Please help - sore, burning, swollen vagina

[embarrassingproblem1]

Ok, this is quite embarrassing but for the past week or so the inside of my vagina has got progressively more sore, it feels like it is burning inside. My labia seem to be red and swollen. I have normal discharge and no smell. I looked inside and there do seem to be some soft lumps at the entrance but I am assuming these are not connected to the burning as that feels like it is more at the back of the vagina.

I feel a bit dryer than normal down below over the past year or so but have normal, regular periods, a high sex drive and normally produce enough natural lubrication so I am not sure if this could be hormonal/perimenopausal. I am 44.

When I pee it feels hot but doesn't really sting.

I have done a course of BV treatment from Boots as I originally thought it was this but it seemed to make it worse. I have last night done a Canesten pessary and thrush treatment and this seemed to help a bit but now the burning is back.

I cannot get a GP appointment for weeks and when I call to get an appointment on the day they are always already taken.

Does anyone have a clue what this could be? I am in agony!

Sounds like VA could be starting, i got similar sounding issues as you have described when i was 47 and still getting periods. You need to get some topical oestrogen such as Vagifem, my preference and get started asap, it will get worse if left, don't be fobbed off by GP as i did!
Leave off the thrush treatment and just wash using tepid water for now.

@NK346f2849X127d8bca260 what is VA?

Sounds daft but it could be thrush. I had a sore red itchy vulva and no dodgy discharge and it was a bad case of thrush. Go to Gp.

Just worked out what it is. I'm off to the gp on Monday as this could explain my recurrent symptoms.

Do you cycle?

@minimooch what is VA?

Do you have a sexual health clinic near you? You might be able to get in there sooner and they're generally good!

Vaginal atrophy and it might not be.

I agree with the GUM clinic, it really is the best place to go for that area.

VA is vaginal atrophy (dryness) caused by a,drop in oestrogen. It mimics some of the symptoms of thrush. Can be treated with cream or pessaries. Try and see the doctor asap.

Sounds like thrush, although the one time I had it, it was also madly itchy. Live yogurt is very soothing, you can slap it on, and it will be soothing generally even if it isn’t thrush. Taking a probiotic can help too.
Have you used anything scented that you might be reacting too ? Burning and soreness can be a peri-meno symptom but if your cycle is still regular and unchanged then it probably isn’t that.

I was treated for thrush for six months by Gp before I did my own research and asked for topical estrogen, my then ‘thrush’ got better once I started the treatment for VA.
OP, vaginal atrophy can start in the peri stage, I was still getting regular periods when mine started, also got told by a female GP who was older than me that VA isn’t possible until two years post menopause, absolute rubbish!

www.menopausematters.co.uk
Lots of others on there who developed VA in the peri stage, makes me mad that GP’s fob women off, treatment is needed early on.

Have you got psoriasis? It could be genital psoriasis which presents totally differently to regular psoriasis.

Can you not get an emergency appointment with the GP? I think this would qualify for one

I've just looked online for a sexual health clinic nearby and it looks like they all need appointments unless you are under 25 and all the appointments are taken for months ahead! I am in North London, if anyone can point me in the direct of a sexual health clinic that I can either get an appointment soon or go to their drop in clinic, much appreciated!

Another thing is that I have lost a lot of weight in the past year, I have had blood tests and they are all normal. I did change my diet but not radically, just cut down on carbs etc but still eat chocolate, potatoes, bread occasionally. Have a healthy appetite. Could the weight loss be related in any way?

Hey, try Burrell Street clinic on the south side of Blackfriars bridge . It’s a GUM clinic with Saturday opening and they will see you on the day as a walk in - but it gets really busy, plan to arrive before opening and if there’s a wait they’ll put you on a list and text you about 30 min before you’re due to be seen so you can wait in a coffee shop or do some shopping.
Likely thrush but they’ll have a proper look down there and take a swab to look under a microscope on the day to see if thrush or BV.
Hopefully someone else will know a similar clinic a bit closer to you!

Sounds obvious but have you tried thrush treatment? I tend to get swollen and 'hot' rather than the classic symptoms.

I had this and it wasn't VA but vulval dermatitis. Until you get seen stop loading your fanny with stuff and wash with plain water or aqueous cream. Ask for some lidocaine gel/cream when you go to docs or Sexual Health clinic (would also recommend you go straight there).

Arghhhh I skim read and missed that you already have. I needed 3 pessaries and cream for thrush plus pro biotics afterwards.

Try a little coconut oil to soothe it. It was the only thing that helped my recent thrush

The thrush treatment seems to have worked somewhat, I am feeling about 50% better down there but still hot, not quite as sore. I did a very quick cold shower wash on my bits and that seemed to really help too.

Thanks @PinkDaffodil2 for the recommendation! Will try and go in the week as that's the only time I am child free.

@donajimena I am doing exactly that! Leaving well alone now with the exception of a cold shower which seemed to help with the heat and burning!

If you don’t fancy slapping some live yogurt on/in the er...area, then you could try Femprobio probiotics to help , from Victoria Health.

Have you changed any products lately? I get that reaction with some shower gels, scented sanitary pads, even scented or aloe vera toilet roll.

Not changed any products and never use soap/shower gel or anything scented in my nether regions, normally just use water and try to air the area when I have my period (I use tampons but only when the flow is very heavy and then switch to thin pads).