Just needed to share my recent frustrating experience with yet another Dr.  I am 47 and in peri-menopause and am also suffering from severe stomach issues (GERD, gastritis), interstial cystitis and lichen schlerosis.  I recently waited 9 mos. to see a new gynocologist.  I was hoping she could help me with the IC issues (I've had cytoscopies and they are fine, so it is not a problem with my bladder.  I think it is probably a problem wiht some other gyno issue that no-one can figure out, not that they care, because they do not).  This "IC" issue makes sex painful, and not just sex, orgasm.  Orgasm hurts and seems to trigger flare-ups.  So, she looks at my lichen schlerosis (which is a disease of the skin around the vulva that results in scar tissue and thinning - it is not fun) and tells me without any bedside manner whatsoever that it is out of control.  Great.  Then she tells me she can't help me with the gyno, pelvic pain stuff as this is a clinic for derma stuff only.  Great.  She says this like she is very irritated that I am even asking.  We then talk about the fact that I probably need to start putting estrogen cream into my vagina and vaginal atrophy etc etc. (I'd been also having internal vaginal issues).  My problem is not with what she was saying medically, it was her manner.  So abrupt, so dismissive.  Do these dr's not realize that we wait months and months to see them and that we are hoping (even though we know it is probably in vain) that they can help us?  This woman basically told me that my sex life is only going to get worse (it is already pretty problematic) from now on and that she can not (and has no interest in) my pelvic pain.  So demoralizing.  I'm starting to think Dr's have to be psychopaths to do their jobs.  Many of them have no empathy. Sorry for the overshare but this is why this site is anonymous :).