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Women's health

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Original poster

I want to rip my vagina off!

82 replies

Imnotmeanymore3 · 31/01/2022 18:37

Hi all I need advice please!! I'm getting desperate now. This has been an ongoing issue for 3 years and I'm still no further forward. Around 3 years ago I ramdomly started to suffer soreness and itchiness down stairs a few days before my period was due and when my period came it's stopped around day 2. It happened every month at the same time. It was so sore I had to sit on ice cubes, couldn't wear underwear even walking would be uncomfortable. I was given swabs and bloods and everything seemed normal. I was given antibiotics and creams and nothing worked. I had an ultrasound and other than a few ovarian cysts couldn't see anything. They put me on the mini pill in the hope my period would stop but it didn't stop and if anything I get my periods longer now. The soreness has calmed down but Is still there and most of the time still happens before my period but sometimes would happen randomly in the month for a few days. My dp has said the days before I start to get irritated and we have intercourse he feels abit sore the next day but it only lasts a day then goes away. The way it feels now is not deep inside all of the time but kind of feels like I've had a catheter in and around the surrounding area is sore. Im absolutly out of ideas, ive had enough and the doctors doing nothing. I have another ultrasound next month to check on the cyst so im going to mention it again but everytime I do I feel fobbed off. Anyone else had this? I really can't continue it's affecting everything. I don't feel like going out when I feel this way, obviously do not want sex please help me. Thankyou

OP posts:

ButNotTonight20 · 02/02/2022 13:27

Ask for referral to vulval dermatology. Have they explored the possibility of lichen sclerosis?
After years of suffering my vulval dermatologist diagnosed me within minutes.

Original poster

Imnotmeanymore3 · 02/02/2022 13:46

@madameovary81 yes they told me it's hormonal and that's why the put me on the pill I think, and it did work for 2 months then back to this again. It's not as bad as it used to be but it's still quite bad and some months worse than others.
@ineednewshoes I had cream a while back which calmed the itch at the time but it didn't stop it. It's not as itchy sometimes more irratation than anything and sometimes burning.
@butnottonight20 I've not be given any names of anything to be honest just it's hormonal and that's it no help whatsoever I really think they don't know what it is

OP posts:

INeedNewShoes · 02/02/2022 14:25

I'd give BV-activ gel a go (you use it internally).

I had what I and the GP thought was thrush and after numerous failed thrush treatments spoke to a pharmacist who suggested this and it worked within 48h.

Ringsender2 · 02/02/2022 16:59

@INeedNewShoes @Imnotmeanymore3 BV (bacterial vaginosis, horrible name) flares up when the pH of your vagina changes. It can change due to changing hormones. This allows the 'bad' (BV) bacteria to grow because the 'good' ones don't like the different acidity. This could explain the cyclical nature of the flare ups. You can get little tubes of gel to restore harmony in your bits. Worth a try!

Woliverine · 02/02/2022 19:11

It's sounds like you're getting cyclical Vulvovaginitis. It can be due to thrush. If your cycles are pretty clockwork you could try warding it off with a thrush treatment the day or so before you predict it will start.
I had it for a while but like a previous poster had found I fell pregnant and it disappeared and has never returned.

Original poster

Imnotmeanymore3 · 02/02/2022 19:46

Before the gyno put me on the pill my periods were like clockwork but since I've been on this pill I can't really predict them. I think I might ask my gyno to take me off the pill and I'm going to ask about these conditions I've read on here and see what they say. It's been calmer today but still there. It just really gets you down. Once it dissapears I'm still nervous anything could set it off again such as sex or having a bath. I've even switched my underwear to full cotton ones. It felt so bad yesterday I had to go knickerless under my leggings. I have had it sometimes when my period comes but only normally lasts a day or 2. I noticed the pads were making it worse so I switched to tampons fully expecting them to make it 10 times worse but strangely they were better

OP posts:

KarenTheGammonRemoaner · 02/02/2022 20:15

@SummerHouse

Could it be dryness?

I saw someone online once say they took a specific bioculture that produced more wetness in their vagina. I can't remember which it was but I think it's a good idea to look into this.

