Sore down below - not Thrush or BV

[milliemorris]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help please....a few weeks ago I got a bit sore down below. Upon closer inspection I noticed that it looked different, it wasn’t like cottage cheese but almost as if you wet paper and tore it into tiny shreds, mixed in with the normal mucus/lubricant. After a couple of days it didn’t ease, it just felt uncomfortable down there, not majorily painful but not right, almost like it was dry and a bit swollen. There was no smell and no discharge (the mucus/paper was inside me).

Anyway, I took an oral thrush tablet and went to my GP the next day. They swabbed for thrush and chlamydia. I then got paranoid and used a soft gel Pessary whilst waiting for the results.

A few days later I got the all clear for thrush. I went to see the pharmacist to see what else it might be. She recommended that I use the BV gel for a week, not that it sounded like BV but can help restore the balance down below. I used it and in the meantime got the all clear for Chlamydia. She also told me to try femfresh in the shower which I’ve been using since.

Fast forward a week, my symptoms cleared up. Until a few days ago.

I’m back to being a bit sore down there. There is mucus but not paper like this time. No smell, no abnormal discharge. Just uncomfortable.

I went to a different pharmacist today and explained everything, she recommended covering myself in sudo cream for a few days to see if it helps. Last time I used thrush cream and it hurt so I didn’t want to use that again. I also tried Vagisil and I’m not sure if that could have caused the change?? I brought the Canestest and it said negative for BV so it’s not that. I don’t think it’s thrush but I’m just not sure so I took an oral tablet today.

I’ve sat in Sudocrem all day and have showered and just used warm water and a flannel to wash myself clean. Now I’m not sure if it’s physiological but it feels uncomfortable down there again (sudo cream did seem to ease it).

The only coincidence seems to be if I pleasure myself. The last 2 times this seems to happen around 4-5 days later. I always wash my hands etc before/after so maybe totally unrelated.

Sorry this is so long and thank you if you made it to the end.

I’m at a loss of what I should do. I’ve boiled all my underwear at 90deg today so have probably shrunk it all and air dried after the shower.

Do I keep on using sudo cream / Vagisil / do nothing?

Thank you

[milliemorris]

Apologies I meant to say, I’m 40 but not menopausal, still have regular periods etc.

[OurChristmasMiracle]

I would suggest maybe just not putting anything on it and sleeping without any underwear on. Sometimes fresh air can help.

[milliemorris]

Thank you. I did that last night and wondered if I should do the same tonight. I’ve become obsessed with checking how it looks. I can’t see any redness or swelling but oddly 1 side feels different, I wouldn’t say it’s throbbing but just different.

[Betsy86]

This is so strange op i was on here debating wether to start rhe exact same thread then saw yours.... i took fluczanole it hasn’t helped not sure what to try next 😭😭

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

Try multigyn actigel. Get it from amazon. It helps keep things balanced down there. You can insert a bit inside as well as apply to outside. It stings are first but then is good. Cotton underwear and no underwear to bed.

[Mydogatemypurse]

I would stop with everything. Just take painkillers if need be. Fresh air and wash with simple products.
Ask to have a full sti check as they mostly only test for clamydia and gonorrhea. Do you use condoms? They can make me very uncomfortable I dint know if it's the rubber or the lubricant but I feel dry and yet have discharge when using them.

[milliemorris]

Stupidly I used another tube of BV gel last night but it stung. One side definitely feels different, almost like it s a bit hot. It’s really odd. No condom issues...

[Disneydarlings]

Are you on the contraceptive pill? That can sometimes interfere with the balance of things down there.

[InescapableDeath]

Do you get eczema? Do you spend a lot of time sitting down?

If not thrush then I’d suggest a super thin layer of hydrocortisone and as much fresh air as you can get to it!

[gamerchick]

Go to the GUM clinic. It's their area and you'll get all the tests and advice that you need. They're very good.

I wouldn't be faffing with GPs and chemists when I can get sorted at a clinic.

[CuppaZa]

Second going to GUM clinic and not bothering with chemists and GPs anymore

[milliemorris]

No pill. Tried the gum clinic today, no appointments until the end of the month and all walk ins had gone. Have to try again at 8:30 tomorrow.

Do they tend to swab and give instant results? I’d just like someone that knows what they’re looking for to have a quick look and see if there’s anything going on up/down there.

[gamerchick]

They'll swab and have a look. Most of the time they'll know what they're looking at if there's visible signs of discomfort. They'll also do bloods. They'll take a quick look for stuff like thrush and BV while you wait and will text you when the results are in.

My last one the nurse sat with me with pictures of cervixs to explain why I bled like a bastard during a smear. They're so thorough and reassuring.

[milliemorris]

Oh great thank you. I hope I can get seen. I’m going to get there before it opens and protest if they tell me they’re already full.

[KingaRoo]

Look up vulvodynia and see if any of the symptoms ring a bell.

[Pomegranatemolasses]

I second the Multigyn actigel, or Relactagel. You can buy them over the counter or from Amazon. Worked 100% for me.

[MustStopSnacking28]

Also could be lichen sclerosis. I have this and thought it was thrush. It’s agony but easily controlled, GUM clinic identified mine.

[milliemorris]

Thanks for the replies. Went to the GUM today. It’s not thrush or BV and the nurse said it’s not vulvitus or another one that Ive forgotten the name of. She’s also testing for Gonorrhea and took bloods.

She had a good look and said that nothing looks abnormal, there’s no grazes or scratches. Slight discharge right inside but nothing abnormal.

She said I might be over washing which has made it a bit sore. Told me not to bother with Femfresh and just use unscented shower gel or plain water. Also said no more thrush treatments and to stop wasting my money....

At least it’s put my mind at rest.