Chronic vulval itching / thrush help?!

[Itchyproblem]

I have been suffering from pruritus vulvae (itching on my labia majora) for about a year now. A swab came back borderline for thrush so the GP treated me but symptoms didn't ease.

GP then put me on Trimovate cream (steroid) in case it's a dermatology issue and has referred me to dermatologist but the waiting list is about a year! I'm in so much discomfort, waking up scratching at night (not worms, has been confirmed) and I've tried all sorts of self-care methods, including washing with emollient, cotton underwear, Piriton tablet before bed etc.

The GPs don't seem to know what to do with me as the last swab for thrush came back normal but they still prescribe Canesten and pessaries.

DP and I use condoms every time we have sex so I doubt he's passing thrush back to me as the GP suggested he could be. We'll try some non-latex condoms in case that's an issue but I've never had problems in the past.

Has anyone else had chronic vulval itching, and what did you do about it? I'm in my 30s, healthy and never been pregnant, no apparent hormonal issues. I'm really at a loss for what to do and am considering paying for a private gynaecologist or dermatologist if I can afford it, as this problem is making me miserable! During the day I'm mostly okay, I just want to be able to sleep without waking up scratching. Oh and GP also thinks I have haemorrhoids as I have itching there too, but treatment has failed to clear them!

Ask your GP about Lichen Sclerosus.

I have this and it caused intense itching for over 12 months until they diagnosed me.

I use clobetasol cream. It gets rid if the itch.

It's very strong so you use it until there is relief and then need to stop and apply again when it flares up again.

Google the condition and see if any of it resonates.

Good Luck

@naughty40me Thank you. Sorry to hear you had issues for so long until diagnosis. It's very frustrating!

I looked up lichen sclerosis before when I was trying to find answers and the GP briefly mentioned she doesn't think it's likely in my case – she thinks I'm too young / not close enough to menopause, although she did mention my vulval skin is quite pale. There aren't any white patches though. She also mentioned the dermatologist could do a punch biopsy to identify the cause, which sounds painful! Did you have a biopsy, if you don't mind me asking?

Sounds similar to me but I havent completely solved it yet. Been through the thrush treatment saga but hasnt resolved it.
I did find the following has helped ease it significantly though:

• Changing toilet paper brand to andrex gentle clean
• Washing "down there" with a emollient e.g. the big tubs of Zeroderm
• non-bio laundry detergent and no fabric softener for pants/anything that comes into contact with that area
• and finally to reduce friction irritation, a little durex sensilube

I will be interested if anybody has found a miracle cure

I think a change of condom type might help. It’s worth a try if only to eliminate it.
Years ago I was tested for absolutely everything. Turned out to be washing powder. Washed my pants in Stergene hand wash liquid, rinsed them really well & problem quickly went away.

I was diagnosed with LS in my mid 30s. Clobatesol has been life changing. Itch totally gone!

@Clowninja sorry to hear you're also experiencing this unpleasant issue. I hope you can get some answers. I'm following the same self-care measures as you but they haven't really helped. I'm thinking about trying a probiotic like Optibac for Women as a long shot just in case the natural flora is unbalanced. Some studies suggest it can help but if it's a skin issue, I doubt it would make a difference.

@Stratocumulus I'll try some non-latex ones. The thing is, the issue persists even after not having sex for a week or so. I would have thought it would flare up immediately after.

I use only eco brands and non-bio laundry detergent, but I was wondering if my issue could be a form of contact dermatitis. How did you get tested? I'd like to get patch tested to rule out allergies but my GP hasn't offered it.

@Margaritawithlime I'm glad to hear you found a cure! The GP ruled out LS because of my age, too young she said. It sounds like it's rare in one's 30s but not impossible, as your experience shows. I'll have to go back to the GP, I would really like to see a vulval skin specialist but no idea how to access one without referral.

My GP had said she thought it was some kind of eczema hence the prescription emollient (which you can buy off the shelf). She didnt offer any tests to confirm. So yeah just been switching brands/self care to figure it out.
Its been going on over a year now but definitely improving. Probably is better when I use the emollient more frequently actually.
I forgot to add to my other list, my biggest change is buying all new trousers. Everything super thin/light and extra baggy/loose and said goodbye to all my lovely yoga leggings, jeggings etc.
Sleeping with light bedding and bottomless. I'm definitely more uncomfortable after an event where I wear something more snug.

We may not have the same issue so whatever works for you. Good luck!

You could get a private swab done, they are much more sensitive than the nhs swabs. Juno and digital microbiology do them.

Hiya

I didn't have a biopsy...she put the referral in but the wait is about 2 years.

She said she couldn't leave me like that so prescribed the cream. Also estrogen pessaries as I have dryness too.

It took so long to diagnose because I was stupidly too embarrassed and tried every homemade remedy going first lol.

As the clobestol worked like magic the GP said that its fairly certain that I do have LS.

It's very potent stuff but it does work.

Same! I had some whitening so she was pretty sure that’s what it was but in fairness I came with the diagnosis thanks to mumsnet! I hadn’t heard of it before then.

Does Juno work in the Uk? I am having all these symptoms and I don’t know which way to go?

Yes Juno can be shipped to the UK.

@Itchyproblem Oh dear. here's another lady with a useless GP. I have had LS for over 40yrs. At first it was diagnosed as thrush but all the anti fungals in the world didn't make a jot of difference. I was prescribed so many Diflucan over a period of time I became allergic to the drug. I was in a faithful marriage so knew it wasn't an STI but I went to a clinic anyway to get checked out. Zilch! Nada! Sex became a non event as I tore and bled each time. And so time passed. Then a chance remark from a GP about LS (in reference to another fungal issue I had) and scales fell from my eyes. I sought a diagnosis from a dermatologist, had a punch biopsy (which sounds eye watering but really wasn't) and the diagnosis was confirmed. Now, what to do about it since there is no cure only treatment of symptoms. The 'gold standard' around the world is High Potency steroid cream/ointment - but it doesn't work for everyone, so you have to rely on the experience of others. I have tried so many balms/ointments and creams and what I (and many others) have found is that something works for a while, then becomes less effective, so you have to have a variety of items in your arsenal. There are 2 forums which might help - 1 is a facebook group called Sharing is caring and the other is called 'Stuff that works' You will get so much good advice from these fellow sufferers. PM me if you want specific advice about treatments. If it is LS then it's an auto immune condition

Hi, thought I'd update this in case anyone else is reading this thread in desperation after suffering the same symptoms. I asked the GP for another swab as the symptoms have got worse. The swab came back positive for a non-albicans form of Candida, which is pretty rare.

Most thrush is caused by Candida albicans but there are other varieties which can be harder to treat, e.g. in my case being treated with OTC treatment and Canesten didn't clear it up. I'm now starting a new treatment of long-term fluconazole (the oral capsule) for 6 months. Hopefully this will clear it and I'll be itch-free! Good luck to anyone else who's suffering, it really is horrible.

@Clowninja – maybe request a swab from your GP? Mine was self-administered and easy to do.

@Alwayssomething123 – sorry you're also having symptoms, it's so unpleasant. I'd definitely ask your GP for a swab, if you can.

Curious to see if you’re feeling any better now? Fingers crossed for you

If you need a specialist private doctor I would recommend Austin Ugwumadu in London

Sorry, I only just saw this months later! The thrush was treated successfully and has gone, with some easing of symptoms. But the itching is still there and I have pale skin, so the dermatologist I saw thinks it could be lichen sclerosus. Unfortunately, another long wait for a biopsy so as of now I'm in discomfort without treatment. Thanks for asking :)