Itchy and a sore patch on labia, can't get a Dr appointment, what to do ?

[FlaminEck]

I am a regular, but namechanged for this (silly I know).

I have been a bit itchy 'downstairs' for a while (quite a few weeks), with a slightly sore patch in one specific place on the right side of my labia.

I've been managing it, mainly by applying a drop of tea-tree oil now and then. It isn't hugely painful/uncomfortable, but an annoyance. It doesn't prevent us having sex (and isn't any more sore afterwards). I've had thrush before, but don't think it's that. could be BV I guess.

However, it's a bit more itchy this week, and I feel like I want to pee a lot of the time (even just a few minutes after I've been), so now I'm wondering if whatever it is is getting to my bladder.
Just rung for a Dr appointment. Next available appt with our lady dr is Fri 12th . I really don't want to see our nice male dr about this.

So, do I ...
Go and get a cystisis treatment from the chemist, and use that?
Or
Go to the local GUM clinic (where at least no-one knows me, even if |I end up having to see a male medic).

BTW, I am quite sure this isn't anything sinister (not STI or anything, DH and I both utterly faithful for 17 years).

Could be thrush which has aggravated the outer area and can make you feel like you need to pee often. I know it's not the typical presentation but it can manifest itself like that.
If you don't want to get an overthecounter thrush treatment then I'd try and get an appt before 12th before seeing a doc esp as better not using topical things down there without knowing for sure what it is.
good luck

Not really sure, could be a urine infection now perhaps ? ... but make sure you drink lots and lots of water, and then drink a bit more.

Cranberry juice can help with cystitis type infections

but there aren't any appts before the 12th

Please google lichen sclerosis and see if it fits your symptoms. It is often mis-diagnosed as thrush but really needs to be treated properly to stop it progressing.

I would go to the GUM clinic, at least you can get seen quickly and hopefully help you get it sorted.

appt with the GUM clinic if no appts at gp surgery

Oh heck. I don't know. I don't think I have any visual changes, but it's not easy to be sure, even with a mirror. I have a poor sense of touch in my fingers too, so feeling for these white spots is probably no good.
No mention there of the bladder feeling tho'

Ho hum, I shall have to tidy up my lady-garden, maybe get DH to have a close look , and go to whatever Dr I can get in to see, I suppose.

Will the GUM clinic assume, erm, a certain lifestyle ??/

sorry , I'm really coy.

No they won't assume a certain lifestyle! I know what you mean - I had to go to one before when I couldn't get a doc appt but really needed some coil advice. I was a bit as there were a number of teen couple sitting in the waiting room and only me and one other woman who looked about the same age as me but when I got called in, they couldn't have been nicer and more normal and I didn't feel any stigma!
hth

The GUM clinic is there for any GU problems.. don't worry about it. It's just like going to ENT department IYKWIM.

Ditto Display's post.
It's just like going to the gp's.

Apparently "March is vulval health awareness month", I bet none of you knew that ...

And reading the Vulval Health Awareness Campaign websitehas just put the wind up me.

FlaminEck - and ask them to do a swab if they're not sure it's thrush as I've had it missed before by gp who was obviously only looking for the usual signs but a swab confirmed that was what it was (and what I'd thought it was all along).

Well, there you go! Get thee off to the clinic, take a deap breath and go. They exist for exactly these reasons.
Good luck x

sp[DEEP]