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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask WTF is wrong with my Vag?

127 replies

WTFiswrongwithmyVag · 25/02/2020 20:37

NCd obv. Apols for TMI.

Doctor has done a swab and said it is unlikely to be thrush or BV. I did a home test kit that said the same. Dr said most likely eczema and to keep it moisturised Hmm , not use soap, blah blah. I don't anyway, just wash with water.

Had a fairly comprehensive STI screening and nothing detected.

It itches like fuck. All the time. On my vulva skin. And is sore sore sore.

Discharge does not smell. It is usually white and not much of it, but it dries inside my vulva like a smear of toothpaste which can be rubbed off. For one week a month mid cycle it is clear and runny and copious. The itching is far worse then.

Sex irritates it. Wiping after the loo irritates it. It keeps me awake at night with The Fucking Itch. If I scratch it, it gets even more sore.

FML. It has been like this for literally Years. Worse at times, better at times.

I've tried yogurt, tea tree oil, vinegar, canesten, HC cream, probiotics, antibiotics, low carb diet, no yeast diet, cotton undies, non bio washing powder...Not sure what else I can try.

Anyone else had this and can point me to some help?

OP posts:
FabulouslyElegantTits · 25/02/2020 21:57

Bloody hell (sorry to detail op) .. but lots of us with LS on here isn't there!!

DaisyDreaming · 25/02/2020 21:58

Are the white lines definitely dried discharge? Lichen planus can cause white lines and those symptoms

BigBairyHollocks · 25/02/2020 21:59

OP, insist on a referral to a dermatologist.It probably isn’t, but could possibly be something serious and you need to have it checked properly.

mirilou · 25/02/2020 21:59

I have exactly this, also for years. I thought / think it's thrush but not of the usual kind. Also for years. I've been to the GP several times, but like you, all swabs have come back negative. I also have some swelling on one side. Finally the GP agreed to put me on a low dose of fluconazole for a few months, I really think it made a difference, but sadly not enough to clear it, and now the itching is coming back. I don't think they'll agree to put me back on another course without a positive swab though. I've been really down about it. It also got into one of my breasts too which has been so painful. Mine seems diet related too in that chocolate / sugar makes to worse, but it's never really ever 'gone' so not sure if 'recurrent' thrush is right. Please do post back if you get anywhere with it. It really has got me so down over the years.

DaisyDreaming · 25/02/2020 22:00

Those with LS does it involve your mouth as well? I was diagnosed with lichen planus as if effects my mouth too but I didn’t have the biopsy to confirm so never got a firm diagnosis

Glitteryone · 25/02/2020 22:07

I suffer from this also.... I go through a bottle of hand wash a day because of it.

I’ve tried not to scratch to the point of crying.

My GP has been no help at all.

butterfly86 · 25/02/2020 22:07

Lichen sclerosis sufferer here too. I went backwards and forwards for years they sent me to the g.u.m clinic even though I was in a long term relationship and it was an amazing Dr there that new what it was straight away. I was only late teens/early twenties when I was diagnosed which is young I think. It's been a while since I had a flare up but steroid cream does the trick when I need it. I have to wash my underwear in separate washing powder and wash with epaderm (that auotocorrected to sperm 😂) and that keeps things under control. Initially I was on long term thrush treatment alongside the steroid as I was in a vicious circle of thrush and ls flare up the dr said the ls creates little splits which is the perfect ground for thrush to grow and it did eventually get it all under control. The steroid I have is dermovate. I hope you get sorted soon.

Twinsgranny · 25/02/2020 22:11

I have vaginal atrophy and it’s not like that. Worms itch like hell (I have had those too!) but back passage and not discharge. You have had amazing advice on here and I couldn’t agree more that it’s time for a proper referral. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 25/02/2020 22:12

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MunchyMunchkin · 25/02/2020 22:14

@DaisyDreaming LS doesn’t affect the mouth.

maddy68 · 25/02/2020 22:14

I have this. I have steroid cream to rub in and only wash using dermal 500 also take an antihistamine it reduces the itching it's manageable now.

HotPenguin · 25/02/2020 22:15

I wouldn't wash with aqueous cream, it could irritate. I would either wash with plain water or with a plain emollient cream such as cetraben.

I once had persistent thrush and the Dr told me to use a canesten pessary every day for a week, this got rid of it where the one off oral tablet has failed.

Lichen sclerosis and perimenopause are also worth thinking about.

Grumpos · 25/02/2020 22:19

Totally off the cuff there was a thread recently - Or may have been a comment on a thread - but someone was allergic to toilet paper (the bleach / dye in it) and it took them years to work out why they always itched so much.
Seeing as you have discharge it’s likely it isn’t this but might be worth ensuring you have paper which isn’t treated, just to rule out any irritant.

bornonasunday · 25/02/2020 22:21

Have you tried a cream called Gyno-daktarin? I used to suffer really itchy outbreaks before I was menopausal and this helped so much. From what I remember it’s prescription only - but that may have changed over last few years. Hope you get some relief soon x

annie987 · 25/02/2020 22:26

LS here too. The steroid cream provides instant relief!!

