Please help, wtf is wrong with my vagina ??

[helpmepleaseahh]

Please help me, I’m extremely worried about this.

I’m not a troll, MN can verify I’ve posted before

I’ve got a female problem and I’m so embarrassed and upset about it. I told my mum and she’s never heard of it and said I should go to the doctors (I will when I’m home from uni on Thursday) I’m just so worried about this and I don’t know what it could be. I’ll try and use the correct terminology rather than slang words to make it easier to understand

recently I’ve had a lot of discomfort- like a really strong burning itch. It’s not so much Vaginally it was more towards the clitoral hood. I never scratched it but it’s just felt really uncomfortable and there was a strong smell. I went to the pharmacy who recommended thrush treatment so I did that. No change whatsoever. I tried different things and nothing helped. We also treated for bv in case it was that but again, no help. I hadn’t shaved so I couldn’t get a 100% complete view of the area but it didn’t look particularly bad.

until I shaved last night and realised exactly what the problem is. I’ve got like a tear/split in the skin, probably about an inch and a half in size, running vertically up the clitoral hood. It’s AGONY and walking and stretching my legs opens it. The skin has torn completely open and there’s a strong smell and that horrible burning itch feeling which obviously I’m ignoring but I’ve never seen anything like this before and I’m worried sick

it doesn’t look like thrush or BV at least from what I’ve seen with pictures of them.

I’ve never had sex so it can’t be an std unless I’ve got it from a public toilet or a swimming pool, not sure if that’s even possible?

basically I’m just worried sick about what this could be and if I’ve got some kind of horrible bug down there or what is going on. I’m going to go to the doctor (absolutely dreading that too as I don’t want to have to show them but obviously it’s necessary) but does anyone have any idea what this could be and will they be able to fix it?

Thanks very much in advance. I’ve been worried sick about it all night

With kindness OP you just need to get seen rather than self diagnose. Crack on and make that happen - even if you have to go to Q&E

Oh you poor thing.

As others have said, it sounds like a cut that’s got infected - which can happen on any part of your body. I would imagine some antibiotics will clear it up, no problem.

Please don’t worry about a GP looking at it - remember, looking at genitals is no different to them than looking at a finger, ear, arm etc - they do it all the time and won’t bat an eyelid. Hope you get it sorted.

Oh OP. Definitely go to the drs, maybe sexual health clinic will have better understanding. Do you do sports? It sounds to me like you've somehow managed to injure yourself and it got infected. Get seen assp to make sure this doesn't develop into sepsis or cause you longer term issues, including fertility-wise. There's no shame here, you need medical help. I would refrain from putting any creams on it now and use boiled and cooled down water and clean cloths to clean yourself down there. Wear thin non-scented cotton pads and cotton underwear and get seen asap. I hope you feel better soon!

I think you'll likely get antibiotics and maybe some sort of a cream. Make sure to take appropriate probiotics afterwards.

It's very skin thin round there and tears are not uncommon. It could be from sex., it could be from your clothes rubbing, it could be you caught it. It could be lots of things. Lots of times you're not even aware of these tears unless they get aggravated for some reason. Then they can feel itchy and sore. Always make sure you wash with a gentle, unfragranced wash and avoid anything that might irritate it.
Definitely a good decision to get it checked out but it sounds like it's not serious.

If uou can rule out bv, thrush and stds and can see a tear or cut, I'd have thought lichen sclerosis is a not unlikely possibility?

Make sure you see a GP who knows about this as I've encountered a few who haven't.

If you start to feel unwell/shivery with infection, go straight to a and e.

Get well soon.

Do you have psoriasis op? I had to go to the gp with something very similar once and when she saw the split in my bits, she said it was that. It healed over a couple of weeks.

Could it be Lichen Sclerosus? That can be unbearably itchy and make the skin very delicate and tear-able down there. It may have become infected. LS can affect the skin from the anus to the clitoris. The skin may look a bit pale , white or patchy compared to normal.

