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Women's health

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Original poster

Swelling and soreness in vulva

24 replies

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 30/03/2021 21:23

I've felt this the last few weeks or more, a real soreness but it has got a little worse. Somethings I can identify that haven't helped, harsh toilet roll, too much legging time and maybe irritating shower gel, tho I don't rub and scrub or anything. It feels like a nice cool cream would help. No signs of a yeast infection in terms of discharge say. Any advice on a shower gel that won't irritate or what I can or can't use.

OP posts:
Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 30/03/2021 22:04

Anyone??

OP posts:
CalamityJaneway · 30/03/2021 23:05

Ugh I just had this too and it's bloody awful Flowers If your PH is out of whack, that'll cause soreness and inflammation rather than any particular shower gel. Therefore I'd assume thrush and treat with Canestan (at least that worked for me), but given its been a few weeks already, perhaps a call to your GP tomorrow would be a good idea to confirm? Daktarin helped, as did a good soak in the bath with no harsh products. Try wet wipes rather than scraping with sandpaper own brand loo roll. Sanex has a neutral PH but honestly anything that's not heavily perfumed or a harsh soap bar should be fine. May normal service be restored soon!

PandemicPalava · 30/03/2021 23:10

This is the way thrush presents in me too which is why I never knew I had it as the symptoms weren't itching as such, more inflammation and soreness

Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 30/03/2021 23:13

OK thank you both so much. So awful. I've gone from worrying the shower gel was irritating it to worrying that water alone was causing it. I think I'll go with canesten so tomorrow and good call on wet wipes. Fancy toilet roll coming when next in supermarket! Thanks again Flowers

OP posts:
eatsleepread · 30/03/2021 23:15

I find Sudocrem bloody brilliant for this. I just slather it on, and the swelling or itchiness end up going away really quickly.

Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 30/03/2021 23:16

Well do you know what, it was sudocrem i was imagining putting on! I think that's what my mum gave me when as a teen she found me burning myself to pieces with a ton of bicarb in a bath Blush I had read that was the solution and was too embarrassed to say anything until I had to call her up, crying in pain.

OP posts:
halfhope · 30/03/2021 23:34

When I get thrush it presents as soreness. I only get a mild discharge if I leave late to treat.

halfhope · 30/03/2021 23:35

The only other thing I can think of would be an allergy to something.

Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 30/03/2021 23:53

And I'm not using anything new so that's I unlikely.

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Apileofballyhoo · 30/03/2021 23:57

I'd also think thrush, OP. I've only ever had discharge once. Soreness and discomfort and occasional itch. Plain coconut oil is good for tonight if you have any. Just don't put loads on as it gets on your clothes/sheets. Protects from scratchy loo roll too.

Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 31/03/2021 00:03

Oh thanks yes I have some of that. Thanks so much all. The solidarity means a lot.

OP posts:
Sam231 · 31/03/2021 04:30

Hi there, around 4 years ago I started getting yeast infection every single month to an extend it started to impact on my mental health. I carried on going to doctor but no one knew why. In the end it stopped itself after a year. I then started getting a very itchy vaginal area. I had white rash on one side. Was referred to dermatologist they gave hydromol to use outside vaginal area. Nothing has changed and I’m still going through horrible itchiness one side only the right side on the top of lip and side of that lip area. Nothing internal only outer skin . 4/5 days before my period it gets worse. Dermatologist has recommended biopsy but I’m extremely scared. Has anyone had similar experiences?

Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 31/03/2021 08:21

Oh that sounds rotten. No I haven't heard of that but unfortunately women don't tend to discuss these things enough so they are kept under the radar a lot.

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Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 01/04/2021 23:15

Reporting back and having started with some sudocrem and looser clothes Blush I feel a little better but I've had a bit of a check down there and feels like the sore bit is lower again, close to where I had stiches (nearly 6 years ago) so in wondering now if it could still be thrush? I feel like sitting on ice at times it just feels uncomfortable Totally understand why you'd say your mental health is effected Sam. Is there anything I can put in a bath or just water best I wonder?

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Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 01/04/2021 23:23

The perineum, that's it! I've spent the time since posting shaking my head knowing I know the word.

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highheelsandwitcheshats · 01/04/2021 23:41

I get this occasionally.

I find Epaderm ointment works a treat in soothing the need to scratch at it. We started using it when my eldest had bad nappy rash as a HV suggested it. Used to clear up the nappy rash overnight so decided to try it myself.

Last time I had this, I also sat with an ice pack on it for 20 minutes (wrapped in a teatowel and over clothing) which seemed to bring the swelling down.

I found that keeping cotton pants on helped as if I wore just pj bottoms, the outside of my vulva would occasionally knock against my leg as I moved/sat down which was really uncomfortable. Putting pants on kept it all tucked away and reduced the contact

It's rubbish @HeyGirlHeyBoy, hope it starts to improve for you soon

Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 01/04/2021 23:47

Thanks so much. There's no itchiness just pain. I will look for that cream

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wheresmymojo · 01/04/2021 23:57

If you wanted to try some natural remedies you can try:

  • Greek yoghurt (with no added sugar)
  • Probiotics as a supplement to eat but you can also get suppositories
  • A few drops of tea tree oil in the bath
  • A bit of apple cider vinegar in the bath (about half a cup)
  • Vitamin C supplements
HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 02/04/2021 00:01

I had this, it would flare up every month around a week before my period, would be just starting to feel better when it would flare again. I thought it was thrush, it lasted months. Last year I took control of my diet and started eating less sugar and it disappeared. No flare ups since I cut down on all the junk food.

What is your diet like?

Original poster
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 02/04/2021 05:55

Mmm.. Although I get a lot of Vit C I would say at the moment it is very high in sugar unfortunately.. Thank you, that is definitely worth watching and also thanks to pp for home remedies. I'm slow to try the vinegar after the burn I got from bicarb as a teen!!

OP posts:
Sam231 · 02/04/2021 11:20

The only thing that helped me a little was hydromol ointment recommended by the dermatologist.

Sam231 · 02/04/2021 11:23

Really? You think diet can have an impact? Possibly I never thought about it really. That’s very useful to monitor . So it sounds like so many of us go through this but I am not sure I now have a white patch on one side just outer side . I wonder if that’s the reason they are asking for a biopsy . I’m so worried of having biopsy having a cut near vagina how would that look . :(

Sam231 · 02/04/2021 11:24

Thank you so much I’ll try changing diet if it makes a difference.

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