AIBU to ask for help for my fiery fanjo?

[FieryFanjo]

So, name change for obvious reasons...

I've been having some fanjo discomfort over the last few days - a sort of vague burning sensation. I don't really want to go to the GP as a) it's a faff, b) it's embarrassing and c) I don't think it's anything serious - although I will if it continues.

Salient points:

1. Seems to be worse at night
2. No burning whilst peeing
3. Don't see that it can be an STI as I haven't had sex in forever (six months) and used condoms
4. I'm mid-40s but for complicated reasons know that it's not linked to menopause
5. No discharge
6. No unpleasant odour
7. No broken skin / not sore to the touch
8. No itching
9. Have been using Simple facewash for my vulva, but have never before been irritated by products and am not prone to thrush

Any ideas??

@Londonmummy66

When I've had this it has usually been cured by a couple of OTC pessaries administered 2 days apart.

If that fails and you can't face the GP then a drop in at the sexual health clinic might be worth a try?

The GP's closer and if I do have to go through the ordeal of being examined it doesn't make much difference to me who it is (within reason!).

Probiotics and prebiotics do this to me. As well as scented sanitary towels and scented toilet paper

Do you have kids? Even if you don’t it could be worms. Itchy/sore at night is the clue

@Anne1958

Lichen Sclerosis?

Good grief. Is my fanjo completely broken? Shall I just shut up shop now?

@Imtootired

Do you have kids? Even if you don’t it could be worms. Itchy/sore at night is the clue

No kids, no itching.

My friend had this problem. She was left doubly incontinent from childbirth and so had a habit of using wet wipes throughout the day. She went to the doctor and they found nothing wrong but told her to stop using wet wipes as she was washing away all the good bacteria down there.
She stopped and has been fine ever since, (for that problem)

Do you have a temp?

Do you have any itching anywhere else, or skin crawly feelings ...in particular your hands or feet

Are you more thirsty than usual

Is your skin tone the normal color?

@amysteryforsaturday

FYI I’ve had vulval surgery, have vulval eczema, multiple cysts, have had multiple ops over space of fifteen years - they tell you at every single appointment not to use soap at all . Even told me at one stage to wash my hair over bath as shampoo might be causing a bother - soap is not necessary . Can use soap into groin but not on vulva - even femfresh gynae prof said is unhelpful . Said best and safest is gentle warm water .

Gosh. Going to take me a while to get my head round not washing with soap after 40-odd years.

Oh and also look in the mirror and swallow. Does your adams apple bob in the normal manner, does your neck look normal

@SeaToSki

Do you have a temp?

Do you have any itching anywhere else, or skin crawly feelings ...in particular your hands or feet

Are you more thirsty than usual

Is your skin tone the normal color?

No, no, no, yes.

What did you have in mind?

@SeaToSki

Oh and also look in the mirror and swallow. Does your adams apple bob in the normal manner, does your neck look normal

You think I could be turning into a man?

I've heard of the sausage thing and similar is ice in a condom. I think you are meant to have the sausage wrapped inside a condom (oh god, that sounds really bad...), not just bare and uncovered inside you.

@TherebytheGraceofGodgoI

My friend had this problem. She was left doubly incontinent from childbirth and so had a habit of using wet wipes throughout the day. She went to the doctor and they found nothing wrong but told her to stop using wet wipes as she was washing away all the good bacteria down there. She stopped and has been fine ever since, (for that problem)

Poor woman.

I don't use wet wipes, though.

?Good grief. Is my fanjo completely broken? Shall I just shut up shop now*

I don’t understand, sorry.

I have it and thought it was worth a mention.

www.boots.com/multi-gyn-floraplus-5-x-5ml-10113673

I've used these before to ward off evil spirits when there's been a grumbling in the nether regions that hasn't quite fully declared itself either way. They're meant to sort of "reset" the natural balance/pH. You can also buy self test kits for thrush now for pretty cheap (also in Boots but presumably elsewhere too) which you could always do if you wanted to double check. Might be less hassle than going to the GP. Sending positive thoughts to your fanjo

@Cokie3

I've heard of the sausage thing and similar is ice in a condom. I think you are meant to have the sausage wrapped inside a condom (oh god, that sounds really bad...), not just bare and uncovered inside you.

I do have an out of date condom knocking around... (Yes, that's how much sex I've had lately.)

But does that actually cure the infection, or just provide some temporary relief? Because to be honest it's not so bad that I'm inclined to be sheathing frozen sausages.

Don't shove yoghurt up your FANJO, just eat it (if plain, live yoghurt. Not if sweetened/flavoured).

Drink plenty of still water. Avoid fizzy, caffeinated, alcohol, sweet things.

If you must wash with bio detergent put it on an extra rinse afterwards.

Wash vulva only with water. It will be fine.

Let your FANJO breathe at night.

Try the frozen sanitary pad if painful. If it hasn't cleared up in a couple of days get it checked out.

@Anne1958

?Good grief. Is my fanjo completely broken? Shall I just shut up shop now*

I don’t understand, sorry.

I have it and thought it was worth a mention.

Sorry - I was just getting slightly perturned by all the various suggestions of thrush, vaginal atrophy, lichen sclerosus, etc.

Hope you manage to get it sorted out.

Of course you can see your GP (you can ask to see a female one if you like) if it's uncomfortable and you've had it a while. I'm sure they've seen far worse.

*perturbed

A whole new meaning to chucking a sausage up an alley.

@Toofaroutallmylife

Water only is fine for the vulva if you use a directional shower (and I speak as someone who’s had half their vulva removed plus a few more bits over the years) (waves to *@MrsPnut*). My surgeon has always said no soap, directional shower and a hairdryer for drying.

But if it’s bothering you, you should speak to your GP

Oh, sorry to hear that.

A hairdryer??

Does this sound like something that might clear up on its own, or will it definitely need some sort of medication?

I get this kind of discomfort sometimes but am way past menopause so I assume vaginal atrophy.

I use non scented nappy cream for instant relief - I figured if OK for babies genitals should be fine for me

@FieryFanjo

Does this sound like something that might clear up on its own, or will it definitely need some sort of medication?

Try a barrier cream and no soap first, and just see if it helps. Some of it is trial and error to find the thing that works for you.