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?

No problem. I know gps should be aware of this x

I have some symptoms of perimenopause along with PMS, so I was started on HRT over a year ago now. It’s been a game changer for me, a night and day difference.

I also didn’t think of an antihistamine until I took it for a different purpose and realised the itching was better!

Good luck!

hi everyone! So I saw the dr today. She saw looked in my cervix and said everything looked normal. She said nothing was red, no inflammation what so ever. No discharge. She looked at my iron levels which were very low. She said that can cause it as my skin is also itching. She said let’s do some more swabs Monday and she has done an urgent referral due to my bleeding. I asked again about my partner being treated for BV and she said no that wouldn’t need doing! She also told me to get some active gels from boots. Xx

Thank you I will try them today! I suffer baddly with PMS symptoms xx

Cetraben is the emoilient sorry for delayed response. I had a steroid cream and this emoillent, be sure to wash with it, only organic panty liners - don’t use soaps. I went to a dermatologist with a specialism in vulval skin issues she diagnosed me with lichen simplex and put me on that regime for a couple of weeks it worked really well it still flares up but I keep on top of the emoilliant and only wash with it.

Did she explain why? I assume you explained it is common knowledge men harbour it and pass it on?

I am menopausal and get external vulva itching even with vaginal estrogen cream.

I think it is due to watery/odourless discharge drying on the skin. I use a barrier ointment (epaderm ointment - not the cream) after showering and it helps.

I said to her about it and she said no (abruptly) men cannot have bv. I said I know that as they don’t have vaginas but can they carry it. She said no it had nothing to do with men and Carried on talking about having my bloody done again. X

Gum clinic will give you both bv treatment x

Incredibly depressing.
I really do wonder if the NHS has a future when I hear things like this. Imagine how many reinfections these doctors are enabling, with women bearing the brunt every time. Least she could have done was look it up.

Sorry you’re experiencing this, it’s so distressing. I’ve suffered down below for years with various things. Dermal ointment has been a godsend for washing in the shower as it’s super cooling and moisturising. On dr recommendation. I also take Optibac probiotics to help with good bacteria’s after recurrent thrush. hope you get sorted xx

Did you get discharge with it or just itching?

So I’m 9 months into discomfort too OP. I’ve had the gum clinic check - all looks healthy - gp about 4 times with swabs, a gyno, 3 microbiome tests , a hysteroscopy, a trans vaginal scan and bloods and NO-ONE can tell me what’s wrong - I have thick white discharge, prickly feeling, feel grossly damp all the time, ph between 4.5 to 5, tried boric acid . I don’t know what to do. Currently started seeing a nutropath to see if she can help me. One suggestion is that my lactobacillus- the good stuff - is too high - so trying to see if I can bring that down. I only feel any relief on my period. Now also on the combined pill to see if that helps.
as you had bv in the beginning (I didn’t) I wonder if a Juno bio test or a screen me would help. They are very detailed.

Even if it isn't thrush, putting live natural yoghurt up there can really sooth it.
You could make a frozen lolly of it and put it up there, or soak it in a tampon. Just wear a liner as well. It feels really nice and calms the itch!

I’m sorry to hear you have suffered for years with these sort of issues :( I have been given a emollient to use when washing as they said my skin down below is verryyyyy dry! So I’ll keep using it, I’m just over this feeling :( I swear stress makes it’s worse. I hope you’re ok xxx

9 months?!! You poor thing :( I really hope you get some answers! It must be getting you down!

I have been given an emollient cetreban to wash in as they said my lips down below are very dry!! Xx

Thank you for this suggestion! I will give anythinf ago at this point xx

It may not cure the illness but it's good for your ph balance and feels pleasant. And its certainly not harmful. Unless you're allergic to dairy etc of course!

Definitely not allergic so I will try it tonight! Thank you! Just want this to go away! It’s driving me insane! I think my stressing over it isn’t helping x

Yeah stress is meant to be bad for vag health. I'd just go now and get yog and soak it in a tampon. The relief is extraordinary! 😀
I've had it where it's just so hot and burny and itchy. Awful! I hope it improves xxx

How long would your go on for? I will deffo add the yog 🤣🤣 I have been sooo stressed with my job etx! Xx

I've done it for a few days before. I'm not sure about using it daily forever! X

How long does the itching go on for you? Xx

I was getting itching there, I had not got round to making a GP appointment but I'd had some blood taken for other things.

It was type 2 diabetes.

Now there was no discharge, I only got the itch but apparently it is a common symptom in women.

If they are taking blood anyway ask for an HB1Ac

I'm lucky on that it hasnt ever been chronic. I get an attack, it's usually trush but sometimes not, and it goes after max a week. I just know the yoghurt soothes the burning feeling! Hope yours gets better permanently! Xx