burning vulva- only when walking

[mia2201]

hello, I was wondering whether any of you experienced a smiliar issue.
I wake up happy with no itch and happily go about my day but when i walk for more than 10 minutes the enterance to my vagina and smaller labia starts to itch/burn and feel a bit dry. My discharge is completely normal, had been tested for bacteria and fungi as well as all hormones and sugar levels. it's all in check. Been examined by my gp and my skin looks healthy. Got referred to a gyneacologist but this is taking ages and I've been feeling the sensation for over two months. Tried all sorts of steroid creams, taking probiotics and completely switched my hygiene routine to maintain healthy balance down there. Why could it only bother me when I walk? please let me know if you've had smilar issues. I reckon the doctor will need to take some skin biopsies to investigate but has anyone got any other recommendations? thanks ladies- don't we have all the fun?!

Is your underwear 100% cotton, or does it have elastane in it. If the latter it can cause irritation.
Also, if you wear tight fitting underwear/trousers/jeans,try wearing looser clothing to enable better movement when walking.
And lubrication gel - try applying a little when dressing, see if that helps.

no it isn't it's 5% elastane. Could it be that i developed an allergy a few months ago? i'll invest in 100% white cotton undies. Worth trying! thank you for taking your time to reply.

When you say “completely switched hygiene routine” could it be something you’re washing with??

Hi Emma, by that I mean only e45 plain wash after the symptoms appeared :) i also stopped using any shower gels, shampoo and conditioners in the shower. Switched to super plain, soap free and fragrance free toiletries and also making sure my toilet paper is as plain as possible too. Any other suggestions or guesses more than welcome! thanks Ladies

Stop washing with anything, even fragrance free stuff??

I wouldn't wash your foof with anything other than water (unless advised otherwise by Dr).

Elastane is a man-made fibre, and most man made fabrics heat the skin more effectively than natural ones such as cotton. Plus any kind of lycra/elastane clothing tends to be a snugger/tighter fit , so when walking they may 'pull up' into the groin area, thus putting pressure on your labia.
!00% cotton doesn't have that fitted look, but its cooler.

thanks both, i'll do even less as of tomorrow- have had a lazy weekend with little walking and feeling a bit better day, I'll listen to your collective wisdom and leave my foof alone. There must be end to this!

It could possibly be vulvodynia
www.vulvalpainsociety.org/vps/

It might be vulvodynia. For some women the pain only comes in with provocation eg friction from walking or sex, or other things like cycling.

www.vulvalpainsociety.org/vps/index.php/vulval-conditions/vulvodynia

Gynae shouldn’t need to biopsy if the skin is normal on examination- it won’t add anything and is a pretty unpleasant procedure
You could try a sexual health clinic in the mean time?

@NameChange30 - snap!

Great minds

I Don't touch any e45 products with a barge pole. They REALLY irritate my skin. Could that be it?

Boots aqueous cream is good for washing the vulva area if it's sensitive or itchy.

i hope it's not vulvodynia! i'll stick to plain water for now and see how i get on. Maybe i've tried too many things by now and i just need a rest from trying to fix it. My GP has recommended the aqueous cream -is it better than e45? i guess everyone's different but maybe i just need to stop everything altogether and let the skin regenerate its natural balance...

I have eczema and when I use e45 my skin burns and feels like it is on fire. I stick to simple soap.

Yes aqueous is better than E45 and that's why your GP recommended it (and why I did too). VPS also recommend it:
"Aqueous cream is a very bland plain cream which may be used instead of soap when washing. It is best used only as a soap substitute rather than as a leave-on cream"
www.vulvalpainsociety.org/vps/index.php/vulval-conditions/vulvodynia#emulsifyingointment

i shall get some ASAP! thank you so much for your time Namechange! and everyone else, you guys are the best! i'm staying hopeful (and knickerless all weekend too haha)

one more question- shall i go with my prescription or can i just get an own brand from superdrug or waitrose? they seem to be much cheaper. thanks

The boots one I buy is £3.59 and it's sometimes on offer (3 for 2)

Just get own brand. I had this and was told it was dermatitis of the fanwar region . It did go eventually.

How old are you? I’m 46 and have been troubled by itching, largely at night. It’s horrible, I usually have to get up and wash myself with water just to be able to get sleep :(

Northernsoullover could you see any rash down there, I look pretty healthy, inflamed in the evenings sometimes. I have also been taking sitz baths in camomile and calendula infusions (bought both online in bulk and brewing 3 tablespoons of each under a cover in a big bowl and then strain before pouring into a shallow warm water bath covering my bits, sit in it for 20 minutes -it's quite soothing!)

What are you using to wash your clothes? You could try handwashing your undies in plain soap flakes see if that helps?

at the moment washing my undies in water only 60 degrees (washing machine)- even ointments wash out in plain water! was surprised