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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for help with my fiery vulva?

105 replies

Ouchouchowwwww · 06/01/2023 22:44

As the title says. Sorry but I’m desperate!

have been having a burning stinging inner labia/urethra for months. Pain worse when I need a wee but no pain upon actually weeing. No smell, no discharge, no itch,nothing external i can see. Seems to be especially triggered by sex. Pain concentrated to right side of vulva?!

i am 39. Three kids. Oldest 3. not breastfeeding or on any hormonal contraceptives. don’t use condoms. DH lucky if he gets near me thanks to the fires of hell in my knickers.

i’ve had swabs for thrush - came back showing minor growth only and have done round after round of pessary/canestan ointment/oral tablet. Also treated DH who has no symptoms. I’m on heavy duty probiotics. Tried BV treatment (negative swab) but didn’t help. Two rounds of ABx in case UTI (samples clear) but didn’t really help and doesn’t feel like a UTI really. GP stumped, he’s doing gynae referral but wait times of forever.

comes and goes - worse before my period then relieved when it arrives, then gradually returns.

it’s so sore and irritating.

asked GP if it could be early vag atrophy and she didn’t think so but can persist with this if others think it could be.

no scented sanpro or washing powder, live in joggers, cotton knickers etc. Only ever use unperfumed soap, no bubble bath or soap in vag.

Have found loads of threads on this but none ever have a resolution!

help me. I’m like that sex on fire song but in a massively unsexy way.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 06/01/2023 22:57

Oh and because I know I’ll get asked. It’s not an STI. Have had swabs for all sorts

OP posts:
Want2beme · 06/01/2023 23:02

I get that sensation from time to time, but not often enough to seek medical help. I did have a run of cystitis a few years back and it was hell. I got antibiotics from GP, which helped, but a nurse friend of mine told me to take cranberry supplements, but only the Seven Sea Cranberry FORTE supplements. They worked a treat. Another friend of mine had suffered with cystitis most of her adult life, and they worked for her as well. I also read some advice from a woman in her 70s, which was, when you pee, don't force it out, which is what I'd always done, but to let it just flow. She'd had cystitis too and was given that advice, and it has helped me.

Don't want to minimise your condition, though. Hope you get better soon.

drspouse · 06/01/2023 23:04

I started with vaginal atrophy in my mid to late 40s. Waited ages with people saying it was the wrong sort of tampons etc and only saw the GP about 4 or 5 years later and she gave me pessaries which did help.

KimberleyClark · 06/01/2023 23:08

Don’t use soap on your vulva. Try using aqueous cream instead or E45 body wash.

Tothemoonandbackx · 06/01/2023 23:09

This is the umpteenth time this week I've seen an itchy fanny thread on here, either somethings going around, or this is the same person putting up the same thread, just changing slight details.

Tonsiltrouble · 06/01/2023 23:11

I also feel like it’s itchy vulva week on mumsnet - could it be lichen sclerosus? Would fit the symptoms and is solved by strong steroid ointment. But it’s a lifelong condition if it is.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 06/01/2023 23:23

@Tothemoonandbackx @Tonsiltrouble you might be right but one of my friends lost her best friend to cancer of the vulva, so maybe don't be too quick to jump to conclusions?

Babamamananarama · 06/01/2023 23:24

Have a look into vaginal moisturising products from Yes. They don't have any irritants. Could it be the same bit of skin getting irritated/torn over and over? Do you use a good lube for sex? As we age we lose oestrogen and the vulval skin thins and becomes more fragile and you might need additional vaginal/vulval lubrication.

Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 06/01/2023 23:25

Thanks for replies thus far. I’ve tried cranberry previously. Will give another go.

It isn’t itchy! No itch at all. So don’t think could be LS? Is that only itchy?

@Tothemoonandbackx much as I’d love to start some sort of gang, I swear the others aren’t me and I would take an itch over the sting any time!

OP posts:
Holidayhomehell · 06/01/2023 23:29

Is there anything there if you feel around? Any sign that your glands are swollen at all? I had an awful burning sensation and then a cyst appeared - which did eventually burst in a hot bath. Instant relief. It took a while for the cyst to become raised and obvious.

Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 06/01/2023 23:30

@Babamamananarama will have a look. Thanks. Sex itself not painful and lubrication err isn’t an issue really but will look into it

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 06/01/2023 23:31

Sounds awful! No nothing and two doctors have looked too

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 06/01/2023 23:31

Sorry that was to @Holidayhomehell

OP posts:
MaverickGooseGoose · 06/01/2023 23:33

Oh wow, , me too. It's driving me fucking insane. It's not thrush, it's not jock itch. I don't know what to do next.

Tonsiltrouble · 06/01/2023 23:34

@Ouchouchowwwww mine doesn’t itch, it really really stings.

LakeFlyPie · 06/01/2023 23:35

Could it be shingles?

Crackedmosaic · 06/01/2023 23:37

I would look into aerobic vaginitis and cytolytic vaginosis.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 06/01/2023 23:41

Want2beme · 06/01/2023 23:02

I get that sensation from time to time, but not often enough to seek medical help. I did have a run of cystitis a few years back and it was hell. I got antibiotics from GP, which helped, but a nurse friend of mine told me to take cranberry supplements, but only the Seven Sea Cranberry FORTE supplements. They worked a treat. Another friend of mine had suffered with cystitis most of her adult life, and they worked for her as well. I also read some advice from a woman in her 70s, which was, when you pee, don't force it out, which is what I'd always done, but to let it just flow. She'd had cystitis too and was given that advice, and it has helped me.

Don't want to minimise your condition, though. Hope you get better soon.

Did you take the 4 a day as recommended?

ZenNudist · 06/01/2023 23:43

I've got this but it's been going for years so it's not vaginal atrophy. It's an imbalance of the bacteria in the vag I think. Bicarbonate of soda douche is supposed to help but I darent try anything that makes my internal flora worse. I've got a bunch of canasten probiotics pessary and planning on trying that next month.

My period definitely gets rid of it then its back at the end of the next cycle. I've had a gynae consult this week due to another issue with my cervix and they've taken swabs so following that result I'm going to seek a further referral to deal with the itch issue!

She did say its more than a years wait for benign gynae problems but I will go private. For you it would be worth getting on the wait list rather than suffer for years like I have.

Caulidop · 06/01/2023 23:43

OP I've found GPs woefully useless with anything gynae related, I recommend making an appointment with your local GUM clinic instead. I almost feel like my GP surgery just dismiss anything in this category or treat for thrush, it was life changing speaking to the doctor at the GUM clinic! Hope you get the help you need

Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 06/01/2023 23:45

@Tonsiltrouble sorry to hear that but helpful all the same. Did you have any other symptoms? It all looks normal down there. Have didn’t a lot of time with my phone camera trying to get a proper look and praying I didn’t FaceTime anyone 😁

@MaverickGooseGoose welcome to the fiery hell club.

thanks for other suggestions. Don’t think shingles? It’s unconfortable rather than painful… and have googled aerobic vaginwhatsit. There’s no discharge or smell but sounds playsible

OP posts:
CrunchyCarrot · 06/01/2023 23:46

Could it be vulvodynia? www.nhs.uk/conditions/vulvodynia/

Original poster
Ouchouchowwwww · 06/01/2023 23:48

Interesting @ZenNudist… I have tried those probiotic pessaries but maybe will give another go. Sorry you’re suffering too. Is it more external than internal for you? I feel like mine has been going on so long I can’t tell if it’s outside or inside but full bladder def makes it worst

@Caulidop i called the local GUM and they said they don’t deal with anything dermatological! Was gutted

OP posts:
AxolotlEars · 06/01/2023 23:51

I was going to say vulvodynia. If your GP isn't getting anywhere then ask for a referral to a gynaecologist.

Caulidop · 06/01/2023 23:56

What??? This seems ridiculous! Could you ask your GP for a dermo or gynae referral? Or push the point with the GUM clinic? I've been brushed off so much in the past and doubted myself, please please continue to make appointments with your GP if no other option. Push to make a referral to someone who can help. So sorry you're going through this, it's shit

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