KarenTheGammonRemoaner · 02/02/2022 20:17

[quote Imnotmeanymore3]@madameovary81 yes they told me it's hormonal and that's why the put me on the pill I think, and it did work for 2 months then back to this again. It's not as bad as it used to be but it's still quite bad and some months worse than others.
@ineednewshoes I had cream a while back which calmed the itch at the time but it didn't stop it. It's not as itchy sometimes more irratation than anything and sometimes burning.
@butnottonight20 I've not be given any names of anything to be honest just it's hormonal and that's it no help whatsoever I really think they don't know what it is[/quote]
That sounds like a cop out. Are you willing to go back and ask them specifically:

To explain what that means. Get your notes. Ask which hormones are involved and exaxctly what the endocrinal process is and that you want to speak to the endocrinogist who discovered the hormonal issue?

I feel this happens a lot in medicine and people just blindly trust. "it's hormonal, it's viral, it's genetic' what hormone? what virus? Which gene?

Smoke and mirrors.

KarenTheGammonRemoaner · 02/02/2022 20:18

[quote Imnotmeanymore3]@madameovary81 yes they told me it's hormonal and that's why the put me on the pill I think, and it did work for 2 months then back to this again. It's not as bad as it used to be but it's still quite bad and some months worse than others.
@ineednewshoes I had cream a while back which calmed the itch at the time but it didn't stop it. It's not as itchy sometimes more irratation than anything and sometimes burning.
@butnottonight20 I've not be given any names of anything to be honest just it's hormonal and that's it no help whatsoever I really think they don't know what it is[/quote]
So again if they don't know what it is, which seems likely, nor do they care, then exactly how have they ascertained it is hormonal?

Ask this and ask for evidence and proof and don't leave without it.

TonksInPurple · 02/02/2022 20:20

[quote GrealishHairband]I vote lichen sclerosis as well, definitely worth raising with the GP.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/lichen-sclerosus/[/quote]
I was just coming to say this too, it’s hell, I tried to start a thread in it a few months back but no takers, it’s bloody awful.

ButNotTonight20 · 02/02/2022 20:34

Definitely ask for a referral to vulval dermatology. I didn't even know it existed until finally a decent GP queried why on earth I hadn't been referred yet.

ButNotTonight20 · 02/02/2022 20:36

My LS is always worse in the first few days if my period.

Original poster

Imnotmeanymore3 · 02/02/2022 21:03

@karenthegammonremoaner yes your right. I don't understand how they say its hormonal if all my bloods came back OK, swabs were all ok, pill hasn't done anything.
I'm getting a phonecall tomorrow from the gyno regarding my last ultrasound on my cysts so I'm going to ask him then, if I feel I'm getting nowhere I will ring my gp again and demand more to be done as I feel I'm being fobbed off with anything now. I did mention it the nurse on my last pill review and she asked me to speak with the gp if the gyno hasn't done anything.

OP posts:

misssunshine4040 · 02/02/2022 21:05

@spacewitch99

Get an appointment at a sexual health clinic. I had those symptoms - was fobbed off by GP. Turned out I have lichen sclerosis. Once treatment started, not an itch since. At my last appointment was told my vulva ‘was looking great’ .... bit of a surreal moment but I was delighted after all the years of suffering and finding someone who took me seriously and diagnosed within seconds of examining me. 😁

I was going to suggest Lichen Sclerosus.

KarenTheGammonRemoaner · 02/02/2022 21:09

[quote Imnotmeanymore3]@karenthegammonremoaner yes your right. I don't understand how they say its hormonal if all my bloods came back OK, swabs were all ok, pill hasn't done anything.
I'm getting a phonecall tomorrow from the gyno regarding my last ultrasound on my cysts so I'm going to ask him then, if I feel I'm getting nowhere I will ring my gp again and demand more to be done as I feel I'm being fobbed off with anything now. I did mention it the nurse on my last pill review and she asked me to speak with the gp if the gyno hasn't done anything.[/quote]
Well it looks to me like they're fobbing you off and assuming you're not going to challenge anything. I suggest you have a specific answer you want and that should be to ascertain exactly how they reached their conclusion it was hormonal and say you wish to speak to the endocrinologist who determined this. Medicine is compartmentalised and no one but an endocrinologist would be qualified to make this assessment. Ask for the notes, the name, and a consult with him and nothing else will do. Say you will be putting it in writing, do, and say you will take it to the GMC if it's not provided.