Respectfully, don’t self diagnose or self treat. Dr Google is not your friend!
As others said, if you really can’t get a GP appointment in the early part of next week then go to a walk in centre, minor injuries unit or GUM clinic asap.
Personally I wouldn’t have waited as long as you have done. You can phone 111 to be triaged and directed to your nearest appropriate treatment option. Don’t downplay your symptoms.
Hope you get sorted soon.

Hi 😊

just thought I would post a quick update.

unfortunately I still don’t know what is causing it. But I managed to get a GP appointment booked (for this Monday- first appointment I could get) thankfully so hopefully I’ll get an answer. It’s been going on for a while and hasn’t improved with any OTC stuff. I appreciate the recommendation of NHS24 etc but I thought because it’s been going on for a while it would be better to wait for GP. I tried to get a GUM appointment but there’s nothing in our area and the nearest one doesn’t take patients out with its health board unfortunately.

after reading everyone’s comments I think there’s a few things it could be. It could be psoriasis (I have this already elsewhere) although this is under control and I haven’t flared in a long time, and this looks nothing like psoriasis I’ve had before, nor does it look like genital psoriasis when I googled it. It could also be BV since there’s some crusting around the cur and it’s slightly yellowish and greenish. It could also be LS since I’ve had some white crusts and I’ve actually had problems with what I assumed was anal fissures for months. Like agonising pain going to the toilet and blood when wiping. Again, I’ve been trying everything OTC and nothing has helped it but with exams and uni I ignored it and assumed it was harmless anal fissures. I’m wondering now if it’s LS and not anal fissures and actually this is all related.

thanks again everyone for all the advice. I’ll update once I’ve been seen and got some advice about what it is. It’s going to be a long weekend because it’s pretty uncomfortable but at least I’ll have some answers and help soon!

Just wondering if anyone is still about. I’m absolutely miserable with it- it’s unbearably itchy (I’m avoiding scratching it) but also extremely painful. it’s also bleeding now too and has a discharge from it so I think the cut is slightly infected too although it doesn’t look too bad to be fair. I’ll be seeing the doctor on Monday so not long to wait but for some reason tonight is particularly bad. Slightly worried in case it never heals up- it’s not like a deep cut that would need stitches or glue, it’s like a split in the skin or a a big hack (if that makes sense) but the doctor will be able to give me something for it to make it heal up, right? Just panicking because this has been going on for so long and hasn’t healed and I’m panicking I’ll be left with a scar from it or it just won’t heal and this will be my life from now on (I know that’s ridiculous but I’m just panicking about it😞)

OP, I've not read the full thread but note you say you haven't had sex so can't be an STD.

Without wanting to pry, have you ever been given oral sex? It's possible to contract herpes from oral sex. I contracted HSV1 from being given oral sex. That's the oral type.

Your symptoms sound very similar to mine first breakout. I originally thought it was thrush, because of the itching. Which a few days later turned into pain and a tear in the skin. I went to the GP, who took a look and said herself she didn't think it looked like herpes but asked if I wanted a swab to test anyway. I said yes might as well as thrush treatment wasn't working. It came back, HSV1.

Symptoms were peculiarly similar, except there was no smell. The 'tear' did look infected as it developed, (whitish) around the edges.

Hi. Thank you so much for helping and commenting. No I haven’t ever had any sort of sexual activity (I’m an extremely boring uni student, haha) I haven’t done anything other than kiss a guy. Is it possible to contract something like that from kissing and for it to somehow only show as genital symptoms? I don’t have any cold sores or other problems if that makes a difference. It sounds exactly like the thing you had.

I had another look at it as it’s unbearable tonight and there seems to be a few smaller tears/hacks now as well as the original one. I think the skin is incredibly dry down there and it’s maybe caused it too but I’m not sure.

apologies for the slight drip feed, (I didn’t mention initially as I didn’t think it was even relevant) but I have had dryness down there for a while. I don’t mean like eczema or psoriasis dryness, more like a friction dryness and the area seems to be really dry and fragile. I have extremely irregular periods although the doctor isn’t concerned as they’ve never really been regular so it’s not a sudden change, but I’m wondering if it’s related to this dryness and the skin splits? Or maybe not and I’m just joining dots that don’t need to be joined!

