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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this is the wrong prescription for my vaginal itching?

49 replies

goingdeepinthesky · 18/08/2019 15:57

Went to GP with vaginal itching that's been going on for a few months. She asked what I use to clean myself there and I said nothing, I just use water when I shower. She looked visibly surprised. Which surprised me as I thought that was what you were meant to do.

Anyway, she gave me a prescription which I didn't have time to take to pharmacist on Friday - but I have just looked at it and it is for a soap substitute. I presume this is in case the soap I am using is causing the irritation. But I don't use soap. So I don't need it. I need something to stop the sodding itching.

Bit peeved off as I have two small kids and its bloody hard to get to GP and I don't want to have to do it a-bloody-gain.

So AIBU? I am missing something - surely this wasn't the right prescription for me?

OP posts:
Original poster
goingdeepinthesky · 18/08/2019 15:57

It's zeroderm ointment btw

OP posts:
JudgeRindersMinder · 18/08/2019 15:58

Have you tried it? In my experience soap substitutes are very moisturising, so this is maybe where the GP has come from?

PullingMySocksUp · 18/08/2019 15:58

Yeah. I don’t see how that’s going to do anything.

Have you tried an over the counter thrush treatment?

Sidge · 18/08/2019 15:58

Is it Dermol?

That is an emollient with anti itching properties, and many cases of vulvovaginitis are caused by dryness, so using an emollient can be helpful.

Sidge · 18/08/2019 16:00

Cross posted - Zeroderm, Epaderm, Epamax and similar are all usually beneficial for washing and will ease dryness and itching.

Northernsoullover · 18/08/2019 16:01

You might be better off going to a sexual health clinic. Its not just for STIs. They are experts in all things downstairs. I had vulval dermatitis and my GP didn't have a clue so referred me.

PullingMySocksUp · 18/08/2019 16:01

Ah, maybe ignore me then.

Scuttlingherbert · 18/08/2019 16:02

I was convinced I had an STI but it turned out to be dry skin/eczema in that area.
I was advised to use epaderm which I think is similar to what you've been prescribed. It can be used as a soap substitute but also can be used as a moisturiser.
It has really helped.

steff13 · 18/08/2019 16:04

I'm sorry, did she examine you, or just ask how you wash?

picklemepopcorn · 18/08/2019 16:10

Are you approaching me opause? That can be itchy, and needs a hormone cream to help.

marriednotdead · 18/08/2019 16:11

My story is a mix of everyone else's here.
Had recurring itching which I thought was/treated as thrush. Multiple STI tests came back as clear so referred to skin clinic.
Diagnosed with vulval eczema a couple of months ago. Given short term steroid cream to calm flare up and told to wash with emulsifying ointment despite only ever washing down there with plain water. No problem since. Getting used to feeling slightly greasy- ointment is like washing with Vaseline! Discovered 50/50 emulsifying ointment has only 2 ingredients (the main components of all the others) and is cheap as chips.

YouLookGood · 18/08/2019 16:12

Why don’t you buy a tube of Canesten? 🤷🏽‍♀️

picklemepopcorn · 18/08/2019 16:16

Because she may not have thrush?! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Original poster
goingdeepinthesky · 18/08/2019 16:29

Aaargh Pickle - don't say the M word! She did suggest that may be a cuase, but I really hope not - I really like my sex drive and having sex and I have a new guy I am having enjoyable and enthusiastic sex with. I don't want that to end! I was hoping for a good few years yet before the M (just started on a diet to try and delay the menopause - but admittedly may have started it a bit late..).

Anyway, thanks for the replies - seems I could have been wrong to diss the prescription. I'll give it a go.

OP posts:
Original poster
goingdeepinthesky · 18/08/2019 16:31

steff she did examine and said I looked sore - I said that was because I had scratched it when it became really itchy a few days ago.

OP posts:
MrsSchadenfreude · 18/08/2019 16:36

Hitting the menopause doesn’t mean going to bed with a pair of knickers on your head to keep the rollers in place and say “no need for any more of that nonsense now, thank you very much.” It certainly hasn’t affected my sex drive.

ShagMeRiggins · 18/08/2019 16:38

Has the baginal itching of ‘a few months’ coincided with timing of sex with the new guy?

Original poster
goingdeepinthesky · 18/08/2019 16:42

That's a relief @MrsSchadenfreude, I keep hearing tales of women saying their libido died at menopause. It's really freaked me out. Tbh after a shit marriage with a shit sex life, I'm really enjoying rediscovering my sexual self. The though of menopause affecting that side of me has been really getting me down. Especially as I have only just realised how early the menopause can be - I thought it was mid 50's not as early as mid 40's! I thought I had a decade to go!

OP posts:
Original poster
goingdeepinthesky · 18/08/2019 16:43

No ShagMe - it did precede him but does get worse after I have had sex with him for a few days. He claimed to have been to an STD clinic and got the all clear before we had sex.

OP posts:
Original poster
goingdeepinthesky · 18/08/2019 16:44

That should have read it gets worse for a few days after we have had sex. We don't have non-stop sex for a few days....

OP posts:
picklemepopcorn · 18/08/2019 16:45

Honestly, if you're getting good sex, then you'll want to keep it up! I think the impact on libido just accentuates the feeling of 'can't be bothered' about boring sex.

It's worth knowing, so you can get straight in there with whatever helps. Do t stick your head in the sand!

PuppyMonkey · 18/08/2019 16:46

When I had this a few years back, turned out the cause was a bad reaction to Aloe Vera toilet paper - just a thought.

My GP advised no soap at all, 100 percent cotton knickers and (which surprised me) put hydrocortisone on to stop the itching. It did the trick.

Blahblahblahnanana · 18/08/2019 16:47

I think you need to go for an STI check. They can check for thrush too.

CalmFizz · 18/08/2019 16:47

He claimed? When was the last time you had a Sti check?

PinkyPrincessy · 18/08/2019 16:48

Have you had your blood sugars checked? Could be diabetes.