6 month on and off itching.. advice please?

Posted , 5 users are following.

in november, i had really severe thrush..to the point that i scratched that much i bled. it kept me awake at night and i was so so depressed. i took thrush medication but although helped i wasnt 100% it went away. it was managable but still there until january when i took a pessary. again, practically gone but good and bad days. i then went for a smear in february and had a thrush and BV test and it came back negative. the nurse said cervix etc looked fine. the itching is comstantly in the background.. i cant have a day that i dont think about it. i phoned the doctor again (on lockdown) and explained i had done the following: changed shower cream to sanex, wasnt wearing tight clothes, thursh and bv came back clear, washing with canesten 0% soap.. ive even had an STI test even though i knew i was fine! she told me due to the intense itching it id probably just inflammed my vagina badly. she told me to use zeroderm and gave me a steriod. i used it for a week like prescribed and oh my goodness!! hooray, bliss... till the 7 days was done... at about day 10 the itching is slowly coming back but only when my vagina comes into contact with anything. most the day i am ok but its constantly in the background. can someone please help? im 25 and feel like i cant get on nd live as dramtic as that sounds... and the thought of meeting someone and having sex.. couldnt feel anymore disgusting and down. please shed a light!!!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello Katy, I saw your post and can imagine your hoping for a reply! Sorry you're going through an ongoing issue- I have been battling mine (I have some stubborn burning that is hard to make go away) for a similar amount of time and I know how hard it is, it can be all consuming and no diagnosis makes it even worse. Have you looked in the mirror what does the skin look like? maybe it's a skin condition and not a gyneacological one. That would explain why steroid cream brought some relief. Also have you noticed discharge? Contrary to popular belief you can use steroid creams on an ongoing basis, if you speak to your gp again ask for some medium strength and see if prolonged use brings lasting effect. I got prescribed a strong one which i used for a month, now i'm using it every second day and then for the third month i'll be using it once a week. Still not sure whether it helps but it's worth asking for a similar regimen. Also if you notice any patches of dry skin consider asking for a referral to gyne or even dermatologist as it could be a number of skin conditions like lichen (don't let is scare you as if it's treated it's managable). Also order some hydromol from amazon and use as a moisturiser in the meantime. I know seeing GP's isn't easy at the moment but you'll be suprised how well they manage to help over the phone. Keep your chin up! there's loads of threads on here and mumsnet when women exchange ideas of how to care about vulval skin. Hope you'll find some relief soon, all the very best. Ahh and google your local GUM clinic- they are very knowledgable and will examine you properly if you can get an appointment (if that's possible atm), I found them much better than GP's who are rather reluctant to take a look at your private area.

  • Posted

    I had this problem for years in the end I managed to get a doctor who said it wasn't right she sent me to a dermertoligest were I had a biopsy done and it turned out I have a skin condition called Linchen planus I gave to use a steroid cream for this so I wouldn't be surprised if you have the same condition mention this to your doctor ask to be referred to a dermertoligest

  • Posted

    hey,

    thanks so much for the replies!! i have been told to use my steroid cream for another two weeks. the itching is becoming hit and miss but i appear to be swollen on one side more than the other. i mentioned lichen and my doctor seened to think i have nerve damage and massive skin sensitivity because of it. i still feel no furher forward but i guess ill have to wait till the two weeks is up. my doctor is listening at least so thats a relief

  • Posted

    Hi Katy, Can I just ask if you ever got any answers to your symptoms? I've had one and off intense itching on inside my right labia only for the last six months or so. It's also swollen on that side. Getting really worried about it!

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