Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Menopause

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

What is causing this burning

65 replies

Kizzyma · 28/12/2024 20:26

I’m literally in agony with vaginal/anal burning . I’ve gone through the menopause and suffered with vaginal atrophy before so took hormone pessaries for about a week . When I was still in pain I went to the doctor . She said it was Vulvitis and gave me steroid cream . I’ve been using it for five days and the burning has got worse . The doctor isn’t open until Monday so I thought I would use some canesten - just in case it’s thrush . Now I’m in agony - it burns so much I’m shaking . I’m not going to be able to to sleep tonight and have no idea what’s wrong . Has anyone experienced this . No discharge or itching . Just severe burning .

OP posts:
Original poster
Kizzyma · 29/12/2024 11:07

Kitkat1523 · 29/12/2024 10:24

Keep on the vaginal estrogen…..never use anything topical for thrush, only oral….take a daily probiotic…..pay for a vaginal screening….I had a strain of thrush not normally detected by nhs testing….it required a different treatment …..the screening will also show your good and bad bacteria….so a starting point for managing this

Will do . I think I’m going to have to pay for a private gynaecologist as I’m not sure I trust the GP’s anymore

OP posts:
foxandbee · 29/12/2024 11:08

Vaseline might help a bit.

justasking111 · 29/12/2024 12:43

On another thread a mumsnetter said to go to a sexual health clinic because they've seen everything. So I googled in my area we used to have a clinic which was demolished for a car showroom. Guess what. We now have no clinics in our part of Wales apart from a department in a hospital which is in the middle of nowhere and isn't a drop in anymore you have to jump through hoops to get an appointment. I'm guessing Wales is virgins or bugger off.

YesExactlyYes · 29/12/2024 12:50

foxandbee · 29/12/2024 11:08

Vaseline might help a bit.

Be wary with this, vaseline (and E45) cause me agony on sore skin.

Purplecatshopaholic · 29/12/2024 12:54

I’ve had this, god it was miserable. I got a cool mat you chill in the fridge to sit on, and took a fluconazole tablet (get it from your gp, but it’s also available online). The fluconazole was absolutely fabulous! Solved the problem really quickly. I use zeroderm cream down there to wash and keep the area moisturised. Good luck op, I remember how fuckin horrible it was!

foxandbee · 29/12/2024 12:56

YesExactlyYes · 29/12/2024 12:50

Be wary with this, vaseline (and E45) cause me agony on sore skin.

Show quote history

Ouch! It really worked for me when I had soreness, stopped the awful burning, but I guess we are all different and it depends on what exactly is causing OP's issue.

YesExactlyYes · 29/12/2024 12:58

foxandbee · 29/12/2024 12:56

Ouch! It really worked for me when I had soreness, stopped the awful burning, but I guess we are all different and it depends on what exactly is causing OP's issue.

Edited
Show quote history

Yes, not saying OP shouldn't try but do a small patch in the first instance.

Turmerictolly · 29/12/2024 13:03

If you're shaking, call 111 for advice as this can be an early sign of an infection. Keep an eye on your temperature.

Valhalla17 · 29/12/2024 13:09

I would try a vinegar bath. I had an awful time with an eczema type rash down there one year and it brought a lot of relief. Stings like mad getting for a few mins, but great for the burning and itch.

dazzlingdeborahrose · 29/12/2024 13:14

Have you been tested for diabetes? I suffered with terrible itching/burning for months. Convinced it was menopause related. Spent a fortune on oils, creams and pessaries. Changed my gels, soaps washing powders. Nothing made a difference. Then I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Bit of a shocker but within 3 weeks of changing my diet every symptom was gone. Diabetic nurse said it's actually a very common symptom. Funnily enough looking at all the symptoms I had which were attributed to menopause about half could actually be attributed to diabetes.

