Persistent vulval itching and soreness despite BV treatment and negative swabs

[Starrrz]

So! I started getting itching down below, more discharge.. my lips done below the skin feels irratated! I’ve been with my partner for about 16 years.
3 weeks after my symptoms I had swabs sti’s - negative , thrush -negative strep b - negative. My BV was postive! I had antibiotics for 7 days and I’m still sore down below! I was also on antibiotics for a UTI at the same time.
why would this be happeneing even though I had antibiotics? I do get itchy down below before a period every month! I’ve had a polyp on my uterus which I’m not sure if this is affecting my hormones. I have endo and adenomyosis also! Not sure what else to do 😩 I’m due in 3 days and it’s really itching again. My skin down below feels like it it has been inflamed.
the dr gave me a very weak steriods cream which kind of helps.
she said it all really normal down below, abit of redness that’s it. This is driving me insane.
any advice?

I did change our washing conditioner before this happened. So this could be the cause also? I have changed back to our normal one now because it was out of stock that’s why I got the nice smelling one xx

No I didn’t have symptoms for 6 months but had thrush more than 4 times in the previous 12 months so GP went with NHS advice for persistent thrush, I haven’t had an issue since like a month into the treatment.

I thought I was perimenopausal, or had lichen sclerosis or something equally horrid. Constant itching and burning, scaly sore cracking skin.

Turned out to be the loo paper! I was using coconut loo roll and apparently I'm allergic to it.

Are you using any sort of scented / balm / oil loo paper, wipes, pads, liners, anything at all?

I could barely walk by the time I figured it out, it was constant pain and burning.

Thank you so much! I will do this and ring tomorrow morning if they are open :) thank you for your advice and help :) x

I don’t use coconut one but it is a scented one because when I was into our bathroom I get this smell which smells really good but it’s our toilet roll! I’m gonna change it! I wanna try everything xx

Before my period it definitely happens. Can be intense! I will add this on my lift for my appt tomorrow so I will be also adding this to my list. Thank you :) x

That might be it - if it's giving you eczema or dermatitis then the steroid cream would help so that makes sense.

I think allegies too if i use stain remover and any knickers in that wash load i get bv x

I also used a washing machine cleaner tablets that didn’t work correctly. I didn’t realise the tablet was still in there and it washed my washing with it to. It could be one of so many things I guess. I will try one thing at a time to know. I will book the clinic to rule anything out then I’m changing my toilet rolls as they are sceneted and go from there :) xx

The steriod cream has definitely helped it when I use it xx

Scented loo rolls are known to cause problems down below

A lot of people keep diaries for long term health problems

Op, i used to get BV and it's literally disappeared since I started taking vaginal probiotics - i take the Optibac type. I started off with 2 tablets per day then reduced to 1. Stopped for a while and noticed a difference quickly! May be worth a try

Have you tried using canesten cream to soothe it, use a pecesary and taking fluconazole? It does sound like it could be recurrent thrush. Especially as you’ve taken anti biotics.

That is likely contact dermatitis not BV, or rather you are getting repeated BV from your partner if he isn't treated when you find you have it each time.

Jeez I am honestly floored how few people know about this being spread by men, including supposed HCP. It did make front page news, was on BBC etc.

Please, if her partner doesn't get treated she is just repeatedly going to get BV and taking so many medications is pointless if she doesn't get her partner treated as well. That goes for every woman on here who has had BV and not had their partner treated, it will come back.

Im single. I just use bvgel and it goes

OK, that would work, sorry I thought you mentioned a husband but admittedly I skim read posts other than the OPs. Just be aware if you get it, the man you are seeing gave it to you and you need to get him clear before it will go away. More women need to know this as it is often seen as a "woman's issue" when we have little to do with it being passed around.

I feel your pain. I have exactly the same itching issue, only between ovulation and actually coming on my period and it seems to clear up almost immediately afterwards. I too had antibiotics, thrush treatments, BV treatments and nothing helped. I had multiple tests done and they could not find an issue. I was given a steroid cream which sometimes took the edge off but not always.

I am 32 and on HRT (full estrogen, progesterone and testosterone regime)

I have found taking an antihistamine daily helped me, but only a certain one. I tried quite literally every different antihistamine and the best one for me personally is Cetirizine Hydrochloride.

I’ve actually had a hysteroscopy and vulval biopsy done today to investigate this issue!

Buy supermarket own brand antihistamines to keep the cost down and give them a try, got to be worth a go!

Edited to add; my gynae that I saw today has prescribed me some estrogen cream to apply directly to the area, to use alongside my estrogen patches.

@DD0 sorry to hear your are getting this also !

can I ask how come you are on hrt? Is it due to your symptoms?

I’m waiting for my appt with my gynaecologist but the wait is insaneee😩😩😩

I will try an antihistamine for sure! Didnt think of that, thank you! Xx

I have had this its lichen simplex. It’s basically a type of eczema. You need to have a consistent programme with the steroids and a emoillant cream for a couple of weeks to get it under control - ask for a referral to a dermatologist or go privately. Do not use soap to wash, I use cetraben to wash down there.

use only organic cotton panty liners.

No scents or anything it could be the loo roll! It could be urine etc.

I can’t beleieve GP’s are saying men can’t get this. Its a bacterium so surely they can. I’ve been googling and you are correct! The men can carry it ! X

What emollliant shall I ask my gp? X

I had similar and GP diagnosed lichen sclerosus which I manage with moisturiser & steroid cream