You poor love. Have a google and see if there are any walk in clinics near you. The quicker you are seen the sooner you will start to feel better. It sounds so uncomfortable. Hopefully it can just be treated with some antibiotics and some medicated cream, but do mention the dryness to the GP also because you don’t want this soreness to become a regular occurrence. Good luck sweetheart x

I would put a lot of money on it having to do with the dryness. The interior of the vulva and vaginal opening are mean to be moist (sorry for the terrible word) and absolutely not dry. As a PP mentioned- can you get you hands on a moisturiser specifically for the valvular area? They definitely exist!

I know after giving birth it’s common for women to experience extreme itching, pain and odour due to hormone related dryness. Not that this exact case is relevant to you, but goes to show dryness is a real problem for women.

I was struggling with splits/tears and dryness, and low grade thrush which I cannot take oral canesten for (not without stopping one of my heart medications for 5 days!).

I now use zerobase cream down there several times a week or if its feeling sore/dry and things have cleared up brilliantly - there was no underlying infection though, I think just thin skin and dryness and friction causing the issue.

I am normally pretty sensitive and was worried about using zerobase on the inner labia but its been fine, no issues at all!

I wouldn't wait till Thursday. go to your local GUM clinic, they usually do walk in appointments. you don't want the infection to spread

it could still be thrush, it can cause tears in the skin that burn and itch like that

you might have too much sugar in your urine , thats why diabetics get alot of thrush
for the itching and pain , a doctor suggested salt water to me, sit on the toilet and pour the solution over your bits, or you can make a salt bath
for instant relief icy cold water helps

Oh @helpmepleaseahh you poor thing. If you are still awake, I'd go to A&E now. It will be quiet at 5.30 on a Sunday morning.

Yep I'd go to A&E now.

For relief: clean with cooled boiled water, try again with the sudocrem and/or vaseline.
Put a sanitary towel or panty liner in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few hours before putting in your pants - the cold will soothe.
Otherwise go without pants when you can.

It does sounds like it could be HSV. I had an outbreak when I was pregnant. Like pp it was HSV1, the coldsore variant, that decided to present abnormally. The GP couldn't diagnose it and thought I had some kind of skin infection, have me a cream for it that was bloody murder to apply - I freaked right out thinking I was going to end up with sepsis and my baby would die. ExDP phoned NHS 111 and took me to an out of hours GP appointment at 3am because I was hysterical. She suggested herpes and recommended I go to the gum clinic for a second opinion. Went later the same day, the lady took one look and said yep. Gave me acyclovir and the numbing gel they use for coil insertion and I got my first bit of relief in weeks. (Got a phonecall later to say it was the coldsore variant once the swab she took for confirmation came back)

You might have coldsores without realising. Mine are very few and far between and only ever present as cracks in the corners of my mouth. Some people get massive crusty patches on their lips which are much more obvious. I know it's been suggested and you've attempted to get to a gum clinic but I really do think it's your best bet. The good thing about HSV is the first outbreak tends to be the worst so if it is and you have another outbreak later on, it'll probably be much more mild

I do hope you manage to find out what it is for sure, it sounds incredibly uncomfortable for you

I would go to A&E now - hopefully it won't be too long a wait early on a Sunday.

Just to add you can purchase Hydrocortisone 1% cream in any boots in the pharmacy section for dry skin/skin conditions. It’s only £3.50 approx and really makes a difference in my opinion.

When you call NHS direct they should be able to arrange a call back from a GUM clinic nurse to discuss issue and make appointment.

Oh my goodness, I really cant wait for you to get to the doctor tomorrow. Hopefully she will sort you out. Make sure it's a female gp too or nurse so you feel comfortable.

I am a long time sufferer of thrush and various issues down below. I get thrush very easily and scratching it doesn't help. I am currently 5 months post c section and still suffering with post natal bleeding randomly every now and again.

And just because you haven't had sex, doesn't mean you are a boring uni student. There are plenty of people who wait until they're older and settled before having sexual relationships. I was married before I had sex!

I wouldn't use hydrocortisone on any genital area without medical advice. The skin there is really thin already and hydrocortisone thins the skin.