Small patch of sore skin on vulva. I’m at my wits end.

[whatsnewpussycat34]

sorry for posting in AIBU but I need traffic.

Can anyone tell me if they have had anything similar to what I’m currently dealing with?

For months I’ve had a patch the size of a 5p at the top of my clitoral hood, just before the skin changes to the hairline bit, that feels like a cigarette has put out on it.

There is no real redness or irritation, unless I really stretch the skin and there are tiny red “lines” sort of under the skin. I say lines because they look a bit like graze lines, but the skin isn’t broken at all.

I’ve slathered thrush cream on for weeks without success, sudocreme, Vaseline and vagisil. Nothing works.

My GP won’t refer me to a gynaecologist because the skin doesn’t look abnormal, so there won’t be anything for them to swab or diagnose by looking at.

Im 39, still have regular 28 day periods and tested for STDs about 10 years ago when I had a gynaecological surgery. Been with DH for 15 years and no children.

Any suggestions or help greatly appreciated!

Sorry OP, that sounds miserable. It sounds a bit like vulvodynia, this website is a really good resource: www.vulvalpainsociety.org/about-vulval-pain/vulval-pain-conditions/vulvodynia/

Do you have a walk-in or self-referral GUM clinic near you? Look online. They are professional, discreet and thorough.

They deal with non-STIs as well as STIs daily.

in the past I have had herpes and it sounds a little like this. I would agree with TAC above and go to the GUM drop in at your local hospital.

So sorry you are going through this, it sounds really painful!

Have they considered lichen sclerosus? Mild cases can be difficult to see

Thanks for the comments. @WrittenThatWay vulvodynia does fit I suppose, but it’s more below the skin and not really to the touch? I’m not explaining it very well am I.

@TheAutumnalCrow @StrumpersPlunkett I don’t have a walk in but I could try and get a GUM appointment, although I’m not sure they could help as there’s nothing really to see. I did think herpes, DH gets cold sores and we have oral sex, but it’s been going on for so long now, I’d have thought any blisters would have been and gone by now.

Yes go to your local GUM and try and see a doctor there. Also look in to Lichen Sclerosis

I think the thing about GUM clinics is that they have seen more unusual bits of genital skin than the average GP, all day every day..

This could be lichen sclerosis. Please go to a guj
clinic to get a check up and ask about this it’s itchy and sore and a bit scaley

I’d ask for a referral to a vulvar dermatologist - I didn’t know this existed until I got referred to one!

We haven't had vulva/vagina thread outside General Health for a few weeks now.

Are you on the pill? I’ve never got to the bottom of it but I get similar after being on the pill for longer than 6 months. My skin gets really fragile and like a burning pain I get tiny lines like paper cuts. I stop the pill and it goes away.

I second the suspicion of lichen sclerosis. Please get second opinions

At 39, if you get the all clear from the GUM clinic, you might consider trying topical estrogen cream. Peri menopause and reduced estrogen can cause similar pain type symptoms. And yes, even when you still have completely regular periods.

Thanks everyone. I’m going to try and get a GUM appointment this week and hopefully get some answers