to ask what you think could be wrong with me?? (TMI alert)

[autumnalramblings]

I'm late 30's and for the past 2 years I've been suffering with pain, soreness and itching in my vagina.

sometimes its more sore than itchy and sometimes it's just itchy.

It ALWAYS subsides/disappears during the heaviest part of my period. as soon as the light flow/spotting days are here the soreness returns.

I've seen 7 gynaecologists and a pelvic pain specialist aswell as several trips to the GUM clinic.

so far I've been tested for thrush, BV, strep, all STD's etc and also paid for a private STD test as they apparently test for things the nhs don't routinely test for but everything was negative.

I've been in the same relationship for 7 years and partner has also been tested for all stds.

even though it always comes back negative for thrush and bv I've been treated for both just incase about 6 times!

i was given estrogen cream as everything including labia was so red and sore but that did nothing, i used it for 6 months.

used a vaginal moisturiser for several months and no difference

i was prescribed steroid creams but didn't do anything, it's not dermatitis or lichen sclerosis.

I've tried changing my washing powder to a really gentle non bio and wash underwear and towels on a hot wash

i don't use shower gel or soap down there. don't douche, don't use tampons, i use re usable sanitary pads, natural non bleached non scented toilet paper. don't take baths, don't get sweaty and if i do i change asap but that doesn't present an issue this time of year.

I've tried anti histamines.

i have taken pre/pro biotics including ones specifically targeted for the vagina

I've used litmus paper to check the acidity inside and outside and it's always in normal range

I've had internal scans, ultrasounds, MRI and all normal

the itching is usually worse just after a shower or just after having a wee so in both cases after it's wet.

soreness is always there but it did disappear for a few months but now it's back and kicked off after sex and has been sore/burning ever since.

I've also had my hormone levels checked and I'm not pre-menopausal. I'm not on any contraception and don't use condoms.

apparently it's not vulvodynia either.

does anyone have any other ideas what it could be?

Zombie

Fungal infection? They can be very persistent. Someone I know had one and finally got rid of it by using the anti-fungal cream and washing everything at 60 for several weeks.

trichomonas vaginalis, do you know if that was one of the things you were checked for. Symptom all match. Its something that men very rarely have any symptoms of and their bits all continue to look normal too. I dont know if its routinely tested for in the UK.

@autumnalramblings did you ever get this resolved! I am going through this now. Has got progressively worse over a year and it’s now 24/7 except when I am on my period. Just been referred to a gynae

Have you been screened for trichomoniasis? I know it sometimes gets missed cos they are so hard to see under the microscope.

Omg zombie sorry

Are you allergic to latex condoms? I am, they make me really itchy and irritated...

People are obsessed with itchy vaginas at the moment.
Resurrecting threads now on them.

I have lichen sclerosis. Although you don't have this you may find washing with Dermal 500 useful.
I was really allergic to a sexual partners sperm, I always got a uti following sex. Anything is possible.
I hope you get a diagnosis soon 💐

Thanks! I have had this problem on and off for a year. Pain and discomfort always a week before my period (no discharge or smell) Since Xmas it has escalated and has been everyday. Wouldn’t be able to have sex as it would be too painful but I am allergic to spermicide- I’ve known that for years. Doctors can’t diagnose (had a swab and nothing came back) so I’ve been referred to a gynae now. It’s just awful living with pain everyday! Hoping to get some answers soon. Never did I think I would look forward to a period so much just so the pain goes for a few days!

Hi does anyone have any updates here I’m going through the same thing. Burning stinging vulva no discharge.

• Do the ‘greek tests’ at somewhere like Locus Medicus. They can pick up stuff that GUM clinics miss. The NHS is not good at gynaecology

• If not an infection then I don’t know but I have seen someone else on here complaining of v similar symptoms (perhaps was you!)

Thanks for this do they have a facility in the U.K.?

Hi, did you get sorted with this?

My friend had this for years and it was only seeing a dermatologist not a gynae that found a solution. It was Vulval dermatitis.