Labial tears 6 years after 3rd child

[AliceWunder]

Hi, I have given vaginal birth to all three of my children and had stitches with no 1 and 2.

It's been 6 years after giving birth to my 3rd child and I still get labial tears on and off. I am aware that penetrative sex can also cause it, so lube is always part of our sex routine.

I showed it to my GP once and she simply couldn't see anything, after that I never followed up.

I don't use any body washes or soaps or any other product down there just water. Occasionally I apply baby ointment or Sudo creme for healing.

The tears can be where the outer labia meet inner ones, over clitoris hood and sometimes around the vaginal entrance, so it's not just one particular area.

Any advice?

Thanks

Could it be just thrush? Is it like papercuts?

Have you been checked for lichen planus? Might need dermatology referral.

But I have no smelly discharge or other symptoms.
Yes it's like paper cuts.

I just looked that up, but I don't have any of those symptoms

Think previous poster was possibly thinking of lichen sclerosus instead of lichen planus?
Maybe get checked out for that?

This sounds exactly like lichen sclerosus. Ask for a referral to a dermatologist who specialises in vulvas. I saw one for this. Btw most GPs won't have heard of this. I asked for advice and noone had a clue until i saw a v wise pelvic physio who suggested this.

In the meantime use a moisturiser like hydromol. I was prescribed steroid cream which cleared it up (but it can flare up and return).

I can recommend a dermatologist in Reading if you're in the south east.

I dont get the usual symptoms with thrush thats why thought might be this..i dont get the discharge etc... if i leave it untreated looks/ feels like cuts .. i dont know, I'm not saying its this... doctor needs to investigate properly...

Thanks, yes I'm near Reading so would be greatful for the information.

Tbh I braved to look at vulva pictures of affected patients, but I don't have any sort of white discharge or labia growing together/shrinking. It's really just cuts like old stitches opening up

Do you have any white patches? I had two stripes of skin that were white, otherwise normal. That's a classic sign.

Dr Inge Kreuser-Genis at Derma Reading is fantastic. She's private - I don't know if you can request an NHS appointment but it was a 13 month wait for NHS appointment and 1 month wait for private so I went private.

I think tbh if you're getting regular cuts it's worth seeing someone who understands the skin down there. That must be really painful!

How old are you OP? If you are any where near perimenopause it could be related to hormonal changes. Lack of oestrogen thins the vulval and vaginal skin which can lead papercut tears but this is easily treated by Ovestin cream from your G.P

I'm 42. Thanks for the recommendation.

@AliceWunder you're welcome, hormonal changes are often overlooked by GPs, many of whom are woefully under informed about peri menopause and indeed menopause, despite the current publicity.