Has anybody seen my clitoris??

[mysteryoftheshrinkingclitoris]

I've had problems on and off for years with itchy vulva, not thrush or BV, no discharge or obvious reason for it, so I've always put it down to perspiration, shower gel, sanitary products or a combo of all the above. Doctors never seem too interested so have given up asking.

But...for the past few months the itching has been dreadful to the point I draw blood. And now the most alarming symptom! I thought my vulva was swollen and therefore my clitoris seemed smaller but actually to my horror it seems to be shrinking! WTAF!! Is it a "use it or lose it" situation, can I restore it to its former glory by paying it more attention? As you can imagine, the itchy fanjo isn't conducive to sex so DH and I barely manage once a week at best.

I've ordered a Satisfyer and some Dr Wolff cream to see if I can get things back to normal. Any other advice? Is it time to get hormone tests, to see if I need HRT or something?

Name changed for this one...

You definitely need to speak to your GP! The itchiness could be dermatological so I would ask for a referral to dermatology. The shrinking clit sounds hormonal maybe ??

You need a topical HRT cream from the GP, sorted out my itchy vulva problem and perked the whole area up (i felt it Less getting a bit less responsive IYWIM).
I have also read that there is an element of "use it or lose it" too and you should indulge in "activities" that stimulate blood flow to the area.

That could very well be hormonal and might improve with an oestrogen cream. Ordinary moisturisers won't cut it. Ask your GP for Ovestin. Don't worry they won't examine you, just tell them the symptoms.

I've had two creams: Estriol and Oestrin.
They contain Estradiol, a mild form of Oestrogen.

Typo, i have Ovestin.

Itchiness to the point of bleeding around the vulva plus your age could mean lichen sclerosus - I'd ask your GP about it as well as possible hormonal causes (friend of mine had it, it sounded awful) www.nhs.uk/conditions/lichen-sclerosus/

Oh thank you all, I wasn't expecting so many replies. Yes exexpat, I thought maybe lichen sclerosis too, but there are no white patches which are apparently usual with it? Plus I've genuinely had this itching on and off for years, been to the doctor a couple of times but just in the last year or so it seems worse. I have gained gained a lot of weight over the pandemic and that combined with the itch hasn't helped the libido.

@mysteryoftheshrinkingclitoris just seen your thread and wanted to reply. I had the itching thing and felt that everything seemed to be shrinking or paper thin. I also had some shiny grey skin on the inside of my labia. The itching and soreness was just getting worse and worse, I assumed it was a menopause thing but I woke up one day and realised I’d almost shredded myself in my sleep I was so uncomfortable and decided I just couldn’t cope with it any longer.

I contacted my GP who saw me very quickly. She examined me and said it was atrophy, quite possibly lichen sclerosis and maybe even an infection just to add to it all. She totally agreed I couldn’t carry on like that and prescribed Vagifem, Ovestin, Dermovate, fluconazole and antibiotics.

I started immediately with antibiotics abd fluconazole to treat any yeast or bacterial infection and then started everything else.

Within just a few weeks I was feeling so much better and it made a huge difference to my quality of life. Now I use Vagifem and Ovestin twice a week (and always will), I always have Dermovate cream available in case I have a flare up of itchy skin and I use Yes water based lubricant.

I’m so glad my GP could see the state i was in. It’s not cured, I am menopausal and it’s not like it was before. The skin is definitely more fragile and less plump but it’s so much better and the idea of sex doesn’t make me want to hide any more.