1. Community
  2. Contraception and sexual health
  3. Sexual Health

Abnormal Vaginal Burning and Discharge--please help!

Posted , 17 users are following.

kagome_angel
kagome_angel

Hello. Thank you first and foremost for taking the time to read this. For over a year now, I have had vaginal burning and discharge which has definitely never been my normal until... a little over a year ago. Initially, I had issues with a kidney stone (my 4th stone) back in March-early April of 2014 and then I got what I assumed was a yeast infection. I had the yeasty discharge, the itching, all signs that I'd had with previous yeast infections. So, because I had to follow up about my kidney stone anyway, I also told the doctor that I believed I had a yeast infection. He did get a sample of the discharge, and told me just by looking that I did indeed seem to have a yeast infection. So I was given Diflucan and told to take that. He also did a urine sample due to the issues with the kidney stone, and called me back and told me that I had a bit of a UTI thanks to the kidney stone problems. He prescribed bactrim and also told me to use monistat along with the diflucan since the bactrim may worsen the yeast infection. I've never been able to take monistat very well because it causes horrible, painful vaginal burning for me. But I did it. Then I followed up after finishing my antibiotics and after I'd passed the kidney stone, figured all was well when my urine specimen was negative for bacteria, and so forth. Thought the yeast infection had cleared since I hadn't had any more itching and such. But then when attempting to have intercourse with my husband, it HURT. It felt like my insides were on fire. So it was back to the doctor for me. I had a different person see me this time and she said it looked like I still had a yeast infection, so she gave me more diflucan, and told me not to use the monistat since I probably had an allergic reaction. Well, the diflucan didn't help, and I started having a very thick, white, non-odorous discharge... not normal for me. Went back to the doctor, who did more tests, and gave me a steroid cream to put on my vulva area. Did this for 10+ days, no relief. Saw another doctor, who did rounds of tests, all negative. She informed that I was probably "getting irritated" from having intercourse with my husband and asked me "how large" my husband is. I then informed her that he is the only man I have had intercourse with for 10+ years, and he has never caused me discomfort before, so why would it start then?! She recommended trying various lubricants, and nothing else. Lubricant did not help. It still burned like fire when I tried to have intercourse. I constantly had that thick, white discharge that made me feel... just plain gross, honestly. And oddly enough, even my clitoris was ridiculously sensitive at times, which made it difficult for me to even receive oral stimulation. After another trip to the doctor, explaining the lubricants did not help me, she said I was probably having "hormonal, normal changes" and suggested switching to a monophasic birth control (I lived in England at the time; had been on Sprintec in the states, but that was not available in England so I started using Ortho Tri Cyclen LO), and she started me on Microgestin Fe before I had to come back to the states. I tried Microgestin Fe for 4 months. It did not help with the discharge, which is what the MD was hoping it would do. It didn't help at all. It only made me break out and made me very cranky and hormonal. Now that I am back in the states, I have resumed my career as a Registered Nurse, and I work 5 days a week for a Hospice company. It is very difficult for me to fit in a doctor's appointment but I am trying to schedule one for July. In the meantime, the gynecologist I used to see here, back before I had any problems, put me back on my Sprintec for birth control. I am still having the same burning sensation in my vagina, the same discharge, but at least I am not having the breakouts and hormonal effects that Microgestin caused.

I was going through my medical records from England and guess what? I noticed that my very first test for yeast infection there was NEGATIVE. The thing that started it all, that I JUST KNEW was yeast, apparently wasn't. But I got treated for a yeast infection anyway and didn't get better. Everything after that tested negative too. All that has EVER shown up has been "rare WBCs", which simply suggests irritation and/or some inflammation. But I KNOW there is more to it than just that. I don't know what is going on, but this vaginal burning and abnormal discharge has been going on for over a year now and nothing is helping. Does anyone here have the same problem? Does anyone here have any possible answers? Thank you all so much.