Original poster
Kizzyma · 29/12/2024 13:44

GentleSquid · 29/12/2024 10:20

Advanced practitioner here. Vulvitis just means inflammation of the vulva, and doesn’t indicate the cause. It could be an infection (don’t panic I dont mean STI!) or localised reaction to something as yet unknown. I’d be tempted to treat it as thrush in the meantime and request a swab. Steroid cream would worsen thrush. So stop if not helped. You can buy fluconazole 150mg oral capsule to treat thrush in the meantime, as it is severe repeat the dose in 3 days or get a longer dosage schedule from GP. I say treat straight away as swabs take a few days and it sounds like you are very uncomfortable.

also - you must completely stop using soap, bubble bath shower gel to wash. Just use plain water or unscented moisturiser if you want a soap substitute. Pat dry gently, don’t rub. It looks odd and avoid doing in the gym changing rooms :D but you can use a hairdryer on cool to dry the vulval and perineal skin before dressing. No (or loose cotton) knickers, avoid jeans and leggings for now.

The other thing to consider as a diagnosis as you say it is burning is nerve pain (vulvodynia) but this would be after skin infections and skin conditions are ruled out. This needs different oral treatments. And the fact the doctor called it vulvitis makes me think they saw something inflamed on examination.

hope you get some relief it’s miserable

Thank you so much . Had a thrush pessary last night and just taken an oral tablet . Will stop with the steroid cream and hoping I can get an appointment tomorrow. The frozen peas are my only saviour at the moment

OP posts:
Original poster
Kizzyma · 29/12/2024 13:45

dazzlingdeborahrose · 29/12/2024 13:14

Have you been tested for diabetes? I suffered with terrible itching/burning for months. Convinced it was menopause related. Spent a fortune on oils, creams and pessaries. Changed my gels, soaps washing powders. Nothing made a difference. Then I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Bit of a shocker but within 3 weeks of changing my diet every symptom was gone. Diabetic nurse said it's actually a very common symptom. Funnily enough looking at all the symptoms I had which were attributed to menopause about half could actually be attributed to diabetes.

No never . That’s very interesting thank you

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 30/12/2024 12:58

Epaderm, in the tub, about £6 for a small tub, is great for a soothing barrier cream and for washing. The cream in the tube isn't the same thing, it is just a handcream.

JinglingSpringbells · 30/12/2024 15:27

@Kizzyma The reason that diabetes can cause burning etc is that the glucose in the urine makes the skin sore and can also create thrush. You'd normally have other signs like extreme thirst, lots of weeing, feeling tired, etc.
If you feel at risk or a have a family history of diabetes, ask your GP for a fasting blood test. You can buy OTC kits but they aren't quite so accurate or there are Libre patches to monitor your blood sugar via an app, but they are expensive.

TotemPolly · 30/12/2024 15:32

If you've got atrophy / dryness and said you took hormonal pessaries for a week . Why just a week ?
You normally have it nightly for 2 weeks as a loading dose then twice a week ongoing.
Surprised you had them for so short a time . Was it Vagifem ?
With pessary use , stop taking them and the symptoms come back . Burning can be one of them .

Girasole02 · 30/12/2024 15:39

Dr gave me oestrogen cream to insert and epiderm ointment to apply. Seems to work for me. (You can get both over the counter)

Original poster
Kizzyma · 30/12/2024 16:49

TotemPolly · 30/12/2024 15:32

If you've got atrophy / dryness and said you took hormonal pessaries for a week . Why just a week ?
You normally have it nightly for 2 weeks as a loading dose then twice a week ongoing.
Surprised you had them for so short a time . Was it Vagifem ?
With pessary use , stop taking them and the symptoms come back . Burning can be one of them .