They work for you.

Mind you this could be faced with hostility as it often is when you call medical professionals out on their bullshit.

As for your infection. Look into this probiotic Lactobacilli and perhaps try it. I would.

Secondly keep your vagina aired as much as possible, do not put any pharmaceutical or synthetic chemical products on it. Bathe in plain water and allow it to be washed out with water only. Give it time and if it's just inflammation it could begin to subside.

Applesandpears23 · 02/02/2022 21:35

I had similar and changed lots of things so I don’t know which of these worked but I am fine now. I stopped bathing and only shower. I don’t use any soap on my vulva. Used emulsifying ointment as a barrier cream to stop the skin drying out. I also switched to latex free condoms for a while and use period pants rather than disposable sanitary towels. I think mine started after treatment for thrush and was irritated red raw skin that never completely healed.

Original poster

Imnotmeanymore3 · 03/02/2022 17:17

Well gyno rang and basically said the cysts are still there but he's not too concerned so I mentioned the reason I was originally seeing the gyno and he's shocked they've not dine anything sooner and seems to have blamed alot on the cysts so he's referring me to somewhere else to be checked out for the above conditions you ladies have suggested, so again thankyou so much for your help and advice.

OP posts:

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 03/02/2022 17:21

Good news.

Hope you don't have to wait long to be seen.

Original poster

Imnotmeanymore3 · 22/04/2022 07:30

Just updating. My gp has put me on pessaries to use once a week and swapped the mini pill for combination pill and told me not to have the break for my period and continue it throughout but the irratation isn't just before periods now it's at any point. I felt OK until sex and I felt soreness around the inside of inner labia (I'm getting good at technical terms considering how much research I've done 😅) the next day wasn't too bad and then full on irratation. My dp also has irratation now aswell and says he feels swollen. I'm just had a loss I've had enough of it and too scared to have sex now. I've got an appointment to see a gyno AGAIN in May to have a talk but nothing is working and I've had enough of it I just feel so abnormal.

OP posts:

Largebutnotincharge · 22/04/2022 19:44

I'm so sorry you're still experiencing this. I make my partner sore too but we dont know what causing it. Its really weird. If we have sex when I'm feeling a bit irritated, he feels sore as soon as weve finished.

Original poster

Imnotmeanymore3 · 23/04/2022 18:02

Yes that's the same as us it's so irritating. Sorry your having issues too, it seems a few women are suffering. This has been going on for far too long and it's taken a while to get appointments so I'm writting everything down so I don't forget anything and giving it to the gyno and hope something gets done. There's nothing causing it I'm not using soaps, gels, different washing powders or anything like that. I've tried creams, pessaries and bicarb in the bath which do help slightly but doesn't stop it.

OP posts:

ParisNoir · 23/04/2022 18:04

Vaginal lasering. Seriously- look into it Nu V is a good treatment to google.

Pantsomime · 23/04/2022 18:21

OP can you take your partner along too, have sex a few days before so he flares up and you can both get looked at?

Original poster

Imnotmeanymore3 · 23/04/2022 21:12

Thankyou @ParisNoir.
@Pantsomime I actually said that the other day to dp. He only flares up for a day then back to normal but I can suffer days even a full week. Its so uncomfortable and embarrassing. I really thought it was recurring bv or yeast infection but I now really don't think it is.

OP posts:

Sadless · 29/04/2022 09:18

I have had the same for years always at Dr's thinking it a water infection having swabs done all sorts. Then one Dr's give me some steriod cream and some like vaseline to wash with. Now I don't have it as much and I can tell when it's starting so I go straight for sudocrem. It took like 10 years for me to find out its more a skin condition then being thrush or water infection.

Sal

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