Vaginal itch and burning at 37 - and no answers from doctors

[Alittleditsy]

Hi all, I'm getting really fed up with persistent symptoms I can't get to the bottom of.

Every month, I get a series of symptoms: An itching and burning feeling inside the vagina, sore vulva especially around the clitoral area. A UTI type feeling/irritated bladder/uretha. Discharge seems to be normal, no weird smell, although when I'm in the section of my cycle where I experience these problems, I also get small white flecks in my discharge.

It was happening from day 7-18 ish of my cycle, this last month I upped my omega 3 supplements and cut out sugar and that seems to have shifted the symptoms slightly later - from day 13-23 ish.

I've been tested for thrush and BV multiple times, tests come back negative.

Been tested for UTI's multiple times, all fine.

I don't think it's cytolitic vaginosis due to where it falls in the cycle, PH levels also been tested and all is fine.

They looked at my good bacteria, all seems fine and like right levels.

Have had internal examinations and everything looks fine and as it should so I don't think I have vaginal atrophy.

I'm 37 years old. It started when I was 25, I had it for about a year until I started taking Cerazette progesterone only pill for 11 years and no symptoms at all whilst on the pill. Came off it in October last year and all the problems came back again, so it's clearly related to my hormones.

I'm going to ask the doctor for homone levels test to see if there's anything going on there.

I've tried YES vaginal moisturiser, it had no effect. I've been given estrogen cream to Ovestin by the doctor but I was hoping to get to the bottom of what it is before I try hormonal creams.

I paid a lot of money to see a private gyno because my doctor told me my symptoms weren't severe enough to be referred on the NHS. The private gyno was an awful, patronising man who said there was nothing they could do for 'women like me' with a collection of unexplainable symptoms.

Does anyone have any idea what this might be? And do you think it's unrealistic to expect a diagnoses before I start treatment - have other people gone down more of a trial and error treatment route without a diagnoses first?

I'm feeling pretty low about this because nobody seems able to give me an answer. Currently single, I would like to meet someone but sex would be very difficult and uncomfortable as things currently are, due to the UTI and irritated feeling.

Any help much appreciated!

And just to add - Sexual health screening also all came back fine.

I am only saying what I discovered for me, I have had issues with some clothes washing stuff and also some cheap period pads overthr years can't remember which ones though

When I get home I try and go without underwear too

Big sympathies - sounds very familiar. I am dealing with same thing. (Have a thread running and also check out moody bladder hangout to see if any of that is familiar). Getting me very down.

not much to suggest you haven’t already thought of. Multigyn gel is often suggested as something to soothe the area.

I understand vaginal atrophy/low oestrogen can also cause this - have you explored asking for oestrogen pessaries to see if they help?

mostly here to bump your thread in case anyone else can help. You are not alone!! Big hug.

Also worth seeing if there is a sexual health clinic near you as they are often better informed!! Your private gynae sounds like a right wanker

Thanks for your replies, I appreciate it. @Ouchouchowwwww I will check out your thread, and also the moody bladder hangout. My next step was going to be trying Vaginal estrogen pessaries, but I'm wary of doing that when the issue could be to do with low progesterone. As you know, it's just so frustrating that there is so little information on this stuff, and most doctors just fob you off! And yes, that gyno was such a wanker. He wouldn't say the word 'Menopause' like it was sinful and instead called it 'The Change...'

Hi
I’m so sorry to hear you have been struggling with these horrible symptoms!
I was wondering how you feel now and if you found any solutions? I’ve had similar symptoms for a year now but I’m 27 and am wondering if it’s hormone related too

@Lb1234567 I’m sorry to hear that, it’s the worst.
I was basically sorted! Unfortunately now I have a horrible bacterial gut infection called C-Difficile which has thrown off my hormones again but before that my problems were resolved!
Here’s what I did:
I realised what I was dealing with was symptoms of Vaginal Dryness. I suspected it was caused by localised low estrogen. (So just in the Vaginal tissues and surrounding area).
I had blood tests for hormone levels at the doctors and they came back within range. But then I found an amazing company called Future Woman, and did their full cycle mapping (Something called The Dutch Test). It’s not cheap, but so worth it. That showed up a few things including B12 deficiency, and low estrogen and progesterone. The Dutch test is good because it shows how your body actually turns the hormones into what it’s supposed to/if they actually end up in the right place. You can have fine levels in your blood but the hormones still aren’t getting to the right places. (That’s what it was for me).
Future Woman made suggestions to me off the back of my results like eating more Cruciferous veges, balancing blood sugar (no more coffee before breakfast), and taking a B12 supplement. And within 1.5 months…it was all fixed 😊
it’s not cheap - I paid about £600 and I appreciate that isn’t accessible to everyone. But it completely solved my problems, I would highly recommend them if it is something you can pay for.

@Lb1234567 Hope that gives you enough info, let me know if you have any other questions. It’s such a myth that Vaginal dryness only happens when you’re in your menopausal years. Mine started when I was 27, I think for me it was because I didn’t eat very much/only ate salad, so I was basically malnourished for years.

Not read all the responses but as a GP who sees a lot of sexual health/menopause I'd be thinking a) have you tired a potent steroid cream
If so and no response to that trial the topical oestrogen for a month or two, you might be pleasantly surprised, risks negligible

Thats so interesting - thanks for such a detailed message. I’m definitely going to look into the Dutch test!
I’m sorry to hear your symptoms have returned and hope you find relief soon