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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be in agony

73 replies

chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 00:12

I posted about this about a month ago but can’t find the post anymore, not sure if it’s been deleted or what’s happened.

basically I had been having horrific discomfort around my clitoris area (burning and intense itching) for months. I couldn’t see what was going on as I hadn’t shaved and I assumed it was possibly thrush etc. I went to the pharmacy and got thrush treatments. It had no help at all. Then I thought it was maybe BV so it was treated for that too. Again, no help.

I ended up shaving the area and suddenly noticed the problem. I had a tear/cut on the clitoris hood area. It’s crusted/scabby but also an open weepy wound, like a vertical cut.

i was really freaked out as I’ve never seen anything like this before. I posted on here for advice and everyone suggested problems it could be and I went to the GPS who said it was infected psoriasis and gave me treatment for it.

however that was a month ago and there’s been no improvement- infact, the cut has got bigger and the itching is even more intense. It’s as if someone has torn the skin vertically and it’s completely split and ripped open and it’s agony

i don’t have an STI (I know that for absolute certain) and there are no sexual health clinics that cover my area. I’ll go back to the GP asap but in the meantime I’m worried sick about this. I don’t know why it’s not getting better, or what it is, and I’m so uncomfortable and miserable with it. I’m terrified the cut never heals itself or gets better, I don’t even know why im posting sorry just in the off chance someone else has experienced this and could offer any knowledge or advice :(

OP posts:
Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 00:14

Oh and I should have said, I’m not a troll, I’m a regular NC poster, on my last post someone accused me of being a troll because I mentioned the word clitoris but at the end of the day it’s just a body part like arm or leg and I don’t see an issue with saying it when I’m trying to describe a specific problem, apologies if anyone does have any issues with the word though

OP posts:
OrwellianTimes · 04/07/2023 00:15

I’ve no experience or advice but that sounds horrible to deal with. Go back to your GP, and keep going back until you get the solution. I’d be begging for an urgent dermatologist referral.

Hate to say it but could you afford to go private if needed?

User10932 · 04/07/2023 00:17

Could you try something like Vaseline or similar barrier cream and a padded dressing over it? Rubbing on underwear/ toilet roll chafing/ acidic urine etc is probably making it worse. Good luck!

WhiplashGirlchild · 04/07/2023 00:20

There's never hair on the clitoral hood area? Sorry, I can't help you otherwise, OP

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 00:23

Apologies for the half empty OP- I should have included, I tried e45/sudocrem/vasoline/nappy rash cream/other barrier creams but nothing helped. I’ve no idea why the cut/split started in the first place but it wasn’t from shaving as I hadn’t shaved when the problem started iyswim. Im also not accidentally scratching it despite the itching and burning as I have 0 nails at all so physically can’t and I was wearing gloves during the night and I definitely am not scratching it and accidentally reopening it so I’m not sure why it’s not healing on its own x

OP posts:
Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 00:25

WhiplashGirlchild · 04/07/2023 00:20

There's never hair on the clitoral hood area? Sorry, I can't help you otherwise, OP

Oh, I definitely get hair around that area unfortunately! It’s not hair inside just around the general area but I just mentioned it in my OP to explain why I hadn’t noticed the cut at first IYSWIM x

OP posts:
Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 00:27

OrwellianTimes · 04/07/2023 00:15

I’ve no experience or advice but that sounds horrible to deal with. Go back to your GP, and keep going back until you get the solution. I’d be begging for an urgent dermatologist referral.

Hate to say it but could you afford to go private if needed?

Thanks (and to everyone so far too)

I dont think I could afford privately, well I could I suppose but very very uncomfortably and not easily so as a last resort. When it’s really bad I think fuck it I’ll get it checked privately but then I put my sensible hat on and remember I really can’t exactly afford it x

OP posts:
MustYou · 04/07/2023 00:27

I remember your first post and I’m sorry you’re still suffering. I think you need an urgent referral to a gynecologist and to go private if you can afford it. It’s possible it’s persistent thrush / lichen sclerosis / diabetic complication / something entirely different etc - but needs an expert to diagnose. Has it been swabbed?

WhiplashGirlchild · 04/07/2023 00:28

chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 00:25

Oh, I definitely get hair around that area unfortunately! It’s not hair inside just around the general area but I just mentioned it in my OP to explain why I hadn’t noticed the cut at first IYSWIM x

Show quote history

Ok, I understand. I wonder if it's a similar thing to an anal fissure. I wish I could be of more help

margegunderson · 04/07/2023 00:29

Couple of questions. How old are you? It could be genitourinary syndrome of menopause which can hit in very early peri or when breastfeeding and is often easily fixed with local oestrogen (cream, pessary or ring). The other likely option is lichen sclerosis which is an autoimmune condition and can affect children too. It is often very itchy and the skin round the vulva gets scarred. GPs often don't spot either condition. If there's a sexual health clinic near you I'd go there first off probably and ask about LS. They should also be able to advise if it's hormone related but will probably not prescribe local HRT - might send you back to the GP for that. Good luck - it sounds very painful.