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

Next
  • feelbroken
    feelbroken kagome_angel

    Posted

    Have you ever been tested for herpes or BV?
    • kagome_angel
      kagome_angel feelbroken

      Posted

      Yes. All tests have been negative. The only thing they have ever shown is "rare white blood cells." All STD tests negative as well.
    • feelbroken
      feelbroken kagome_angel

      Posted

      You know that herpes tests are not included in a full STD panel right? You have to ask for it specifically to get it.

      So they tested you for bacterial vaginosis? Do you have a smell after sex by chance?

      Are you guys using condoms?

    • kagome_angel
      kagome_angel feelbroken

      Posted

      I asked them to test me for everything. Multiple times. Genital herpes was included in the testing twice according to my medical records. Negative both times. They tested for yeast and bacterial vaginosis multiple times. All negative.

      We do not use condoms. There is never a smell to the discharge before or after sex. It is just... always there.

    • feelbroken
      feelbroken kagome_angel

      Posted

      OK.... Have you ever pondered the rare possibility of developing a semen allergy? I highly recommend the probiotic... If you're having problems w your pH balance down there, which can cause symptoms you are having, then a probiotic should resolve that after some time, if that's the problem.
    • kagome_angel
      kagome_angel feelbroken

      Posted

      You know... several years ago it used to burn when my husband would ejaculate inside of me during intercourse. I started taking a probiotic and it went away. And then I stopped taking it, never had any further problems til years down the road... as in, last year. I started back taking probiotics when I thought it was yeast... never helped. sad I have the burning sensation all the time with penetration. It is just wrose when my husband ejaculates inside of me.
  • simonthethird
    simonthethird kagome_angel

    Posted

    Possibly try using condoms for a while and see if there's a difference?  You could ahve developed an "allergy" to you d/h semen ...

    On the UK programme on TV "Embarrasing Bodies" [sad aren't I?] they used lactic acid gel to great effect with longstanding vaginal problems.

  • v63024
    v63024 kagome_angel

    Posted

    Have you had any luck with this? I have the exact same problem ! I've had kidney stones also exact same story I can't believe it! That's actually when this all happened was after the stones!

    Would love to know if you've had any relief yet?

  • peg30465
    peg30465 kagome_angel

    Posted

    I don't see a date on this, hoping for a reply postmenopausal woman 50+  here with similar problems. have been to 2 different ob's 6 times and the emergency room. No STD's, all cultures normal and no UTI although emergency room previously diagnosed yeast infection and so did one OB Doctor, plenty of white discharge then, but no smell/odor. Have a ton of creams, fluconazole, have done inserts, taking probiotics,I was told everything was recently clear. I am now taking nothing, they have suggested an OB specialist, cannot take this anymore - it's been almost 3 months! Never had any problems! No itching just a burn that is getting worse. Drinking as much water as possible. All white underwear, using no perfumed detergents, have done everything possible. Sex would be impossible, sitting is, I wake every morning with this when I sleep, affecting sleep and eating. Will take weeks to see a specialist. Had my gallbladder removed a year ago. What could this Be? Any suggestions or help desperarately appreciated.

    • barb16894
      barb16894 peg30465

      Posted

      I just turned 50 and am having the same symptoms. Been to many doctors including ob/gyn and urologist. All tests negative but have this 24/7 burning pain in vaginal area. One area I'm exploring right now is thinning of the uterine wall. Google that topic, you'll find some supplements to take to help regulate estrogen levels and increase blood flow to that area. I haven't tried this yet but will start tomorrow.

    • Nancy53
      Nancy53 peg30465

      Posted

      I'm 53 and having same problem. Mine started after taking augmentin for a sinus infection. I've been treated for yeast and bv and the burning still persists. I've been given flagl, diflucan, monistat, steroid creams, lidocaine cream, premarin cream, no relief. They have tested me for stds, herpes, cv, strep b and all come up negative. When I have an internal exam they say I have lots of white substance which they think is yeast but comes back negative. Have you been checked for cytolytic vaginosis? It can mimic a yeast infection, but it isnt.

      Good luck. Keep us posted if you find the answer!

  • nicole61750
    nicole61750 kagome_angel

    Posted

    I've been experiencing the exact same thing for about a year too. I actually feel like I wrote this. I'm not glad your going through this but I'm glad I'm not the only one. Have you had any luck finding a cause? I have discovered a few things about my urine but no significant diagnosis. I too suffer from kidney stones. Have you liked into oxalates and candida.?

