Labia red and sore on and off for months, especially after sex

[Onfire]

I’m so fed up. I feel like I’ve had on and off thrush now for months

I’m breastfeeding and I’m not too sure if this is partly to do with it as I’ve had 35 years of being thrush free and now I’m struggling to last a week of being without it

I don’t have any discharge, no smell, it’s just sore and red and occasionally itchy

It’s worse just after my period and worse after sex

DH has told me that when we have sex the tip of his penis becomes sore almost as off my vagina is irritating him

I’ve treated us both with flucanazole, and clotrimazole, I’ve been treated for BV just in case and use probiotic pessaries too. I’ve tried salt baths, I only wear cotton underwear, I always make sure I don’t get soap on the wrong bits, I reduced any sugars in my diet to see if that would help

I am otherwise a normal healthy person.

I’ve been trying to get a doctors appointment for the last few months and hoping I get one for the next week or so but I just don’t know what I can try in the mean time

It’s ruining many wed life we did have because im either scared of getting sore or im still sore from the last time

There’s nothing swollen, there’s just a patch of red where it’s sore.

Please does anyone have any ideas?

Ruined any sex life

Well from what you describe I don't think it's thrush and it's probably not linked to bf either.

Have you tried leaving it alone for a few weeks and only washing with water (anywhere I mean not just bits)

You need to go to a gynae. Don't waste time with a gp.

Have you both been tested for STI's?

It could be lichen sclerosis

Or this www.nhs.uk/conditions/lichen-planus/

@User0ne

Well from what you describe I don't think it's thrush and it's probably not linked to bf either.

Have you tried leaving it alone for a few weeks and only washing with water (anywhere I mean not just bits)

Yes and it eventually goes away and so long as I don’t get my period or have sex I’m ok.

I’m in agony right now. From a mild discomfort yesterday after having sec for the first time in a week, it’s quickly become quite sore and a bit itchy now

DH also suffering

@girlmom21

Have you both been tested for STI's?

Last time I was checked was when I went to the midwife when I was pregnant.

We have only had one previous sexual partner each and that was a long time ago

@Aquamarine1029

You need to go to a gynae. Don't waste time with a gp.

Do I ask my gp for a referral to do so?

Google vulval vestibulitis. I think it might be called something else now, but I've suffered from it for 20 years and it sounds exactly like this.

You need to see a gynecologist who specialises in vulval pain.

@Onfire I'd still get tested if the issue has arisen since you last got tested. I know it's not something you'll want to consider but it'll rule a lot out.

Hi it might be vaginal atrophy caused by breastfeeding affecting your oestrogen levels. Treated with an oestrogen pessary. Hope it gets sorted soon.

Was about to suggest what a @shade78 said, i use a cream rather than a pessary though, easier for Applying externally.

@shade78 & @Wbeezer if it’s that would it affect DH in the same way though?

Had this once and it was my boyfriend that kept reinfecting me with thrush. He had to have medication for it and then we were both sorted.

Was a long time ago and can't remember what he had to have. Both got sore after sex, so it might be he needs to get sorted.

I had this. Was coming back as thrush on swabs. In the end I was on a course of pessaries once a week for 6 months! Not saying youd need it for that long but treating it like this worked to shift it as it must have not been fully going inbetween and yes partner needs treating for 2 weeks too.

Obviously your DH wouldn't get sore because of low oestrogen but when you are your skin gets more delicate and isn't such a good barrier for infection, also micro injuries from friction could harbour bugs, its possible you have a combo of thrush and low oestrogen and DH has the thrush part... Just a suggestion, I've had pain and irritation solved by oestrogen creme three times once when i was a little girl pre puberty, once when breastfeeding and then the dreaded menopause!
But it's probably just thrush.

I was going to suggest estrogen as well. I’ve had similar and the increased fragility of the skin, as well as being painful in itself, also meant sex caused micro-injuries that seemed to trigger thrush again and again after a lifetime of never having it. It was awful.

Topical estrogen was a godsend! Do keep it in mind

I had recurrent thrush in the first year of my eldest's life (wasn't bf though). I was given oral antifungal medication. Mainly coming on here to point out that you should check very carefully whether any creams and medication interact with/ affect your contraception! GPs are terribly at mentioning this IME

Thanks so much everyone

Can I buy the waste oven cream without prescription?

It takes me so long to get an appointment to see gp I’m willing to try anything

I have the copper coil so that’s contraception sorted for now

But I’ve bought condoms to use until I can get this sorted for good to stop the chance of it going back and forth between us

I have a private healthcare plan which gives me online gp appointments which I can sort for Monday but I’m worried with something like this they will need to see me in person and then it’s not so convenient and will be another wait if so

It's prescription only.