Lady bits problems! 😔

[K1995]

Hi sorry if TMI, I know no one can diagnose me but I’m a little worried. So for a few months now I’ve been struggling with itching and extreme soreness down below especially when emptying my bladder. I’ve been checked for an uti, thrush, BV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, Trichomoniasis, HIV and all have came back negative! Is there anything else to check for? Not that I want there to be anything wrong, just with my symptoms it’s really getting me down! Thanks

Google vaginal atrophy and look into internal oestrogen creams (Ovestin / Vagifem).

Is it constant or does it come and go?

It was constant for quite a while, but it’s starting to be a thing where I be ok for like a few days and then it will flare up the next!

Op do you have access to a GUM clinic near you?

I'm not suggesting it's an STI - but the doctors you see there are likely to gynae so will be much more familiar with problems that can effect the area. They might be able to diagnose a skin condition that you gp has missed for example.

@K1995

It was constant for quite a while, but it’s starting to be a thing where I be ok for like a few days and then it will flare up the next!

Does it occur mid-cycle and around your period? If so, consider autoimmune progesterone dermatitis. Many doctors have not heard of it. It's not that common.

I get similar, OP, and am 51 so am starting to think it's menopause related. I've given up trying to see our GP though. As an immediate relief, I find Dr Wolff vagisan cream really helps.... I use a layer at night and it really soothes it.

You can also use lidocaine cream just for numbing...... think it's called Vagisil cream?

It won't treat the cause but it treats the symptoms.

I wonder if it's something like vulvodynia or lichen schlerosus.
vulvalpainsociety.org/about-vulval-pain/vulval-pain-conditions/

Ask your GP for a referral to gynaecology or sometimes dermatology has vulval clinics.

Thankyou all for your responses! ☺️ I’ve been to the sexual health clinic hence how I’ve managed to test negative for most STI’s, I avoided the GP as there was no appointments for at least 2 months+ But it was nice to ask on here and get a few suggestions. I will look into the creams you have suggested and some of the conditions you have also mentioned. I think it might have to be a GP trip, of course they are the only ones they can diagnosis but at least I can have a little heads up beforehand! Thanks all!

You’ve ruled out so much that I wonder if it might be skin irritation as the vulva area is very sensitive. Make sure you have checked

• that you wear 100% cotton knickers, no thongs as they transport bacteria from anus to vagina causing inflammation
• that you don’t use bath bombs, bubble bath or perfumed soap down there
• no scented sanitary towels
• no talcum powder or perfumed body powders down there
• if you use any sex toys that they are cleaned thoroughly after each use

Have a look at lichen simplex chronicus. It's not a condition, it's an effect of itching (which may have been caused by a previous condition like thrush ). The skin becomes 'leatherised' from scratching and leads to more itching, it's a vicious cycle. A prescription for some kind of topical steroid treatment can help.

Could also be eczema. You need a dermatologist referral as a PP has said.

Get some vangisal and some femfresh moisture wash ! I’m like this I can’t use any fabric softner or any soaps bath bombs with anything in. Mine was sooo bad but I’ve now been nearly a year ok. I hope this helps

I'd also suggest peri menopause. Since I've been on hrt I've felt so much better and a huge improvement in the itchy, dry, sore vulval area.

Are you using non biological soap powder/detergent? Using loo roll with moisturisers in it?

I was having problems after a bout of thrush. It just didn't go back to normal - kept thinking it was recurrent UTI or more thrush especially as I swim everyday. In the end I think everything was just out of whack. Started taking a probiotic for women- prov- ven lactobacillus with cranberry is the one I found. I take it twice a day with a slug of kefir- and it has cleared up. Hormone stuff could be part of it. GP appointment probably needed unfortunately.

Have you ruled out diabetes? Can cause intense vaginal itching.

Go back to the sexual health clinic. Any problems within that area they can test and give treatment often on the spot .
I suffer with recurring thrush /bv ,often at sametime and they have been really helpful .

Could be mycoplasma/ureaplasma nhs doesn’t normally test for it

Thankyou all for your help appreciate it! I’ve booked a GP appointment in the end to try and get this sorted. 🤗

Experiment with yeast, give it up for a week and see if it makes an improvement, this can make me itchy if I eat too much bready stuff

Genital psoriasis ?

I developed a patch of localised excema in that area. Mis-diagnosed as thrush for years. Because there's always a wee bit of thrush there anyway for them to keep finding. Then a doc finally spotted that it was an external skin issue that had just gotten worse by scratching and flaring up. They prescribed Betnovate ointment and that fixed it. The relief was amazing.

I've read all the threads and several in posts before. It keeps coming back (if it's not thrush) to Lichen sclerosis. Check it out on line. To confirm a diagnosis you will need to have a biopsy, and then it's down to finding a treatment that works for you. Good luck. If your GP isn't that helpful ask to be referred to a dermatologist.

I had this when I was a much younger woman. Had all the tests but all negative.

Stopped washing my knickers in my usual washing powder & used Persil sensitive or a liquid soap for wool.
Within two days, problem gone!
Try that.

@EmpressCixi

You’ve ruled out so much that I wonder if it might be skin irritation as the vulva area is very sensitive. Make sure you have checked

• that you wear 100% cotton knickers, no thongs as they transport bacteria from anus to vagina causing inflammation
• that you don’t use bath bombs, bubble bath or perfumed soap down there
• no scented sanitary towels
• no talcum powder or perfumed body powders down there
• if you use any sex toys that they are cleaned thoroughly after each use

I had issues in the same area for a few years, many visits to GPs, Gynaes and dermatologists failed to diagnose, cortisone creams didn’t help. Eventually I figured out that it was an allergy to my washing powder even though it was Fairy non-bio and was only affecting the vulva, no other skin. So now after washing I run my trousers and underwear on a short cycle with no detergent and that works for me. For me it seemed to start after a routine smear test, I think I had some kind of reaction to the lube used which caused the skin in the area to become more sensitive.

In addition to the measures in the quoted post make sure you’re not using any products on the affected area, only wash with water. Wash the area with water ASAP after intercourse or after any examination where lube is used - just the vulva, no douching.

Hope you get an answer soon, I know how frustrating it is.