I stopped because the symptoms became unbearable and the dr didn’t think it was due to atrophy . Went back today and I have been given antibiotics to try as nothing else has worked

OP posts:
Kitkat1523 · 30/12/2024 18:00

Kizzyma · 30/12/2024 16:49

I stopped because the symptoms became unbearable and the dr didn’t think it was due to atrophy . Went back today and I have been given antibiotics to try as nothing else has worked

Show quote history

I had a urine infection which caused horrific vulva pain….the uti didn’t show in nhs testing……on the private urine screening it showed klebisella bacteria…,,I had to go private as nhs will only prescribe a week or 2 max for antibiotics….I took Abx for 2 months which cleared the infection and the vulva pain and burning disappeared

JinglingSpringbells · 30/12/2024 18:20

Your GP shouldnt prescribe antibiotics unless there is evidence of an infection. There is a lot of guidance now on not giving out ABs as they increase resistance. If you have an inflamed vulva, due to loss of estrogen, ABs aren't going to do anything.

If you have thrush, they will make it worse.

It's common (but not nice) to have some soreness when using vaginal estrogen and this takes time to wear off, once your skin thickens. It's a slow process where the skin changes back to its normal healthy self.

The best thing to do, in all honesty, is to use a tiny amount of Ovestin cream and persevere. Yes, it does sting but it should soon improve.

Vagifem is stronger which is perhaps why it made you so sore.

There are also several other types of vaginal creams etc that are even weaker than Ovestin. One is called Gynest (and it 10 times weaker) and the other is Blissell gel. Both are worth trying.

If your GP isn't familiar with this, can you see a different dr?

Original poster
Kizzyma · 30/12/2024 18:22

Kitkat1523 · 30/12/2024 18:00

I had a urine infection which caused horrific vulva pain….the uti didn’t show in nhs testing……on the private urine screening it showed klebisella bacteria…,,I had to go private as nhs will only prescribe a week or 2 max for antibiotics….I took Abx for 2 months which cleared the infection and the vulva pain and burning disappeared

Show quote history

That sounds horrific . I’m glad you are out of pain now

OP posts:
Original poster
Kizzyma · 30/12/2024 18:25

JinglingSpringbells · 30/12/2024 18:20

Your GP shouldnt prescribe antibiotics unless there is evidence of an infection. There is a lot of guidance now on not giving out ABs as they increase resistance. If you have an inflamed vulva, due to loss of estrogen, ABs aren't going to do anything.

If you have thrush, they will make it worse.

It's common (but not nice) to have some soreness when using vaginal estrogen and this takes time to wear off, once your skin thickens. It's a slow process where the skin changes back to its normal healthy self.

The best thing to do, in all honesty, is to use a tiny amount of Ovestin cream and persevere. Yes, it does sting but it should soon improve.

Vagifem is stronger which is perhaps why it made you so sore.

There are also several other types of vaginal creams etc that are even weaker than Ovestin. One is called Gynest (and it 10 times weaker) and the other is Blissell gel. Both are worth trying.

If your GP isn't familiar with this, can you see a different dr?

Edited

Thank you , I will still persevere with the cream . I think he gave me antibiotics just in case as the redness and burning has spread down to my bottom and he’s not sure it’s from lack of hormone

OP posts:
Shityshitybangbang · 30/12/2024 18:25

I have had this with surgical menopause after my oopherectomy. It’s a horrible itch. I’m thinking of trying HRT. Which I said I wouldn’t. Achy joints. Itch.

Jinglebe · 04/01/2025 20:06

Hope you’re feeling better OP.
Did you get a diagnosis? I’ve got a similar (milder) thing going on.

Original poster
Kizzyma · 05/01/2025 06:26

Jinglebe · 04/01/2025 20:06

Hope you’re feeling better OP.
Did you get a diagnosis? I’ve got a similar (milder) thing going on.

i went to a private GP in the end and she’s pretty sure it’s vaginal atrophy. I’m on hormone pessaries, a barrier cream every time I go to the toilet and a steroid cream . I’ve also got vaginal moisturiser. There is nothing more I can do than wait for it to get better and it can take a long time . I’ve got to go back to work tomorrow which I’m dreading . I hope you get some relief soon x

OP posts:
Jinglebe · 05/01/2025 17:23

Thanks for taking the time @Kizzyma and hope things get better for you very soon.