Skin/tissue inside vagina turned pale/white - help please!

[MoisturiseYourMoose]

I’m currently trapped in a never-ending series of health problems south of my waist. This one is about my vagina. If anyone has any experience of the same thing, please let me know!

Went to see my urogyno for a bladder instillation yesterday and mentioned that since a cystoscopy in November and subsequent antibiotics for UTIs I’ve had a yeast infection that just doesn’t seem to fully resolve.

I’ve also started tearing during sex and becoming generally sore from sex. I’ve done various Canestan pessary courses, fluconazole, MultiGyn Flora, used Yes VM a couple of times as things felt ‘rough’ inside, I’ve used Actigel in between as once I had a fishy smell immediately after sex (went straight away with the gel).

GP swab was apparently negative for Yeast (not possible) and the GUM clinic one the next day was positive (and they said they could see candida under the microscope). BV tests negative.

Anyway, back to my appointment. He put me on a 7 day course of fluconazole but when he examined me, he said the tissue(?) inside looked white and shrivelled like fingers in a bath. I mentioned the tearing and said the Canestan HC had helped that a bit. He told me to use that but no other creams and he’d have a look next week when I go for my next instillation.

He said it was almost ‘eczema-ish’. I didn’t think much of it but now I’m confused as to how the external HC cream can help the weirdness inside!

I came home and got out a mirror and torch and am honestly freaking out. The smooth pink skin that I can see has turned white and spongy, there are ‘raw’ patches just inside but also there are ragged scraps of skin where there definitely didn’t used to be. (I’m also a bit freaked out that the tearing at the back has healed open inside of together.)

Every Google search is coming up with vulva changes like LS and dermatitis but this is fully inside as well. It doesn’t seem like LS.

Does this resonate with anyone?

There’s a probiotic that kills fungal infection called lactobacillus rhamanous that dampens the growth of candida.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35680868/. I know it helps me when I’ve thrush. Maybe discuss it with a doctor ?

Just bought some! I’m on day 2. Hopefully that will help with the thrush if nothing else!

Can I ask where you've bought that from, please?

Lichen sclerosis x

I bought the Ora Lady Bugs one but it’s also in Optibac womens. I wanted to try the Crispatus after reading something, which is in the Ora one. I think I’ve bought it as a singular strain years ago.

Seems to be so many women with this now. When I was diagnosed some years ago, it felt as if I was the only one. I was lucky in that I was eventually referred to a specialist but it took many visits and several doctors before that happened!

My main tell tale symptom of LS was tearing. I was told that thrush creams and pessaries for dryness were horrendous for it. Betnovate ointment has really helped control it.

This. I have LS. The skin tears at the slightest movement sometimes. Feels like I'm peeing razor blades if I have a flare up . Sex is absolutely unthinkable when there are tears in the skin.

I'd say treat s vaginal atrophy and do a loading dose of topical oestrogen then go onto maintenance, see how things are in 3 months.
40 is definitely not too young for VA and you can save yourself a heap of woes by treating it now.

Estrogen gel on prescription.
Yes l have it inside too.
I have a prolapse bladder too.. bulging into vagina ( waiting for operation).

Almost 2 years of hell. Soreness, burning. Unable to get gp appointment, waiting weeks for phone appointment with nurse practitioner. Diagnosed LS. Not everyone has pain, just white skin. Was told only to use steroid cream a week as it's strong and thins tissue. I couldn't walk,wear clothes, crying with the pain. Perineum ulcerated. Saw private dermatologist. Diagnosed vulval/perianal eczema. Heavy duty steroid for several weeks daily,then twice a week, slightly lower dose, permanently. Also have bladder prolapse and now vagifem vaginal tablets and estrogen cream externally.

VA can be caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding too. Anything that can lower Oestrogen. PCOS. Etc etc.

I have Lichen Sclerosis. Mine seems to be all external but I do think.it can affect you internally. It might be the beginning of vaginal atrophy.

Another who thinks Lichen sclerosis unfortunately.

My labia and perineum present as a mottled white, and splits incredibly easily. I was treated with dermovate for a short term period and ovestrin to help with dryness longer term.

Good luck on getting a diagnosis

Could be a combination of things but it won’t be helped by lack of oestrogen, which, if you’re 40 you’re probably suffering from as peri starts around then. Get some Ovestin and use it internally and externally. I was first prescribed it because I had a smear and the nurse commented on the whiteness and thin texture of my vaginal walls. It’s made a huge difference for me. I have long term bladder issues (interstitial cystitis since I was 14, now 43) and the Ovestin really helps with reducing the regularity of flares with that too.

https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/vaginal-estrogens-what-is-ovestin-and-how-do-i-use-it/

I rarely see this mentioned online and, when vaginal/ vulval anomalies are posted about, I don't suggest the possibility. Now I'm thinking I should, to raise awareness like you have. My GP, Practice Nurse and Sexual Health Nurse didn't recognise it and, baffled, referred me for colonoscopy. Thank goodness! It seems very few people are aware of it.

OP, mention VIN to your GP.

Thanks for all the new replies!

I have a tube of ovestin here and would be trying it if I was worried about making the thrush worse (I’m guessing even if I have LS, I also have that at the moment too).

The internet is telling me it can cause thrush, which obviously I can’t risk when I think I have it - is that anyone else’s experience?

I actually bought some because I have IC! But I haven’t tried it because of what I just typed above.

So which one did you have? Both?

So are you saying vaginal moisturisers are terrible for it or thrush pessaries? Both of which I’ve used lately 😫

My GP isn’t involved. Thank god, to be honest.

Did you have VIN? Was it treated?

Thank you all for replying, by the way. You’ve made my night.

I’ve been in a very dark place all day (this is the latest in a years long series of stresses and I just want to be carefree and enjoying my man - who has had to deal with me having one cock-blocking ailment after another since we got together). 😘

The specialist you're seeing on Monday might be the solution. When I had a different but confusing medical issue, it was eventually getting in front of the right specialist that set me on the right path. If the person you see on Monday doesn't know, research/see another specialist who will. It's amazing how many GPs and specialists can look flummoxed and unsure until you hit on someone really experienced and they nail the issue straight away.

Do you have psoriasis and/or have you considered this could be genital psoriasis?

It could be LS but could also be VIN

I had a large patch of vin removed and it looked exactly as you described, White and spongey.

Please insist on a colposcopy and have a biopsy to know exactly what it is.