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Original poster

What is causing the tears around my vulva?

26 replies

mmmflakycrust81 · 15/09/2022 19:33

Every 6-8 weeks i seem to have an outbreak of skin tearing in my vulva and inside my vagina. Its extremely uncomfortable and stings and gets worse then goes away after a week or too. I also think i have an anterior wall prolapse.

Any ideas what it could be? 39, no reason to think STD, not caused by sex/friction/injury.

OP posts:
sintrawest · 16/09/2022 03:35

Sorry I don’t know, have you seen a healthcare professional? That would be the first stop..

beccahamlet · 16/09/2022 03:37

Could it be thrush?

PieonaBarm · 16/09/2022 03:47

I was going to say thrush. Looks like paper cuts?

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 16/09/2022 03:50

Time to see a GP or gynaecologist. That sounds awful!

Fingernails4Cash · 16/09/2022 06:20

I've had this for various reasons:
Thrush as pps have said,
Using abrasive shower mitt down there (use it on your cellulite and not on your delicate nether parts, is what I learned! Interestingly the mitt didn't cause the tears but it did cause a thrush outbreak!),
Clumsy bikini hair removal,
Accidentally scratch in the night,
Sex without enough erm lubrication,
STD.

Go to the doctor please!

SpinCityBlues · 16/09/2022 06:24

You'll have a local sexual health clinic if you can't get a GP appointment.

JerryGarcia · 16/09/2022 06:26

I had this when I stopped reast feeding. GP said possibly due to hormonal changes and I got some cream which cleared it up.

Iheartgeraniums · 16/09/2022 06:26

Lack of oestrogen?

violetcuriosity · 16/09/2022 06:50

If it's like small paper cuts and occurs around your period I would say likely herpes

Original poster
mmmflakycrust81 · 16/09/2022 13:06

Thanks all - female GP not free until next Thursday and am driving myself crazy googling!

I didnt know thrush could cause tears/bleeding but this all started after a bout of antibiotics which is why it was my first guess.

I am extended breastfeeding, did also wonder if it was caused my lack of estrogen as everything feels like its..shrunk?

OP posts:
ChiefPearlClutcher · 16/09/2022 13:23

I’ve had this!! It’s like paper cuts and v v painful. It was called recurrent fissuring of the posterior fouchette. I had it for 4 months or so postpartum, the gynea said it was due to hormone imbalances and will clear up on it’s own, which it did. Never saw anyone face-to-face (sent pics) due to covid. Baby born when I was 44.
I applied Lansinoh just because I had it, was soothing enough

Original poster
mmmflakycrust81 · 16/09/2022 14:14

ChiefPearlClutcher · 16/09/2022 13:23

I’ve had this!! It’s like paper cuts and v v painful. It was called recurrent fissuring of the posterior fouchette. I had it for 4 months or so postpartum, the gynea said it was due to hormone imbalances and will clear up on it’s own, which it did. Never saw anyone face-to-face (sent pics) due to covid. Baby born when I was 44.
I applied Lansinoh just because I had it, was soothing enough

Interesting! I will mention this, thank you!

OP posts:
BigSidLittleSid · 16/09/2022 14:20

It might be you need a dermatology referral also.

I had (or what the GP thought might) be lichen sclerosis (sp?). I had a steroid cream for it, which cleared it up and it has only reoccurred very mildly since. The GP said if that didn't work then she would refer me to dermatology. I had slightly different symptoms to you though.

Thestoppedfan · 16/09/2022 14:26

I had this for about 12 months. Drove me insane and I never got to the bottom of what caused it. I went on a health kick, ate healthier, exercised and lost lots of weight- one of these things (or all) fixed it and touch wood it’s not come back since. Omg the pain though I found Vaseline really helped with the discomfort.

GroggyLegs · 16/09/2022 14:29

I had this for 15+ years, saw 3 gynecologists. No diagnosis, no remedy.

I stopped using hormonal contraception - it disappeared. In my case definitely hormonal.

Wbeezer · 16/09/2022 14:34

Topical oestrogen cream will probably sort it out. I had similar when breastfeeding and now again in menopause, that reminds me I need a repeat prescription!

Original poster
mmmflakycrust81 · 16/09/2022 15:08

Wbeezer · 16/09/2022 14:34

Topical oestrogen cream will probably sort it out. I had similar when breastfeeding and now again in menopause, that reminds me I need a repeat prescription!

What cream did you get from the GP? Thanks!

OP posts:
Wbeezer · 16/09/2022 15:54

They've given me two different ones: Ovestin and Estriol.

Just1thing · 16/09/2022 16:03

ChiefPearlClutcher · 16/09/2022 13:23

I’ve had this!! It’s like paper cuts and v v painful. It was called recurrent fissuring of the posterior fouchette. I had it for 4 months or so postpartum, the gynea said it was due to hormone imbalances and will clear up on it’s own, which it did. Never saw anyone face-to-face (sent pics) due to covid. Baby born when I was 44.
I applied Lansinoh just because I had it, was soothing enough

Blimey this is an amazing post! I have been wondering what it is for years! Solidarity OP and thank you @ChiefPearlClutcher!

fallfallfall · 16/09/2022 16:34

Hormones and lube, more lube and lube for sensitive skin choose the lube wisely different brands.

PattyMelt · 16/09/2022 17:05

Lichen sclerosis. Comes and goes, they give you some steroid ointment that works, but it still comes and goes.

GoTheFcukToSleep · 16/09/2022 17:09

OMG I’ve had this! Mine seemed more like grazes rather than clean (paper like) cuts? It seemed quite different from thrush which I’ve also had before. More like almost thinning of the skin? Can’t explain it! Went away but nervous about it coming back. Can you update on the diagnosis? Hope it goes away for you!

Original poster
mmmflakycrust81 · 28/09/2022 12:51

Just to update - went to the GP and she swabbed - thrush! Argh, NEVER knew it could cause these symptoms.

Also got a bonus prolapse diagnosis so fun times!

OP posts:
GoTheFcukToSleep · 28/09/2022 13:15

Oh man! Fucking thrush!!! At least you know what it is now. I suspected mine was thrush too. Mine has gone away so hopefully yours will too! Hope the prolapse isn’t causing too many symptoms. Thanks for updating with a diagnosis

maddy68 · 28/09/2022 13:25

It's hormone imbalance. This is affecting me now I am menopausal