Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for help with my fiery vulva?

105 replies

Ouchouchowwwww · 06/01/2023 22:44

As the title says. Sorry but I’m desperate!

have been having a burning stinging inner labia/urethra for months. Pain worse when I need a wee but no pain upon actually weeing. No smell, no discharge, no itch,nothing external i can see. Seems to be especially triggered by sex. Pain concentrated to right side of vulva?!

i am 39. Three kids. Oldest 3. not breastfeeding or on any hormonal contraceptives. don’t use condoms. DH lucky if he gets near me thanks to the fires of hell in my knickers.

i’ve had swabs for thrush - came back showing minor growth only and have done round after round of pessary/canestan ointment/oral tablet. Also treated DH who has no symptoms. I’m on heavy duty probiotics. Tried BV treatment (negative swab) but didn’t help. Two rounds of ABx in case UTI (samples clear) but didn’t really help and doesn’t feel like a UTI really. GP stumped, he’s doing gynae referral but wait times of forever.

comes and goes - worse before my period then relieved when it arrives, then gradually returns.

it’s so sore and irritating.

asked GP if it could be early vag atrophy and she didn’t think so but can persist with this if others think it could be.

no scented sanpro or washing powder, live in joggers, cotton knickers etc. Only ever use unperfumed soap, no bubble bath or soap in vag.

Have found loads of threads on this but none ever have a resolution!

help me. I’m like that sex on fire song but in a massively unsexy way.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 02/03/2023 17:42

@Nannyfannybanny that sounds awful, poor you!

OP posts:
Nannyfannybanny · 02/03/2023 17:30

I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosis last year,it wasn't itchy,it was raw, when I went to the toilet it was agony. Saw a gynae consultant last November, wasn't improving,saw a private dermatologist, she said it's eczema. It doesn't itch. I've been wearing white cotton pants, swapped PJ's for night shirts. The dermal wash burnt. Now using Dermovate steroid cream, washing with epaderm cream (you can buy it off script) using epaderm ointment for moisturizer 6 times a day, twice a week Vagifem and external estrogen cream. One day it's ok next can hardly walk!

Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 02/03/2023 17:18

Certainly not precious about worms to those who have suggested it having had two older DC go through primary school already!! But would that be so on-off??

i am going to try the GUM clinic again. They said on phone they didn’t deal with anything dermological but maybe will just go to their walk in and demand help

OP posts:
Untitledsquatboulder · 02/03/2023 17:15

In my case it was worms Blush

Bideshi · 02/03/2023 17:04

The only reliable way to diagnose LS is biopsy so don't rule it out now or later.

MiniDinosaur · 02/03/2023 16:49

drspouse · 06/01/2023 23:04

I started with vaginal atrophy in my mid to late 40s. Waited ages with people saying it was the wrong sort of tampons etc and only saw the GP about 4 or 5 years later and she gave me pessaries which did help.

This happened to me too, ask your GP if you can try Vagifem. It cured all my symptoms within a week, including needing to pee every ten minutes.
I can now wash, use tampons and have sex again.

DesertRose64 · 02/03/2023 16:46

just feel a bit stuck at the moment like I’m going around and around and not getting anywhere. GP has dismissed LS, nothing external to see but maybe will try again with that or with oestrogen cream

Did they look inside also?

tolerable · 02/03/2023 16:25

i dont know i evver updated. lanacane and anti hystamine was helpful.i took ovex twice over a fortnight and.truble free.UNless i use different toilet papaer.i appear to have allergy to most of them.now

Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 02/03/2023 16:23

Thanks all. Gets me down so much! Really appreciate the suggestions.

feels very bladdery now but no pain on actually weeing or urgency so doesn’t feel like a UTI.

just feel a bit stuck at the moment like I’m going around and around and not getting anywhere. GP has dismissed LS, nothing external to see but maybe will try again with that or with oestrogen cream.

i might try a private gynaecology but probably couldn’t afford ongoing treatment with her.

@Eastereggglutton thats a new one but sounds interesting. Do you just get the burning no discharge/smell?

OP posts:
Bideshi · 02/03/2023 16:06

Ouchouchowwwww · 02/03/2023 12:46

Thanks @crazeecatladee. I understood LS manifests itself through itching and damaged skin externally? I don’t have an itch st all, it’s just this burning! Can LS flare up and down according to mentrual cycle too? Due my period soon and I’m sure it triggers it

I have LS but have never had any itching. Not everyone does.

DesertRose64 · 02/03/2023 15:57

Ouchouchowwwww · 02/03/2023 12:46

Thanks @crazeecatladee. I understood LS manifests itself through itching and damaged skin externally? I don’t have an itch st all, it’s just this burning! Can LS flare up and down according to mentrual cycle too? Due my period soon and I’m sure it triggers it

I also have LS.

Could you take a picture of your nether regions from the clitoris down to your back passage and see if there is any pale patches of skin or anything resembling a figure 8 patch of discoloration.

