Swelling of labia?

[NCForQuestions]

Apologies, it's a bit long. Trying not to miss obvious stuff.

I've felt really poorly for the last few days but couldn't initially pinpoint a reason. Sweating though tshirts but also cold, aching to my bones, sore knees and hips when walking. No actual fever. Am taking regular paracetamol and ibuprofen and it takes the edge off.

Then realised that the sore bit on my lower labia I thought was just a scratch or something was actually a swelling. It's like the lower wrinkles (is that the right description?) of my labia have decided to grow to about ten times their normal size and are how hanging below my vulva and rubbing. There are two, one each side. One is the size of my thumb, the other about half that size. Have checked with a mirror.

Saw the GP on Friday morning, she has no idea what it is but doesn't think it's an infection. Has taken a swab to send off and ordered bloods which can't be taken anywhere until Wednesday (mental given she's looking for infection markers!). Has written up my notes as "Posterior 3rd of labia bilaterally swollen - obvious fluid accumulation in the subcut ; Rest of the vulva slightly erythematous, and some discharge - normal looking ; No excoriation"

These things could be unconnected but it seems a strong coincidence that I feel terrible and my nether are being weird!
Since then I've noticed that my groin is sore all all over like it's bruised - in the area of the glands.

Definitely not bartholins cysts - I've had a couple and these feel nothing alike and no "centre" to these swellings if pinched.

No changes to products used - not bought anything new for washing of me or clothes in a few weeks, no sex as husband is deployed, no use of toys, clothes are all a bit loose tbh as I'm losing weight and I'm between sizes. I only wear cotton underwear and mostly cotton trousers / jeans as bottoms. No leggings, tights or tight clothes.

I'm as confident as I can be that neither of us have been shagging about and we both had negative STI checks before we got together ten+ yrs ago. I trust him as he's an absolutely terrible liar, he'd never manage it.

Any suggestions?

Is there a walk in sexual health clinic?
Or even short notice booking.

Not because you think it’s an STI, but because they’re the experts in this area.

I've just checked and everything is appointment only and Mon-Fri for Devon and Cornwall. Will think about it on Monday though!

Sounds sore OP,. Make sure they rule out Cellulitis which I think could cause swelling and the feelings of shivery aches that you describe.

Yes @Piknik that was my immediate concern too. On Friday when I couldn't get a blood test before next week (it's all done at a central location which is insane) I was flapping about sepsis tbh.

I feel less unwell today but still not great.

And typically I'm in London for work Monday and Tuesday, so I'm also worried about getting more ill miles from home.

Not being well enough to travel is a fair thing to tell work.

Walk in sexual health is probably easier to find in London.

Pros and Cons.

I've only just changed roles into this one, it's the first trip and it'll be a big problem if I'm not there so I REALLY need to try. I looked for walk in clinics but I'm working in Westminster 9-5 and again it seems to be day time and appointments in the surrounding area. Gah.

OP - Guys and St Thomas walk in Sexual Health Clinic open till 6:30pm. You could easily make that from Westminster

Burrell Street
Location: 4-5 Burrell Street, London SE1 0UN.

Thank you so much {mention:Piknik}@Piknik, I'll take a look!

I would hazard a guess that this is a herpes outbreak. The cut, the swelling, the flu like symptoms and the swollen lymph nodes are typical presentation.

That's a horrifying idea.... Had a look at a million pictures online, and I'm reasonably confident I've had no lesions, lumps or bumps through this.

Both DH and I do get cold sores though, so it's not out the realms of possibilities.

I couldn't get into any of the clinics anywhere this week - all fully booked. My nether regions are about 90% back to normal, only mild misshaping now. The bruised feeling and deep aches have all but gone big in still knackered.

Blood tests and swabs were negative or normal - including infection markers. Seems pointless going back to the GP as it seems to be resolving?

I'm none the wiser tbh, but will head straight to a sexual health clinic at the first sign of anything in future.

when I get an outbreak, it can sometimes look like a paper cut, rather than a blister. Most new cases of genital herpes are from the HSV1 strain, which is mostly found orally, ie a cold sore.

Either way, as long as you’re feeling better, that’s all that matters!

Feck I hope it's not herpes. I wouldn't want to pass it to DH, and obv would prefer not to have it myself!

I'll have to have a good think on it and be alive to it as a risk for us. Thanks for the suggestion.

May I ask how you manage with it?

I just ride it out really. I tend to get a few episodes of nerve pain a year, which are called prodrome symptoms, but I only get a true outbreak about once a year.

I am suffering with what I think is post herpetic neuralgia from an outbreak I had in June, usually only seen in shingles, but my body seems to be fighting against me at the moment!

My DH hasn’t caught it and we’ve been married for 10 years. If I have any inclination that I might get an outbreak, we don’t have any sexual contact.