Recurring almost invisible painful scrapes on outer labia, anyone had this?

[LadyVienetta]

I know the answer already; go and see a gp or gyno.
But I am wondering if anyone has encountered this. Every once in a while for about a week or so I have this painful sensation on the lower part of my outer labia, so the side towards the bum. It is so strange, it's like a slightly burning, stinging feeling. I always ask DH to check if he sees anything. He sometimes sees these tiny-tiny areas of barely visible scrapes. Don't know how else to say it. You wouldn't see them unless looking at it with intend with a torch, with it's like something scratched or scraped it, or chafed it? It's not red, it's not bleeding, it's like the surface of the skin is broken just a tiny bit, like something touched your skin enough to chafe your pores? does that make sense? these are literally half a centimeter areas with 1-2 pore-like scrapes.. only visible with a torch.

I have absolutely no idea where this comes from or where. At first I thought these are small tears of the skin when we are a bit rough in bed, and maybe we should use lubricants? My husband says it reminds him of tiny scrapes you can cause yourself with a razor blade, and that might be it.

Does anyone get it at times, or have an idea what it could be or what causes it?

I’ve heard of this before and it’s a skin condition I think, I’m sorry I can’t remember more info but have definitely heard of it as a thing.

How old are you?

42

It could be due to your oestrogen levels starting to drop. I have to be very careful to not cause these sort of grazes since I was peri.

That’s more than likely a peri symptom. Oestrogen cream is the answer. Get thee to the gp.

oh! with sexual activity? or shaving?

Oh interesting. Will look into this!

lichen sclerosus

lichen..scelrosis ,,so painful but treatable see GP.

I am plagued with similar. Eventually diagnosed as lichen simplex. You can get a steroid cream but also it helps massively to avoid soap, anything perfumed and bio washing stuff.

I use femfresh. I just don't know what is good anymore

Try Naydaya victory oil - it’s glorious for mending scratchy sore bits down below that come from wear and tear

I had this in my 40s and my GP helpfully had no idea what it was, turns out it’s vaginal atrophy starting in Peri. I’m in my 50s and found a good vulva/vaginal moisturiser helps loads. I’ve not needed hormone cream or pessaries yet but I hear they are very helpful. Hopefully your GP will be able to sort you out and check for Lichen sclerosus, they seem to be a lot more clued up now than they were 10 years ago.

Thank you @liamharha @NellieShoe - this lichen sclerosus seems a bit more visible and sore than what I have.

It may be worth going to a Sexual Health clinic. It could be herpes virus.

Mine was lichen simplex rather than sclerosis - harder to see.

hope not

It sounds like herpes, paper cut like stinging, lasting a week or so, pore like shape.

oh no... There's no way to get rid of that.

Mines not sore just extremely itchy and not visible ,the itch causes the soreness ,,I was given emovate and clears up for a while . I dont have the sling discoloration,,hp told me soamu women suffer but dont.visit due to embarrassment.

None of us can know for sure. It's likely to be vaginal atrophy (which has a new name, I think,) which is mostly treatable with HRT, or lichen sclerosis, or thrush, and you're scratching it in your sleep, or an STI, but you will only find out if you see a qualified medical person.

Honestly, it sounds like it’s presenting very mildly for you and you can take tablets that reduce the symptoms further. I’ve had it for 7 years now and was so upset when first diagnosed and honestly never think about it now.

Yep, its Sunday name is
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)

but vaginal atrophy to its friends 😆

I use a balm called Vulva Balm and it's absolutely phenomenal for this. It's in a tin like lip balm and it's got organic oils in and I smell goddamn delicious every time I pull my knickers down for a wee. Got it online. Silver tin, white label. Also good for the military tears on the inner labia and vag entrance.

Vaginal atrophy.

You need oestrogen cream (this is local, not systemic HRT).

I had this. My gyanae prescribed daily application of estriol cream. I was in a dreadful state. Oestrogen cream fixes it beautifully.

DON'T use anything but water on your poor vulva!