Embarrassing vagina question.

This could be lichen sclerosis, you need to see gp

I'd try Canesten first too, and if that doesn't work see a doctor or nurse.
OP, you can buy it off the shelf now in my local shops.

It could be a number of things and needs looking at, ask for a female gp or there's many walk in gum clinics. I did a 4m job as a gp during early training, probably saw about 5 vaginas every day as we get allocated all the women's health in general, honestly nothing we haven't seen before, but you'll need swabs

Ask for a female gp or female nurse. They would have seen all sorts in their time so no need to be embarrassed, just make sure you’re washed on the day of your appointment. Also - are you attending regular smear tests? I’d be more worried about missing those if I were you.

Our GP surgery didn't have a female GP for ages so when I had a gynae issue I saw a nurse practitioner (female) does your surgery have one?

Hi OP, I'm around the same weight, I get thrush alot and this is what it sounds like you have. I carry my weight on my stomach and I'm quite tall.
It's embarrassing going to the doctor's but you must go, if not go to the sexual health clinic, they are lovely. OR get some canesten ( boots own brand is 5.99 I got some yesterday)
I'm trying to lose weight and have lost 10kg already.
I know I must get the weight down myself but I've always suffered from thrush even from a teen at a much much smaller size.
X

In your position I'd go to a GUM clinic. As others have said, there are loads of things it could be.

now you're back in the room, looking after yourself are you showering daily? You need to be & getting right into the skin folds, because they get hot, sweaty & that causes skin problems.

to help with the itching use water wipes (use this brand not other wipes) clean your vulva & inside the lips down towards your vagina, then laying down put a fresh one lengthways between your lips and distract yourself and it'll soothe the itching.

I'm T2 diabetic & occasional get this if my sugars are too high, it's part of what keeps me on a very low carb diet so I don't get it.

get tested for T2 as well.

Please go to a sexual health clinic, we can help! We don’t just treat STIs, we also deal with all kinds of genital dermatology. If you’ve got dark patches and sores, you need to have them looked at. Online STI testing is for people who don’t have any symptoms.

sounds like thrush, I would suggest going to a sexual health clinic as if you have been neglecting yourself you could have a sort of mot make sure all is ok, might help you feel better good luck with your journey

Get a new doctor. I was embarrassed about down there and got sorted and I honestly honestly feel it changed so much. It’s amazing not being sore, dry and itchy down there. I’d also advise to drink more water if you don’t and eat some oily foods. Best of luck op x

As others have said, it could be a fungal infection. Ensure you dry yourself thoroughly after you bathe/shower. I also agree with finding a sexual health clinic if you don't want to see your GP.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/find-a-sexual-health-clinic/

If your doctor is awful, can you go to a sexual health clinic? You have 2 red sores in your vagina needing to be looked at by a professional, specially when this has been a persistent problem for the last couple of years.

You need a doctor.

When I was around 18stone, and a smoker I use to get lumps and swelling on my pubic mound and sometimes inside my groin. I would itch them till they were sore and bleeding. When I saw the doctor he said they were cysts caused by too much sugar, and additives in the cigarettes. I stopped smoking and they did go.

I used hot compresses on them to draw a head and I could pop them. They were very painful and hurt even to have my knickers touch them. If you don't see a doctor you can get self test kits for thrush, bacterial vagisimus or whatever it's called and different STI tests online, but there really is no stigma.

It's probably thrush, you can treat it yourself, if that doesn't work, ask gp.

Go to the gp, you can request to see a female doctor but you need to have it seen and the sooner the better

Sorry meant to say could be issue like thrush or Lichen sclerosus

Itchiness can also be caused by changes in hormone levels. Could be a peri/ menopause symptom.

Could be another issue like thrush or

Think u need to accept you have to see a medical professional for this.
You can ask for a female GP/ go to a GUM clinic or if affordable pay to see a consultant.

Don’t ignore this, could be a very simple issue and solution but you need to be checked.

Get some Canesten first off and see if that helps,it sounds like thrush. If it's still bad after a week you need to get medical advice,see another GP if yours isn't nice.

I doubt it’s your vagina? It will make it easier to explain to us and a medical professional if you sue the right words. Vagina is the bit inside, where a tampon goes. I’d be surprised if you can see sores right in there.
Do you mean inside your labia (flaps). Or where hair grows? Not meaning to be snarky :-)

Try thrush treatment as a first off.

I had an itch for years and finally went to sti clinic this year. They were so lovely, no infections but they felt I had lichen sclerosis so sent me to GP who referred me to dermatology and now I have a wonderful cream to use!

Don't leave it, my itch was absolutely awful and I am mad I left it so long.

Have you treated for thrush?

Hospital gu clinic, a female nurse can have a look

please don’t be embarrassed OP - this is nothing that hasn’t happened to many people before, and you deserve care and treatment. If your GP is awful then ask to see another provider. Or, as PPs have suggested, you could visit a GUM clinic.

As you haven’t had sex for a few years I think it’s less likely to be an STI than some other cause. It could be recurrent thrush, or a fungal infection, or irritation caused by sweat. Either way you should seek a diagnosis because the treatment for some skin conditions can exacerbate others, and you don’t want to make it worse.

You deserve to be healthy and comfortable. This is a solvable problem and there are people whose job is to help you. Give yourself the gift of getting this resolved ❤️

I'd get it checked out but my immediate thought was thrush.

If you don't like your GP, you can change him. I put up with a vile misogynist GP for years; it never occurred to me that I could switch to a different surgery. Also just because he's your named GP you don't have to see him. Definitely ask for a female GP. I have done this a few times and the surgery always respects this.
Or, as others have said, go to the GUM clinic. Every time I have had to go there, the staff have been excellent. (Then change GP separately 🙂)

Sorry you're going through this, it sounds really horrible 😔 xx