    • Takingtime
      Takingtime nicole61750

      Posted

      I am just wondering if anyone found what causes it and if there is any cure.  I too have had this for going on three months, I have been to the docs on a biweekly basis, we have done all the swabs, tests and it is all negative.  The one back in August showed my PH was off, but this last one did not.  Mine comes and goes, thank goodness as I could not live like this 24/7, I find the specula they use causes irritation for a couple days.....sex is not happening.  The doctor is stumped, she did notice my cervix is red and inflammed, but chalked that up to hormones.....I have seen a urologist and there is slight bacteria of strep b, but they are not treating as it is not showing up and infection.....strep b is not showing up on the swabs, so I am at a complete loss.  I have spent tons of money on creams, probiotics, supplements, I have cut sugars, caffiene out of my diet, garlic pills...d-mannose, cranberry, you name it.  I am thinking it is time to see a gynocoligist as perhaps they are more up on this type of thing.  
  • Chernobylorbust
    Chernobylorbust kagome_angel

    Posted

    If this started after antibiotics it may be what I have which is candida glabrada.

    You need to try and find a vulvular care clinic and get in there Asap if this is not resolved.

    Most regular OBGYNs are not good at treating it.

    My WBCs are high also. I have been tested for everything on the planet. This strain of yeast is hard to culture.

    Best of luck.

    PS I wouldn't eat any refined sugar, it will feed the yeast if you do have it.

    • les20500
      les20500 Chernobylorbust

      Posted

      How do they treat candida glabrada? I've been having yeast/BV symptoms for about 2 months. I first had a yeast infection and was treated with 2 single doses of diflucan, the symptoms didn't go away so the Dr prescribed a week long of fluconazole, twice daily and symtoms still didnt go away. I went to my OBGYN and she did a culture, yeast was gone but I had BV. She prescribed metrogel for 5 days, which irritated me even more resulting in inflammation. I stopped the metrogel and was prescribed Flagyl, the oral version, for 7 days. I finished it and still had some irritation, occasional discharge, some swelling, and burning sensation after urination. Went back to Obgyn and all tests came back neg, including all stds. I'm terrified to have sex with my husband cause I know the swelling will be unbearable. I have another appt with obgyn and will bring up cytolytic vaginosis, lichen sclerosis, ureaplasma, and Candida glabrada. I'm 33 years old and couldn't imagine living the rest of my life in this discomfort. Let alone never being able to give my husband sex again. If anyone else has any suggestions please feel free. I am taking a probiotic with 25 mil live bacteria for about 2 weeks now, once a day. I'm scared to douche since it disrupts the flora and ph balance. Please suggest any other conditions I should be checked for. Again, all std test neg, including herpes.

    • Chernobylorbust
      Chernobylorbust les20500

      Posted

      C. Glabrada is treated with boric acid.  The medicine shoppe or a compounding pharmacy can make the suppositories.  You need a prescription.  Your OB will know what boric acid is.  It can be irritating.  Wear a pad and shower first thing in the morning to get rid of it all the next day.  It's typically a 10-14 night treatment.  Boric acid kills yeast and BV and viruses.   

      You can ask for a candida glabrada test.   It is its own thing.  I had candida glabrada which could be seen under a microscope in the office but never cultured.   They couldn't see it anymore after the boric acid treatments but the symptoms persisted.

      Then I quit eating dairy and the symptoms resolved.   It took about a year in total.  It sucked.

      You will need to find a vulvular clinic near you.  You may need specialized help that a regular OBGYN can't give.

      In the meantime, I would try vaginal cortisone-10 and see if it helps.  Use a small portion at first and see if you can tolerate it.  It costs about $5 at Walgreens.    It could be that all the treatments have inflamed everything.  Coconut oil is also soothing and is anti-microbial. 

      Stay away from sugar in your diet.  It feeds everything bad and will accelerate an infection.  Eat healthful foods.

      Good luck and I hope this goes away.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.