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Original poster

Embarrassing vagina question.

33 replies

Jumpyjuney · 01/12/2024 09:18

Hi im
askimg for help as I'm so embarrassed

iv been few a really bad few years since 2019, iv severely self neglected and I reached nearly 24 stone which I am now working on,
iv ignored a persistent problem which started off as itchy down there but the last couple of years it's been sore too, not all the time. It does get better if I bathe every day in the past.
but last night I took a look and there are dark patches on vagina and 2 red sores where I have been itching. I have ordered an online sexual health test but I haven't had sex for a good 7 years
many ideas?
my doctor is awful I just couldn't go to him

OP posts:
GreyLurker · 01/12/2024 09:21

Your doctor is the only one who can help you with this.

Wilfrida1 · 01/12/2024 09:21

That sounds like thrush to me. You can buy over the counter treatment for that, so why not give that a go and if no better, have a rethink? Is there another doctor in the practice you could ask for/ If the one you dislike is a man, you are entitled to ask for a female GP.

GettingStuffed · 01/12/2024 09:22

Go to a sexual health clinic. Itchy intimate areas can be caused by high blood sugar ie type 2 diabetes, have you been checked for that. Scratching could be the cause the red patches.

Zippidydoodah · 01/12/2024 09:23

Please go to the doctor, and don’t be embarrassed! They’ve seen it all before!

GroovyChick87 · 01/12/2024 09:24

Ask to see a female GP or go to a sexual health clinic. If you mean it's on the outside of your vagina ( vulva) it could be an infection of the skin. Maybe a fungal infection from sweat rash if you are not bathing every day as par for the course.

gamerchick · 01/12/2024 09:24

Go to the GUM clinic, it's their area and they're very nice.

curious79 · 01/12/2024 09:25

If you have eg chronic thrush and you’ve been scratching could be the cause of red patches. Equally could be a latent STD.
please see a doctor, a new one if need be.
your weight means you’re probably eating badly, which will aggravate any thrush

WhimsicalGubbins76 · 01/12/2024 09:26

Agree about going to the GUM a clinic, but also op, in the gentlest way, if you’re 24 stone this is very likely due to chafing and sweating.
Sweat causes all manner of horrendous itching.

MounjaroUser1233 · 01/12/2024 09:30

If you don't like your GP, you can change him. I put up with a vile misogynist GP for years; it never occurred to me that I could switch to a different surgery. Also just because he's your named GP you don't have to see him. Definitely ask for a female GP. I have done this a few times and the surgery always respects this.
Or, as others have said, go to the GUM clinic. Every time I have had to go there, the staff have been excellent. (Then change GP separately 🙂)

Sorry you're going through this, it sounds really horrible 😔 xx

mimblewimble · 01/12/2024 09:31

I'd get it checked out but my immediate thought was thrush.

GridlockonMain · 01/12/2024 09:34

please don’t be embarrassed OP - this is nothing that hasn’t happened to many people before, and you deserve care and treatment. If your GP is awful then ask to see another provider. Or, as PPs have suggested, you could visit a GUM clinic.

As you haven’t had sex for a few years I think it’s less likely to be an STI than some other cause. It could be recurrent thrush, or a fungal infection, or irritation caused by sweat. Either way you should seek a diagnosis because the treatment for some skin conditions can exacerbate others, and you don’t want to make it worse.

You deserve to be healthy and comfortable. This is a solvable problem and there are people whose job is to help you. Give yourself the gift of getting this resolved ❤️

Katemax82 · 01/12/2024 09:37

GreyLurker · 01/12/2024 09:21

Your doctor is the only one who can help you with this.

Hospital gu clinic, a female nurse can have a look

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 01/12/2024 09:41

Have you treated for thrush?

Sunshineandrainbow · 01/12/2024 09:48

Try thrush treatment as a first off.

I had an itch for years and finally went to sti clinic this year. They were so lovely, no infections but they felt I had lichen sclerosis so sent me to GP who referred me to dermatology and now I have a wonderful cream to use!

Don't leave it, my itch was absolutely awful and I am mad I left it so long.

CitiesInDust · 01/12/2024 09:51

I doubt it’s your vagina? It will make it easier to explain to us and a medical professional if you sue the right words. Vagina is the bit inside, where a tampon goes. I’d be surprised if you can see sores right in there.
Do you mean inside your labia (flaps). Or where hair grows? Not meaning to be snarky :-)

LoafofSellotape · 01/12/2024 09:57

Get some Canesten first off and see if that helps,it sounds like thrush. If it's still bad after a week you need to get medical advice,see another GP if yours isn't nice.

OpalSpirit · 01/12/2024 09:58

Itchiness can also be caused by changes in hormone levels. Could be a peri/ menopause symptom.

Could be another issue like thrush or

Think u need to accept you have to see a medical professional for this.
You can ask for a female GP/ go to a GUM clinic or if affordable pay to see a consultant.

Don’t ignore this, could be a very simple issue and solution but you need to be checked.

OpalSpirit · 01/12/2024 09:59

Sorry meant to say could be issue like thrush or Lichen sclerosus

Whatadayyyyyyy · 01/12/2024 10:00

Go to the gp, you can request to see a female doctor but you need to have it seen and the sooner the better

Dotto · 01/12/2024 10:00

It's probably thrush, you can treat it yourself, if that doesn't work, ask gp.

Doggymummar · 01/12/2024 10:04

When I was around 18stone, and a smoker I use to get lumps and swelling on my pubic mound and sometimes inside my groin. I would itch them till they were sore and bleeding. When I saw the doctor he said they were cysts caused by too much sugar, and additives in the cigarettes. I stopped smoking and they did go.

I used hot compresses on them to draw a head and I could pop them. They were very painful and hurt even to have my knickers touch them. If you don't see a doctor you can get self test kits for thrush, bacterial vagisimus or whatever it's called and different STI tests online, but there really is no stigma.

Alondra · 01/12/2024 10:04

If your doctor is awful, can you go to a sexual health clinic? You have 2 red sores in your vagina needing to be looked at by a professional, specially when this has been a persistent problem for the last couple of years.

You need a doctor.

JC03745 · 01/12/2024 10:08

As others have said, it could be a fungal infection. Ensure you dry yourself thoroughly after you bathe/shower. I also agree with finding a sexual health clinic if you don't want to see your GP.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/find-a-sexual-health-clinic/

nhs.uk

Find a sexual health clinic

Find a sexual health clinic near you.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/find-a-sexual-health-clinic

stayathomer · 01/12/2024 10:11

Get a new doctor. I was embarrassed about down there and got sorted and I honestly honestly feel it changed so much. It’s amazing not being sore, dry and itchy down there. I’d also advise to drink more water if you don’t and eat some oily foods. Best of luck op x

charlieinthehaystack · 01/12/2024 10:15

sounds like thrush, I would suggest going to a sexual health clinic as if you have been neglecting yourself you could have a sort of mot make sure all is ok, might help you feel better good luck with your journey