What the hell is going on with my labia? (SORE!)

[spartansisters]

About last november I started to get a sore labia. I think inner labia, at the entrance to my vagina.
I first had this after the last time I had sex with the guy I was seeing. I just thought we had had sex too often that day. But it lasted for about two weeks. I had a one night stand in Decemberand it hurt again for ages. About three weeks ago I used a (small) internal vibrator and it hurt again and it still hurts now, even more than initially ( I have my period now). It has often felt a bit sore tbh.
In January I had a check up at a sexual health clinic, and they said it looks a bit dry but other than that could find nothing wrong.

I am chatting on dating sites and hoping to find someone to meet after the lockdown. So I want to get this sorted. Has anyone else had this? Possible explanations I can think of:

• Nasty cheap bog roll - stop using
• menopause - I am 47 but have absolutely no other symptons of Menopause
• minor thrush infection?

Any other ideas? I am a bit desperate!

Any chance you've become allergic to your washing powder? It can cause problems in all parts of your body.

Vaginal atrophy?

Can you spiral to a pharmacist, although I get sore from latex condoms and have to use the non latex ones. Could it be a reaction to condoms (assuming you are using them with casual partners).

Thanks everyone. What the hell is vaginal atrophy?!

Could try changing washing powder too.

@Smilethoyourheartisbreaking does that moisturiser mean you can have sex without pain? Ageing effing sucks! It is having so many effects I literally never knew happened till one was in one's effing 60's!

I never used a condom with the guy I was in a relationship with. nor when using a vibrator, so I don't think it can be that.

It could be several things. Does it sting when you wee? Any blood on toilet paper after sex? Any lump you can feel?

• dryness leading to a small crack. Similar to when you get a crack at the side of your mouth, and gets aggravated by sex

• Do you shave/wax there? Might be a recurrent, ingrown hair.

• batholins cyst is near the vaginal opening. It can flare and die down, then flare again. You'd often feel a lump though.

• Have you have any hormone checks to see if you are peri-menopausal?

I'd see your GP again and have it checked.

Thanks @Elouera

No stinging or blood, no lump I have noticed - maybe should check properly though.

I never shave or wax my pubic area.

I did ask at the sexual health clinic, but the nurse just smiled and shrugged . I am bloody resistant to menopause - I literally only realised about a year ago that the menopause happens before your mid-50's. I was appalled to realise it could be any time now! If I did get diagnosed as peri-menopausal - what can they do? What does HRT do? Does that get rid of all the symptons? I want a normal sex life! I'm not ready to give that up!

@Smilethoyourheartisbreaking Right that's it; I will take your recommendation! Off to buy some now! Thanks so much!

Possibly hormonal changes. Can also be stress related. Are you sure it isn't thrush?

Vitamin deficiencies also possible.

Perfect age to start hrt

You could try an oestrogen gel if you prefer, just applied to vagina, if you don't want to use hrt patches - see if that helps?

Welcome to the menopause.

Is it a Bartholin's cyst?
www.nhs.uk/conditions/bartholins-cyst/

@WhenItIsOver It could be thrush - might get a canestan pessary.
Which vitamins could I be deficient in that would cause this?

@Ilets are you able to say more about starting HRT - I really do know nothing about it? Do you get more benefits if you start earlier?

@icansmellburningleaves aaargh! No! No! I'm too young! I'm not ready! No!

Ask your GP for a trial of Ovestin. It's good shit. Yet it's got so little oestrogen in it it's hardly even really HRT. Good luck.

I found a good site for vitamin deficencies, will see if I can find it, it was very comprehensive, could have been B vits, but equally could have been D or magnesium of which there are different types and some better than others. One other that I was looking at, as I recall was Vit C. I was reading about a lot at the time. If you want to start searching while I try to find it those would be a good place to start.

This is the magnesium info, which are the best for which situations:

thefamilythathealstogether.com/types-of-magnesium-the-best-and-worst/

HRT was not any help for me BTW.

Is the skin shiny? Could it be Lichen Sclerosis or similar? Sometimes the skin can look like you have it but in actual fact it is just the skin changing with age.

Please bear with me, sorry about all the individual posts, am posting as I find things I have researched before, for myself.

This site gives information on skin problems, not just podiatry related, skin changes at peri menopause, and continues to thin thereafter, sorry.

www.podiatrytoday.com/when-vitamin-and-nutritional-deficiencies-cause-skin-and-nail-changes

I gave up using daily panty liners and covered the whole area with sudocream for a week or so and things have improved dramatically.

Thanks @WhenItIsOver for sharing your research with me! That is really kind of you. I appreciate it!

And thanks everyone! Lots to explore!

[quote Smilethoyourheartisbreaking]It's probably your age I'm afraid. I have started using Yes moisturiser...commonly called Vag plumper by me. Really has made a huge difference.

www.yesyesyes.org/products/yes-vm-natural-vaginal-moisturiser[/quote]
Thanks for your recommendation Smile, my perimenopausal fanjo has been a lot more comfortable recently.

Thank you from me too- it has made a huge difference. I really recommend it.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/lichen-sclerosus/