Eastereggglutton · 02/03/2023 15:25

It sounds like it could be aerobic vaginitis to me, mine improves when I have my period. You could check your vaginal pH level, it something you can do yourself but a high pH can be indicative of aerobic vaginitis. In my experience the GUM clinic are the best people to see for a diagnosis

crazeecatladee · 02/03/2023 13:12

Yes, it can fluctuate according to your hormone levels at any given time. I was only giving you possibilites to explore. All I was saying really was to persist with getting a proper diagnosis from a knowledgable professional. I was fobbed off for years and went for all kinds of tests, all of which were negative and it was a chance remark by my GP (who I was seeing about something else ) that led to the diagnosis. If it is LS there are no cures, only treatments, but they can be very effective, so don't be too disheartened.

lborgia · 02/03/2023 13:01

The fact that it stops when you're period starts means it pretty much would be hormone related - which is the reason behind atrophy.

It's awful. If your GP is your only option, ask if you can trial some Ovestin cream, just dabbed on very thinly, for a few days. A very easy way to see if this is the correct path, and either continue with the cream, or start a more aggressive programme including pessaries.

Given that perimenopause starts up to 10 years before meno, and some women have finished meno in their 40s, no one should dismiss it starting "early".

My whole life I'd been entitling average, but even so, was done and out the otherside by 46. I realised I'd been peri from about 35!

Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 02/03/2023 12:46

Thanks @crazeecatladee. I understood LS manifests itself through itching and damaged skin externally? I don’t have an itch st all, it’s just this burning! Can LS flare up and down according to mentrual cycle too? Due my period soon and I’m sure it triggers it

OP posts:
crazeecatladee · 02/03/2023 12:02

Recognise the symptoms and I would go for Lichen Sclerosis. It's an auto immune condition that comes and goes as it chooses, then stays and manifests itself in all kinds of ways, responding to all kinds of treatments. The first thing is to get a definite diagnosis by consulting a knowledgeable dermatologist and having a biopsy, then finding treatments that work for you. One of my go-tos is piles cream with lidocaine which numbs the pain for a while. Good luck, and persist for a diagnosis. GPs know diddly squat usually!

Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 02/03/2023 11:52

Sorry have missed last few posts. Things started to improve (not sure why but was very pleased !) but now seems to be back again. Gaaaaah

OP posts:
Flowersinspringgrowwild · 23/02/2023 23:15

Op any update?

tolerable · 13/01/2023 16:58

update re \worms treatment. Chemist-ovex-took on monday.to take 2nd dose monday coming.Realise this is not diagnosstic\nor guaranteed issue.however. been free of issue since.so far anyway.

Jarstastic · 13/01/2023 11:42

Try dermol 500 or hydromol instead of the unscented soap.

also see if you can get hydrocortisone ointment, it’s important that it’s the ointment not lotion as that can have irritants in it. It’s used by US gynaecologists but not here for some reason. You may need to buy it online if your local chemists don’t have it. Don’t tell the chemists it’s for your bits.

Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 13/01/2023 07:25

Sorry you’re suffering too @overthinkersanonnymus please do update.

in currently on my period which has bought some relief!! Not a sentence I usually say about my period.

thanks all for suggestions and tips so far xx

OP posts:
overthinkersanonnymus · 10/01/2023 12:21

@Ouchouchowwwww I could have written this ! I'm 35, no children but did have pre cancerous cells removed from my vulva about 6 years ago. I've just finished my period and the ache/irritation/itch is returning after 5 days of nothing. I'm hoping it's a hormonal thing and nothing sinister

My gynecologist diagnosed vulvodynia which is a made up word for we don't know what's wrong with you.

I'm going again in 3 weeks and will try and get more answers and hopefully get some help so I'll let you know if I get any tips x

Whatineed · 07/01/2023 12:32

Have you had a blood sugar test OP? When my blood sugar is high I have similar symptoms, it was a sign of bring prediabetic.

Oopsiedaisyy · 07/01/2023 11:03

Ive had this, only thing that works is taking additional estogen, although I'm 48 so likely its due to perimenopause

My symptoms were identical though. I also take D mannose just incase it could be bacteria related

tolerable · 07/01/2023 10:55

rings bells smited with this too
initial blamed aloe tp.then bamboo allegery... whilst the initial urge to itch was a real bad mistake...more sort of overubbed skin off than scratched-resulted in (ridiculously painful graze-tears in the chemist while i demanded saved from this curse(dunno what anti hystamine was issued-but i slept nearly 48hrs and woke..healed. TEMPORARILY...its not constant-or maybe it is-i only make a (very private)fuss bout it-regularly.
read this-read the other ones.
Decided(co havent tried that\didnt know bout threadegg worms.(yuk)im go chemist request treaatment...
cant believe i actual almost hope its a one dose wonder cure(pllllllleeeeeeeeeease)

Swipe left for the next trending thread