Embarrassing women’s problem

[fluff26]

NC for this as embarrassing but am a long term poster which MN can confirm.

Went on holiday a few weeks ago and took northisterone (sp?) to delay my period. Had my period when we got back all fine. Dtd with dh shortly after and had some pain which is unusual, just slightly sore.

Since then I’ve had more soreness and some itching below. No discharge or smell just a bit of discomfort which comes and goes for about a week. I wondered if perhaps taking northisterone has upset my hormones somehow and caused this. Has anyone experienced this before? It would be odd if it were an infection with no discharge and I haven’t used any different detergent etc.

If it goes on much longer I will have to go to the GP but I’d like to avoid that if possible and it isn’t horrendous just a bit annoying.

I had a nightmare with northisterone. Nothing like what you described, but I believe it messed up my periods for months afterwards. I didn’t go to the GP because I’m lazy and negligent, so I’m afraid I have no advice! Only sympathy.

Pain and irregular bleeding are symptoms to check out. Likely nothing, but be safe and ask GP

No irregular bleeding. Just delayed my period so I wasn’t bleeding while on holiday. And no pain as such just a bit of soreness and irritation. But yeah I probably should just go.

Ive used northisterone before and never had any issues but I can’t think of anything else that I’ve done differently to trigger it.

You haven’t left a tampon in have you? Just a thought.

No definitely not I don’t use them. It’s almost like the soreness you sometimes get after shaving but I haven’t shaved for ages either.

Did you go swimming/use the hot tub or use some unusual moisturising creams etc?
the skin in that area is very delicate so maybe it's simply irritated and nothing to do with the pill? Is there a visible rash or redness?

I did use the pool and swim in the sea a lot but it only really flared up a week or so after we got home, after I had my period. Maybe a bit red but otherwise looks normal. Comes and goes too so one minute I’ll feel like it’s gone and then it’ll come back.

Sounds like thrush, the hormone in norethisterone change vaginal bacteria leading to thrush

Sounds like thrush, I have a break out every summer holiday… change of temperature, different diet, less hydration etc.

Always thought thrush caused a fairly noticeable discharge but I guess it could be.

I agree it sounds exactly like what thrush feels like externally for me, but I'm not 100% sure as thrush does cause abnormal discharge too.

The soreness sounds like thrush, I usually get it after taking antibiotics and get the itch and soreness but never a discharge.

Gynae problems are not embarrassing OP - if you had an allergic reaction on your arm or leg you wouldn't be put off seeing a doctor would you? Get checked asap and put your mind to rest and get your body comfortable.

And I got thrush treatment on line for a fraction of the cost OTC. I keep some in the house now after recurrent trush from long term antibiotic use for a breast abcess - what fun women's bodies are 😂

Might pick up some canestan tomorrow then and see if it helps. Also feels better when I haven’t got pants on but can’t really do that at work!

No swelling and redness can be thrush wihtout discharge

Could be bacterial vaginosis..I had that once it was horrible

Sounds like thrush - try the canesten cream and pessary combo. Thrush doesn't always cause discharge or smell.

What age are you ? Could it be vaginal atrophy?

I got a tablet treatment that was better than Canisten - just checked and its called Flucazanole.

Agree with other mumsnetters that thrush doesn’t always cause discharge. I was plagued by thrush in first pregnancy was just extremely sore and itchy could not concentrate for the life of me. As @Endofyear mentioned the pessary / cream combo was the only thing that worked. Pretty much instant relief when the pessary was done overnight.
Hope you get some relief soon.

Interesting to read this, my DD used noristhorpe for the first time for a holiday a few weeks ago. We’ve been back about 1.5 weeks, she had her period last week and just tonight she’s sent me a picture of red / sore spots all labia, I said it was likely from shaving for the holidays but now wondering if it’s from the noristhorpe / is thrush.

We're you in and out of the pool? I got really dry skin down there when I last went on holiday and it was from being in my damp costume so much. Never happened before and I usually do the same every time I go but maybe we get more susceptible to it with age. I used aproderm 3x a day and that helped.
I would go to the sexual health clinic and get everything checked out if I was you to be on the safe side. They don't just treat STIs.

Fluconazole is the generic name for the tablet that you get with Canestan. It’s not a different drug.

OK - I just got a tablet no cream. Recommended to me by the consultant at the breast clinic who was giving me a huge dose of AB for an abscess and said Canestan was unlikely to help but I would likely get thrush. I have never used Canestan and don't normally suffer from thrush so will bow out 😊