Ulcers on lady bits

[Maddie2019]

Hi all, sorry if this is TMI but I’m worried sick and can’t find anything relevant online so hoping one of you may of experienced this or has some advice.

I’ve had sore lady bits for a week or so, when I looked I could see ulcers!! I went straight to the out of hours GP and she said it wasn’t STI related, or anything like she had quite seen. She said they were literally the same ulcers you get in your mouth but on your gentials instead.

I need to arrange an appointment on Monday with the hospital, but I know how bad waiting times are and I’m so anxious I needed some thoughts beforehand.

Sorry for how gross this is, I’m hoping someone can help!

I’d say it sounds like Herpes too, but you need a GUM clinic to get them swabbed not a GP.

Up to 80% of the population carry the herpes virus orally and genitally but just don’t know until your immune system kicks in and the virus takes its chance to appear (which is why when people are disgusted by herpes they are idiots as they have it!).

If you’ve changed medication it could be that as the trigger.

But it’s MN so we just don’t know! Get yourself on google and to a drop in clinic.

Appointments are scarce but they generally have walk on and wait clinics.

Thanks for your reply.
I have emailed my consultant and IBD nurses so hopefully they can help on Monday.

Out of interested what treatment were you given for them? It really is a double edged sword because I’m worried about them getting worse because of the immune suppressants, but can’t stop taking them because of the UC.

Sorry TMI.

If you are in an ulcerative colitis flare that could explain the sores, especially since the GP said it was not STI.

I have colitis and running to the bathroom multiple times a day with loose stool/blood can be very irritating to the skin in the area.

I have had the skin get very irritated and sore. It has been bad enough to bleed and sting constantly.

I don't want to scare you but It could also be possible you have Crohn's instead of ulcerative colitis. They can be hard to tell apart. Crohn's causes ulcers in the mouth, for example, as it can affect the entire digestive tract.

Do you have a GI doctor or nurse you can call/see?

I am sorry you are struggling with a flare up and now this. I know how demoralizing and downright painful a flare can be. Keep at the medical people. They try to help but sometimes I think IBD is just so difficult to treat that we end up being sent away without definitive answers.

My life has vastly improved because I have a GI doc who is an expert in IBD and frankly just "gets it."

I’m so sorry you feel so worried. It seems most likely this is almost certainly linked to your UC - and perhaps immuno changes as a result of new meds. You need to get this confirmed as you don’t need this right now, clearly.

Maddie, from all of your posts I would place good money on Bechets

Maddie, I have heard of this in cases of an STI (which you don't have) and Behcet's. I'm sure there are other causes. Try not to worry too much, you can just walk into a GUM clinic, don't need an appointment, There may be a very simple explanation and they will tell you what it is and what to do.

Thanks for your reply.

This is a terrible disease we have and I honestly don’t think I can cope with it anymore.

I have emailed my IBD nurses and consultant but I don’t think they will be in until Monday.

I need some relief for the time being! The out of ours GP prescribed Diflam which is used for mouth ulcers but it’s doing nothing.

I think this flare is now taking its toll on me 😟😩

I just let them run their course. Painful until they popped.

Google (or don't!) Hydridenitis suppuritiva..first bit is spelled right, unsure on second

Could it be Hidradenitis suppurativa?

X post!!

Take some pain relief and a cool bath. It will be ok. It is treatable. You can do this.

If you are eligible, talk to your IBD care providers about biologics. I am in remission because of Entyvio. It is like a miracle. Also less impact on my immune system as a whole. Before Entyvio I had to take prednisone a lot and I spent way too much time sick with colds/flu etc. Last winter, not once.

MT2017 your spelling looks better than mine!

No hair follicles in there hopefully,

Poor you OP. That sounds really sore. Hope you get it sorted out and get some relief quickly.

Can I ask if you use scented sanitary protection? I scratched myself red raw and ended up with sores when they made my usual brand "improved" and added scent to it. I tried umpteen different brands before finding Bodyform was unscented and didn't break out my skin.

I also find I have to be really careful which toilet roll brand I use too as so many irritate my skin.

I had an aunt with Bechets and ulcers on her vulva area were all too common and very distressing for her. Cutting out as much sugar as possible seemed to help her.

Try to get a referral to a Bechets specialist. Royal London or St Thomas' hospital might be good.

www.behcets.nhs.uk/our-centers/london/

Can you use some sort of barrier cream such as Sudocreme? That would prevent stinging etc. when urine or stool touches.

Good luck OP. Yes, it is a terrible terrible disease. I have spent many hours sitting on the loo in pain and crying.

You can do this. It will get better. Try to rest.

for your Maddie. If you tell the staff that you have symptoms, that will help make sure you get seen asap, and by the right person.

Oh you poor thing OP.

My best mate had Bechets.
She had days off sometimes because the ulcers would be so sore and painful.

Nothing to do with an STI.

She had to self inject (no deal what medication it was) which helped keep the ulcer flare ups at bay.
I hope they give you a diagnosis quickly.

I do second a PP opinion on not asking Mumsnet or Google for advice on symptoms. You'll get the worst case scenario every time 🙈😂

I actually think your immune system is kicking off. I doubt its an STD but no harm in checking. I have fibro and colitis orrible steroids and loads of troubles including soreness and occasional weird spots or sore raw bits on my lady bits. The latest was fungal infection of the behind ( oh god sorry, the embarrassment!). Look colitis is a disease of ulcers, and I think your poor body is stressed. Don't worry. But get sorted out all the same ok? big hugs

I had this once, it was alongside a nasty case of reactive arthritis following a virus. It was agony so you have my sympathy (peeing in the shower helped). It may be that it's just due to your immune system is out of whack right now and will settle once you get your UC flair and medication a bit more stable. It might not be a new condition.

I used to get sore inner labia. Once I got an ulcer, I think from rubbing the sore itchy bits. I was checked out for STIs, and it definitely wasn’t anything like that, or even thrush - the GP was a bit lost, but suggested using aqueous cream to wash with instead of soap or shower gel. She said she thought it was just dermatitis - and if I religiously use the aqueous cream for my bits, it does get better and stays away. If I lapse and use soap or shower gel (say if I’m travelling for work or staying with family) it can get sore and reddened again.