Sore vulva and miserable.

[Strawberrydelight55]

After 3 years of awful periods that ended in a blood transfusion I had a mirena coil inserted in early March. Its cured the horrible periods but just days after it was inserted my vulva began to split , go red raw and itch. I'm awaiting swabs in 2 weeks as Dr wants that done first. Its spread around to my bum! I have two sore splits down my inner leg where my pants sit. I have a split down each side of the bit under the pubic bone. I've tried thrush creams. Thrush pessary. Sudocrem. Aloe Vera gel. I just started caneflore oessaries 2 nights ago.

Currently sat at the park with My son.y he walk was so uncomfortable. It feels like the sores are getting caught on my clothing.

I've just split up from a stressful relationship too and I've got little psoairiasis patches on my neck and chest developing.

So upset as it feels like I may be stuck in this discomfort now and it's knocked my self confidence. I got myself some dresses for summer and was going to be more positive thus year and now I've got horrible skin.

Any advice.

Oh, that sounds so painful and awkward. I'm sorry to hear it. I get psoriasis from stress and I put some over the counter hydrocortisone on it and it heals,up in no time.

I hope you get sorted soon. 💐

If you have plaque psoriasis elsewhere it could be inverse psoriasis down there. (You can get it anywhere there are "folds" e.g. underbust). From painful experience Drapolene is a really effective nappy cream for immediate soothing. But do ask for a dermatologist referral. Inverse is just awfully uncomfortable.

I have dermatitis there and it's horrible. I am prescribed hydrocortisone cream which really helps.

I agree with hydrocortisone recommendations to promote the healing. You can also get one that is combined with Canesten (clotrimazole) if a yeast infection is suspected to be the cause.

I read about getting psoriasis down there which would end up being long term wouldn't it? I am in no rush to meet anyone right now but I am scared I'll not be able to have a relationship again if this doesn't go. I'm going to buy some hydrocortisone now. Can I use it on my external skin down there.

I can't believe this has happened to me now. It's just the most uncomfortable experience.

I'm not medically trained, but yes, I would use on the external areas. I've used the combined Canesten cream on very sore anus, as prescribed to me due to bowel disease. Also just hydrocortisone on split skin in the same area.

Apply sparingly and only for up to a week or so. Hopefully you will have heard back from GP by then anyway.

Def not a medic... Or a quack.. Make up a jug of green tea. When it's cooked down use the tea bag to dab away. Keep in the fridge (bin tea bag!) use cotton pad next time.

Clotrimazole is brilliant for this. Just don't use it for too long as hydrocortisone can thin the skin, which makes it more prone to splitting.

Thank you all. Its making me miserable. I've just ordered some.

When I suggested hydrocortisone, I was just thinking of the psoriasis on your neck and chest. I'm not sure around your vulva. If thrush creams didn't work, Clotrimazole probably won't work either.
I have dermatitis in my ears. And I mix Clotrimazole and hydrocortisone. When you wash, make sure you use a unscented wash, like cerave or E45. And try an anti-fungal talc.

Could it be lichen sclerosis ?

Do try to get a referral to a dermatologist to examine you and rule out things like Lichen scelrosis, which is an auto immune condition brought on, amongst other things, by stress. In the meantime you could try Betnovate , or what I use to control the itch, after trying many things, is Germaloids. It has Lidocaine in it which deadens the itch. My vulva is so inflammed it feels like it's down to my knees. I go commando as often as possible but only in a long skirt!!

I get genital psoriasis and it's isn't long term it can come and go. Haven't had a flare for about 5 years now. It certainly sounds like it's worth asking about at the very least. The only consistent psoriasis I have is my knees and elbows, the rest of my body gets flare ups here and there but never long term.

Do you think you might be allergic to the coil? Doctors are loathe to remove them, but it's outrageous you should be left in such discomfort to 'wait and see'.

