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Women's health

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Vulval problems! Any help greatly appreciated!

15 replies

Loz9791993 · 24/08/2022 19:06

Hi guys, not really sure how all this works here but any help is greatly appreciated, I started with vulval itching and irritation nearly 4 years ago, I am getting so down about this now I literally don't know what to do anymore. At first I thought this was thrush (got this alot in my teens) obviously took medication for this but 6 months down the line still didn't go away. I visited the clinic - she told me I had herpes and I was devastated. Gave me medication to clear this up. Still months later the irritation and itching was still there, I was also getting very sore at the entrance to my vagina like right at the bottom. I went back to the gum clinic and she was appalled at what the previous nurse told me. I didn't have herpes and the nurse that told me didnt know what she was talking about and she couldn't apologise enough. she said to stop using dove soap as this drys out the vulva and gave me aqueous cream to wash with. This actually worked and I thought it definitely was the soap. However months later I started feeling the same again, this time it was much worse and it feels like I have something crawling around down there! Visited my gp and the clinic again who did sti tests and found nothing. All they really did was give me hydrocortisone cream still didn't clear up. Some days it is worse than others, sometimes it almost feels normal with very minimal itch then bam hits me again! It almost feels like I have cuts down there and on times I've looked the skin looks so red like its been cut. I went back to my gp who had a look around and said she saw no signs of redness( this is one of the days it wasn't irritating so bad) but she did find something on my cervix (really sorry I can't remember what it's called) she referred me to the hospital to have this burnt away. They also did a biopsy and confirmed I had hpv in my letter afterwards. I waited months for the appointment to have this thing burnt away and the nurse could see redness so referred me to a gynecologist. I was still feeling the same every day until a few months after everything seemed to clear up I had started the gym and tried to cut down on bad foods not sure if this was what helped.. I honestly thought yes this has gone ! I was having regular sex with my partner again! (Sex however does also hurt me a little) I went to my gynecologist appointment who said everything looked fine, I said I've been trying to eat well and exercise too, I had also started using non bio wash powder for my knickers. Thought I'd cracked it....Low and behold A WEEK AFTER MY GYNO VISIT this all came back 😭 I'm at my witts end with this! Its constantly sore, itchy and irritated. It feels like I have ants crawling on my vag all the time!! I bathe in bicarbonate of soda 3 times a week, just use water down there to wash with, have spent hundreds of pounds on products that haven't worked. I honestly feel so down with this now and feel like the drs just fob me off 😣 I haven't had sex in a long time because I'm so scared of making this worse. has anyone ever had this type of feeling and have any advise what to do to stop it! Thank you - sorry it was so long xx

OP posts:
Noiamnotshe · 25/08/2022 22:53

It could be so many things allergy, hormones worms are you perimenopause age if so could be that get yourself some hrt sounds horrible I hope someone comes along with a wonder cure for you, in the meantime bicarb is not working so stop it prob drying n making it worse wear cotton Only or none don't wear tight clothes no jeans wash towels flannels on 90 and wash after every use wash underwear on higher temperature to kill any germs maybe see a dietician sometimes thinks like dairy or too much sugar can cause it, check for diabetes as that is a common symptom u could have candida n need a complete diet rehaul keep on at health people and it will be cured soon I hope.

ladyandthechocolate · 25/08/2022 22:56

Could you have threadworms? They can live in the vagina as well as the anus.

IStandWithMaya · 25/08/2022 22:57

How awful for you. Maybe return to GP with the list of things you've mentioned here and ask for further investigations. Good luck.

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 25/08/2022 22:58

Do you use scented toilet paper or sanitary towels?

ladyandthechocolate · 25/08/2022 23:01

If not, then you need to ask for a referral to a dermatologist who specialises in vulval skin conditions. Privately would be quick (but expensive) or the NHS will run vulval skin clinics (yes they do exist!).
It could be lichen sclerosis or vaginal atrophy as a possibility or neither of those things.

abovedecknotbelow · 25/08/2022 23:07

Don't wash with anything apart from water, there is no need to.

Have you heard of lichen sclerosis? Have a Google.

cheesepretzel · 25/08/2022 23:12

hi Op, I had something that sounds similar a long time ago - was worried it was herpes after checking out Dr Google so went to gum clinic who ruled it out. In hindsight it started soon after I stayed at a b&b that had scented toilet paper (!), which obviously didn't agree with me...... I was prescribed some Trimovate cream and it cleared it up, was such a relief. Clearly I don't know if this is the same issue you're having, but if you've not been prescribed it before, might be worth discussing with your Dr.

Foronenightonly01 · 25/08/2022 23:22

Yep, agree with pp - have a look at lichen sclerosis symptoms and see if they tally. My pre-teen dd has this - intermittent steroids will calm it for a while but there’s a symptom surge every so often. Also stop with all soaps & other products. If you must wash with anything use an aqueous cream (zeroderm etc). Take an ovex just in case too!!

Haggisfish3 · 25/08/2022 23:25

I also find using non bleached toilet paper and non bleached organic sanitary towels made a huge difference for me.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 25/08/2022 23:30

Do you have PCOS? Have you ever been tested for insulin intolerance/diabetes?

You mention that you noticed an improvement when 'trying to eat right' and if you are pre diabetic or diabetic then excess sugar can cause thrush symptoms.

I get the same thing, if I go low carb I have no soreness or itching, if I go back on the cake and chocolate then I end up at the chemist buying canestan.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 26/08/2022 00:01

You haven't mentioned your age but it could be Vaginal atrophy if you're approaching peri menopause

MrsAvocet · 26/08/2022 00:09

Lichen Sclerosus was my first thought as I have it and sone of what you describe is similar to my experience and I was treated unsuccessfully for thrush for ages before I was diagnosed. It can't be "cured" as such but can definitely be managed a lot better than what you are currently experiencing.
I agree with a PP, you need to see a dermatologist who specialises in vulval conditions rather than a general gynaecologist. If you can afford it it might be worth seeing someone privately. It shouldn't be necessary of course, but the wait for NHS appointments is often long and you sound like you're really suffering.
I hope things improve soon.

babynoname22 · 26/08/2022 00:12

LS was my first though followed by vaginal atrophy. Push for Ovestin cream or similar to see if that helps.

I feel you op I've had very similar problems

Flowersinspringgrowwild · 20/12/2022 22:00

Op did you sort this out?

toogoodforthisworld · 22/12/2022 09:18

Yeah I'm wondering if your condition has improved? X

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