Vaginal itching

[Mingymoo23]

I’ve had vaginal itching now for months. It’s to the point where I’m having to itch and then i’m making myself bleed and scratching myself etc. I went to the doctors they swabbed me and everything came back as normal, no thrush, no BV etc. physician said to carry on using thrush cream mixed with hydrocortisone cream and take anti-histamines and if it carries on I should go back. I recently went back and have been sent for a blood test to check for diabetes. Awaiting the results. I’m worried that if that comes back as clear then I’m back to square one. I don’t bathe in soaps or anything. I wear loose fitting clothes, I wear cotton underwear. I’m so frustrated with it and wondered if anyone has experienced the same? Thanks x

How old are you op? Peri menopause/menopause could be the cause, if so HRT might help?

Could be lichen sclerosis, see if you can see any white patches. I was referred to dermatology after going to sti clinic thinking it was warts.

Have you tried having a bath before bed with Epsom Salts or Colloidal Oatmeal?

This. If you are 40ish - 50ish topical oestrogen might be the answer.

I had this at certain times of the month. I’m 42. I’m now on HRT and it’s much better. I still get it very mildly at some point in my cycle, never worked out where, but I can ignore the itch now whereas before, like you, I was ending up bleeding and with small cuts

Have they tested your blood sugar? Common sign of Type 2 Diabetes.

Vaginal atrophy or lichen sclerosis would be my guess. GPs aren't great at diagnosing LS but a sexual health clinic would be. Otherwise you may need local oestrogen.

I had this. Doctor said thrush or dry skin due to menopause.
Gave me an antibiotic and cream. Three days later itching has gone so probably thrush. I'd tried canisten cream but it needed something stronger

Thanks for all for your replies it’s nice to know I’m not alone. I’ve had my bloods back and everything is normal except high cholesterol and being dehydrated but I knew about those already. I'm 33 years old so not sure it’d be menopause related. I’ve been swabbed and tested for thrush etc and that’s come back as normal. There’s no white patches down there, they’ve examined me and can’t see anything. Not tried the Epsom salt bath but I’ll give that a whirl 👍🏼 I’ll go back to the doctors and see if they can refer me to a sexual health clinic see if they can advise anything.

OP, if you can run to it or have private health insurance try making an appointment with a dermatological consultant specialising in vulval skin.

I had this for years from mid 30s, steroid cream kept it somewhat but not entirely at bay. Got topical oestrogen cream in my mid 40s and it totally fixed it & I've had zero problem in the following ten years. That's despite no other menopause related symptoms until late 40s
The only thing I would say is that mine did always vary with my cycle, so it was pretty clearly hormone related in retrospect. But as I've always had auto immune skin conditions including at one point dermographism as well as eczema & others it's not surprising no-one really picked up on that.

@Mingymoo23 i have the exact same thing I’m currently 28 weeks pregnant and it’s driving me insane. I can’t figure it out. Been using canasten and it’s not doing anything. Please keep us updated.

Are you on a contraceptive pill by any chance?

I was unbearably itchy on the mini pill, I scratched til I bled! Once I came off it the itching stopped and I've had no issues since! I'm a similar age to you too.

I had symptoms like this for years and tried all sorts of treatments. Nothing worked. Sex was a no-no as my skin developed paper cuts, so with the itching and soreness life was pretty miserable. Purely by accident a dr. mentioned in passing about Lichen sclerosis and I was referred to Dermatology.. My whole vulva looked red as if it had been burnt. I wasn't able to wear underwear for months. Potent steroids were too strong although they are the international 'go-to'. It did get sorted in the end but it took about 3years. Good luck

Yes I’m on the progestogen only
pill but have been on it for over 18 months now and past 3-4 months I’ve been getting the itching 😔

@Mingymoo23 what was it in the end?

Lichen sclerosis, ill never get rid of it but at least I know what it is now and I’ve got creams etc to treat flair ups

@Mingymoo23 did you have white patches? And do the creams work?

@Mingymoo23 thank you for responding also :)

No white patches more like lines she was saying, I couldn’t see them but she knew straight away when examining me. I have a steroid cream now called Betnovate. I had to apply it every day for a month and then taper the days down from there. Now I just apply it when I need to and it’s worked wonders. I’m no longer in discomfort. I’ve got a follow up appointment in a few months time.

Yes, I was diagnosed with lichens sclerosis about 4 years ago by a gynaecologist after a referral from my female GP. She is very good!

I was prescribed vagifem tablets and Dermovate cream for flare ups. (I’m in my early 60’s)

However, since being on the weight loss drug Mounjaro, it’s completely gone! I’ve been taking MJ for over a year and I’ve had zero symptoms of lichen’s sclerosis. I stopped bothering with the Vagifem tablets some months ago and still no symptoms.

I think they’ll realise in time that glp-1s are the miracle drugs for women with any hormone related conditions.

oo I see! I’m so glad the cream worked for you :) what sort of lines and where were the lines? I’m tempted to go to a sexual clinic (even though I know I don’t have an sti) to see whether they can help more? The GP looked down below and said it looks all normal xx

See a lot of people have said it’s gotten rid of their symptoms! I have pots , endo , adenomyosis and polyps I’m abit scared to try it xx

Thank you. I couldn’t see them when I looked. Also it was near the opening of my vagina so it was hard for me to bend and see properly. I tried looking with a mirror but it was still difficult to see. She just knew what to look for as she was a gynaecologist. I went to the doctor and the sexual health clinic and they didn’t know what it was so they referred me to a place called Health Harmonie. Are you in the UK? If so, I’d definitely suggest getting in contact with them as they have been great.

Wow that’s amazing. Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later 😊