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 00:29

WhiplashGirlchild · 04/07/2023 00:28

Ok, I understand. I wonder if it's a similar thing to an anal fissure. I wish I could be of more help

Show quote history

That is exactly what it’s like!! It’s like a random vertical fissure, I should have explained it like that in my OP as it would have made more sense. Thanks!

OP posts:
Imperialleathers · 04/07/2023 00:30

I feel for you OP. Do you shave ? I’ve had this before by accidentally cutting myself while shaving, was a bit too close to the clitoros and didn’t realise until I was sore after. I did take a while

LordSalem · 04/07/2023 00:30

Vagisil for the pain and itching and ask GP to refer you to a gynaecologist. There is something that causes skin splitting, but buggered if I can remember the term. I suffered with it for a while (seems to run in the family) but it resolved itself after a couple of years and I haven't had it since. I stepped out of the bath one time and apparently lifted my leg too high/far apart. That fucking stung and hurt for weeks.

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 00:31

MustYou · 04/07/2023 00:27

I remember your first post and I’m sorry you’re still suffering. I think you need an urgent referral to a gynecologist and to go private if you can afford it. It’s possible it’s persistent thrush / lichen sclerosis / diabetic complication / something entirely different etc - but needs an expert to diagnose. Has it been swabbed?

Thank you - I wish I could find my original post but it’s not there and I’ve checked my list of threads I made etc! That was the thing - lichen sclerosis- that was mentioned as a possibility in my first thread but I couldn’t remember the name of it. I was so relieved it was just psoriasis but it’s just not improved at all x

OP posts:
Imperialleathers · 04/07/2023 00:32

Posted too soon. A while to heal although not a month. Where are you in the UK? In a lot of places you can order an sti kit to your house. Not saying you have one but always good to check. But I would 100% be going back to the GP without a doubt. hope you get it sorted soon.

margegunderson · 04/07/2023 00:32

Sorry OP I just re-read and see your don't have a sexual health clinic! Go back to the GP and ask specifically about LS/GSM. It would be a good idea to get referred to vulval dermatologist to be sure about LS as treatment is steroid cream, it's not always easy to spot but it can be very painful and damaging if left.

milkydress · 04/07/2023 00:37

OP if you are in so much pain, go to A&E. This sounds really awful and I wouid be concerned that it may get infected and lead to sepsis. Im not trying to frighten you but I really feel for you! I hope you get well soon x

bonfirebash · 04/07/2023 01:00

I have had this but right above by bum before and it took ages to heal
Hydromol ointment helped, I washed with it as well as moisturised. It wouldn't do any harm in the meantime as it's very soothing and you can use it around your genitals with no issue
Amazon usually have it

GoldSilverBronzeTan · 04/07/2023 01:06

Hey OP, I remember your previous post because I have a cut on my clit hood that hasn’t healed yet - it’s taking forever but I am diabetic with high blood sugars at the moment.

have you tried an anti fungal treatment? Eg athlete’s foot cream?

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 04/07/2023 02:17

Fears the rest of vaginal like? It's it dry? You could try vaginal moisturiser like yes. I have lichen sclerosis and feel your pain. Push for referral to gynae gp not great in my experience.

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 04/07/2023 12:02

Thanks for all the advice. It’s definitely not a shaving cut as I hadn’t shaved for ages before it all started. I’m worried it could be lichen sclerosis but I’m holding onto the hope that it could just be psoriasis. I’m nowhere near menopause age yet so I really hope it’s not that. I guess I’ll just need to be patient and wait until the GP sees it x

OP posts:
fiftyandfat · 04/07/2023 12:15

You need a vulval clinic if at all possible, not a gynaecologist. It is worth asking your GP if there is one at a local hospital.

RichTeee · 04/07/2023 12:16

I would ask for a referral to dermatology over gynae for this issue.

I have had a similar issue and my mum does have lichen sclerosis. When I saw my gynae for other issues (endo/sterilisation) I showed him the rash and fissures and all he could say was looks autoimmune, not my specific area of medicine, go to dermatology. My mum sees dermatology.

(Which in my case ended up making sense as I was diagnosed with something else a few weeks later that encompasses everything)

But even my mums lichen sclerosis is thought to be part of the autoimmune family. Do you have any other autoimmune conditions?

It is miserable and so painful, in my case it has been helped by a course of steroids and starting an immunosuppressant. Though that is to treat other issues as well. However my mum has been given similar treatment.

Hope you can get somewhere quickly, check waiting times in your area. Here they are years so saving the £200 -300 doesn't seem so bad in the long term to get some life back.

Greenpin · 04/07/2023 12:34

Second that you need a vulva clinic. Really push for a referral. It sounds like lichen sclerosis. I have it and it can drive you mad but it is treatable. I've had a couple of operations as well which helped.

Greenpin · 04/07/2023 12:36

(Sadly you can have LS from any age . I've had since I was a teenager)