first symptoms of vulvodynia?

“At 16-17 years old, with the first sexual intercourse. The symptoms can vary from person to person. But in my case, they included burning, tearing in the mucous membranes, recurrent cystitis, burning during urination and nausea caused by cramps in the lower abdomen. Initially, I thought it was a temporary problem and that to solve it with the STD Swab Kit, it would be enough to abstain from having intercourse, but I soon realised that this was not enough. Mycoplasma testing was also needed frequently to identify the pathogen. So I went to several gynaecologists, but they all told me the same thing, that is, that apparently, I didn’t have any anomalies and that I was perfectly healthy.”

How has your life changed since that moment?

“I didn’t know what was happening to me: in a short time, the STD symptoms began to occur more strongly and frequently until they became chronic, keeping me in bed for days. I could no longer leave the house. Even doing simple things like performing sporting activities, sitting or standing for too long or wearing tight clothing such as jeans had become a problem.”

And so the search for a diagnosis began…

“Yes, an ordeal began with endless useless visits and Mycoplasma tests. I searched all over Sardinia for an STD gynaecologist who understood what I had, but I only got incorrect diagnoses and treatments that only made the situation worse. Then, exploring the internet, I came across a site called Hale Community. They talk about chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, vulvodynia and cystitis. Everything was much clearer, so I started looking for a gynaecologist specialising in vulvodynia. After several searches, I found it, so I went to him, who performed the ‘STD swab kit’ (a non-invasive test for diagnosing Mycoplasma disease). Finally, all my doubts were dispelled because I was diagnosed with vulvodynia with pelvic hypertonicity“.

What did you feel at that moment?

“I felt relieved because, after years of research, I had concluded that my illness had a name. Consequently, I could find a cure more easily. From there, I began a therapy that included three different supplements I took twice a day. They were associated with muscle relaxants and physiotherapy to loosen the contracted pelvic floor muscles. The doctor told me to be patient because it would take many months for the therapy to work. Unfortunately, however, after another year, my STD symptoms didn’t show the slightest hint of improvement. I got worse and worse, and not even my gynaecologist didn’t know how to help me anymore.

I was now impatient and disoriented because I no longer knew who to turn to. From a psychological point of view, it was truly frustrating, in addition to no longer having the certainty of healing. I also found myself in front of healthcare professionals who told me that it was all in my head and that I probably just needed to relax or change partners”.

Until you underwent the new treatment proposed by Dr. Tomaso Cocco…

“Several months later, I learned about the pain therapy performed by Dr. Cocco at the Binaghi Hospital in Cagliari. Initially, I was quite sceptical about it, and It was just another STD Swab Kit, I thought. Still, I changed my mind immediately after the first session. It involved two infiltrations in both buttocks within the pudendal nerve. From the first cycle of therapy, I noticed incredible improvements. A few months later, I still have to continue to be careful. Always apply creams and oils in the vulvar area and do not make excessive efforts.”

What effects did this treatment have, from a physical but also psychological point of view?

“Unfortunately, I have not yet managed to heal definitively. And I still cannot have sexual intercourse. But I already consider it a big step forward not to feel sick every day. And to leave the house without being conditioned by the anxiety of feeling sick around. And not knowing how to handle the situation. I would have liked to have known about this STD therapy much earlier. I would certainly have saved myself months of pain (and consequently also the worsening of the Myco disease) and unsustainable expenses for medicines and visits. In fact, given that the State does not recognise this pathology, there is no benefit, and the STD Swab Kit and treatments are entirely at the patient’s expense.

Vulvodynia is a ‘luxury disease’ that few can afford to treat, and I don’t find this right at all. Furthermore, Mycoplasma diagnosis times are extremely long due to the lack of knowledge on this topic, not only among young people and adults but often also in the medical field.”