Faerysmoke · 25/02/2020 22:27

I had something similar for years and was at my wits end. I tried everything; creams of every type, soap and no soap, no underwear, cotton only, different body products, shaving, not shaving... literally nothing helped. Eventually I tried all the different washing powders. I was using Ecover liquid for years as I thought it was natural. Then switched to Ecover powder; no joy. Then switched to Surcare which is meant to be anti-allergy. The itching got even worse. Then I bought a cheap washing powder from Aldi (the blue one) and since I've been using that the issue has completely cleared up. I am like a new person almost overnight after 7 years of itching. Might be worth a try. Sometimes it's not as simple as natural vs synthetic or bio vs non-bio. it could just be a sensitivity to one very specific ingredient. Good luck.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 25/02/2020 22:32

Another vote for multi gyn actigel. It’s good stuff

CookPassBabtridge · 25/02/2020 22:33

I've had itchy vulva for years and years, it felt like a bush fire and put me off sex.
One thing I realised was I had psoriasis there.. I have a few patches elsewhere but it looks different (silver scales) rather than tight red shiny skin on my vulva. Steroid cream has really helped.
Also I had a look down there and noticed white hair (I'm early 30s) and realised I have vitiligo. The skin is white and hair growing on it is white. Apparently this can make it itch too.

Booberella9 · 25/02/2020 22:35

To add to the ideas here - boil wash your undies. Any nasties will just carry on living in your undies through a 30 or 40 wash and re-irritate. Put them through on 60 at least, 90 is better. Especially for suspected thrush, yeast is bloody difficult to kill off, and anti bacterial hand wash has no effect on it Envy not envy. Boil the bastards!

Booboostwo · 25/02/2020 22:36

I have eczema in my outer labias. It took four years to be diagnosed, at first the GP refused to even refer me, it was disgraceful. The itching was so bad I wanted to take a knife and scratch myself, as soon as I fell asleep I would scratch myself raw. It was a nightmare.

I saw a gynecologist who couldn’t figure it out despite doing a biopsy and finally saw a dermatologist who diagnosed and gave me a steroid cream.

MrsMozartMkII · 25/02/2020 22:36

Just a thought, but consider adjusting your diet to counteract a candida overgrowth. Won't cost you anything and is worth a try.

WTFiswrongwithmyVag · 25/02/2020 22:37

Wow, what a response, thanks all. Will work my way through the suggestions and questions.

I'm careful about wiping. Use flannel daily on nethers or shower. No worms. Have tried different powders and now use same one for years as none made any difference.

Lichen Sclerosis? Never heard of it. Will look that up, thanks. Steroid cream does help the itching, but it only treats the symptom not the cause. And can't be used more than 5 days at a time.

The dr I saw was at the sexual health clinic and specialised in dermatology of nether regions Confused

Tried sudocrem which helps with soreness and healing tears, but makes the itching worse. Not tried vagisil as loathe to put anything on it without a diagnosis, and also only treating symptoms.

I've seen proper psoriasis and it isn't that on my vag. No flaking skin, overgrowth of skin, or hardened dry bits. No shaving, just use trimmer to tame the hairy beast.

I don't use fabric conditioners. Try and use cotton underwear but no difference. I am overweight so there is some thigh rub, but thighs aren't sore or itchy, just the vulva. It is worse if I get sweaty though, and any moisture coming out of me irritates it.

Yes, antihistamines help with the itching but aren't a long term solution. I don't want to take them every day just because my fanny is making me want to rip my own skin off.

Yes, def worse at night, but then I'm probably more prone to feeling it when I'm in bed doing nothing else but trying to sleep.

I've tried the one dose fluconazole you can buy. Many times. No difference. And it is expensive.

My diaphragm gel is very acidic. It makes it no better or worse. Except it stings when I've got a sore patch of skin.

I've had many treatments for thrush over the years, but none work. Both OTC and gp prescribed. I thought it was thrush for a long time. I am in my 40s but I've had this since I was a teenager.

The hairy bit of skin is quite dry, hence the eczema suggestion by the dr, and recently I have tried oat based emollients and hydrocortisone cream. But it doesn't change the fact that it itches, and as soon as it gets wet it itches more. And the white toothpaste like discharge?

Re iron, I eat red meat and loads of green veg. No anaemia likely. Have annual bloods done and all good. Good diet all round really, though I do eat too much.

I can't give up chocolate! Rather give up sex!!!

From what I've read, vaginal dryness isn't dry skin on the vulva, it is lack of juices inside. Trust me, I don't have any problems there!! In fact, it is the juices that irritate it even more! My mid month discharge is a bitch for the itch.

Lots more votes for LS. I'm going to research.

Group B Strep? Never been tested. Had several vaginal births and no problems. Also had several courses of shit hot antibiotics in last few years for other health issues, and none worked on the vag. At least I cannot identify a definite timeframe to indicate they worked (but it has been fluctuating slightly better or worse over the years).

Wearing no underwear at night is worse than wearing something. No idea why. It feels like tiny biting ants are crawling all over my skin down there. Yuk.

I'll check out all the links now, thanks for sending.

Sorry to hear others are suffering too. It's pretty shit and annoying.

OP posts:
Numptywallice · 25/02/2020 22:38

Sounds like thrush. I use a pessary and external cream for outer itch. I get it before period, during period, after sex and everything in between. Honestly always feel such a relief especially outer cream. Hope you get it sorted soon as a friend once told me ‘it’s such a pain in the c£&t.

Porcupineinwaiting · 25/02/2020 22:38

I had something similar recently. Treated for thrush - didnt work. Then thought it was perimenopause dryness. It was worms Blush.

BearimyJeremy · 25/02/2020 22:40

My mum gave me some basic 101 advice when I had persistent thrush, which was to put a skirt on and go commando. Tight trousers and skinny jeans, even knickers make it all worse whatever it is. Get some air on your bits as often as you can, warm plain baths maybe a bit of salt water and if defo not thrush or bacterial a swipe of sudocreme or zinc and caster oil.

If your bits get sweaty it'll start to itch again so repeat plain bath and air and lightest of cream etc as far as is practical obv X

Much sympathy, like I said my misery was persistent thrush and piles plus scratching grazes but just so hard to work around day to day.

If it might be thrush (and I never had much discharge with thrush) try daktarin not just canesten. Subtly different fungicide but can make all the difference.

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