@Strawberrydelight55 I’m not a medic but have vulval eczema. I just wanted to say I’ve been told by a professor at hospital that using hydrocortisone in that area is unlikely to cause me any issues until I’m a very old lady! So if this helps your symptoms I imagine you’d be fine to use it while waiting for a diagnosis. It’s in the treatment plan for managing my eczema and is actually one the weakest topical steroids. Hope you get some relief very soon - it’s miserable being sore down there.

Thank you.. coil seems great other than this. Its changed my life in terms of stopping me pouring. I feel well enough to work again etc.

I have read all your tips and I will look into all suggestions.

I'll perhaps try the hydrocortisone in the leg crease. It doesn't look like lichen sclerosis. It's sort of just red raw. No white patches.

I'll definitely see what the nurse says and the Dr next week. It's certainly not something I want to put up with long term. Think I'd rather have the bad periods.

I have genital psoriasis and it's exactly as you describe. I also have it in between my butt cheeks... doctor prescribes me dovobet which is quite strong but it works quick and stops the itch.
Stress and illness cause flares and with me sometimes before my period it flares a bit. Go and see your gp they'll prescribe you something for it. Also get some emollient and wash with that, then use the cream, no soap or bath products while you're in a flare it worsens it.

I get symptoms like this if I forget to use my topical oestrogen regularly — for ages I thought it was thrush, but it isn’t, it seems to be hormonal.

In my case the underlying issue is perimenopause (I’m late forties), but assuming you are younger, I wonder if it could be related to having started the Mirena? Pure speculation but just wanted to mention it as an outside possibility.

In any case, sending sympathy, it’s awfully difficult to cope with as a chronic issue

And fwiw, when it flares I use Dermol lotion to wash, which seems to result in less discomfort afterwards than using plain water.

I second using dermol to wash, I get it on prescription. Also, I was prescribed trimovate cream for my genital eczema. There were supply issues for a while and I got a different cream in the interim. I've not needed it for a while. But trimovate was like an actual godsend. I cried when it went out of stock

Flexural or inverse psoriasis is the pits.

You can use a prescription steroid ointment to get it under control and then switch to a gentle bath (although psoriderm stings at first, it does kill the burning) and emollient after the initial healing, with the occasional steroid application at the first sign of an itch or burn on an ongoing basis.

Practical things are-

Clip any hair to about one third to half an inch, no shorter or longer. Absolutely no waxing or shaving.

Full coverage knickers in very soft synthetic. Wicking running leggings are also far gentler on the area than cotton ones. You don't want to sweat.

Commando at night.

Avoid tights that don't fit you perfectly. Shorts can be OK, but be prepared to change as soon as you get home.

Pat dry with a towel and let it finish off airdrying before applying ointment or emollient to the entire underneath but external area.

Do not rub or scratch at it ever. Even when the itching is driving you crazy.

A cold pack wrapped in a soft cloth helps.

Thank you ladies.

So I shouldn't have it forever? It can be cleared? Roll on seeing the nurse. Although worried ill be bleeding again by next week. I might contact them tomorrow and see if they will prescribe something.

Omg this happened to me following a copper IUD. I actually prayed it was herpes (I'm not even joking) because it would have a name and a treatment. The pain was that bad. Anyway long story short, swabs didn't find anything other than group b strep that was 'off the scale' and they said it was vulval dermatitis. I had the IUD removed and I was fine after but the pain must have lasted 2 months before I begged for the coil removal.
I was having recurrent BV too. So the coil was probably the most effective bc ever because I wouldn't let my partner near me.

I bet I'm gunna need this coil out which will bring back all my previous problems. If I can't clear this up I'll be so uncomfortable though I'd never be able to entertain sex, so may aswel look onto the surgical options.

Such a shame as I felt it was going to help.

anotherminiadventure I've been prescribed dermol and trimovate for dermatitis in that region - I get it with thrush and it took years for a Dr to work it out and prescribe the right combination. I'm very protective of my tube of trimovate in case I need it. I was freaked out by the supply issues!