Consistent mysterious pain in inner labia/vaginal entrance for 3 months, gyno appt is still a month out
Posted , 7 users are following.
I've found other discussions on here that I relate to but I'm hoping for some personalized insight on what might be going on with me because I'm really freaked out at this point. This has been going on for a while so I'll try and summarize it in concise bullet points.
- 27y/o female, no history of any kind of vaginal problems/stds/etc except one UTI about 10 years ago.
- I had a bit of a medical phobia before all this and stupidly put off a physical/my first pap smear for way too long, but I was looked at and tested about a month after my symptoms began.
- The timeline so far is this:
Early April - symptoms appear suddenly one day after a shower, right after my menstrual cycle. The only trigger I can think of is (bit TMI here) is I may have scratched the inside of my vagina on a fingernail a day or two before. I usually am careful and hyperaware of what goes in and around down there i.e. avoid soap, always clean fingers, etc. But I do remember a moment of "oh no, did I just scratch myself," even though I didn't really feel anything.
- Besides this I can think of absolutely nothing that was recently changed or out of the ordinary (diet, medications, sexual activity, etc).
- The symptoms began as an uncomfortable, raw, burning sensation. Soon I was noticing unusual discharge, it was sometimes pinkish and chunky looking.
- A couple days after my symptoms began I used my insurance's call-a-doc service (no PCP) and based on the description of my symptoms he assumed I had a yeast infection and prescribed me two doses of diflucan.
- I completed the prescription and my symptoms definitely subsided - the rawness and burning felt better but still present, and the unusual discharge mostly went away, but eventually returned as a more thick, white, classicly "yeast infection" presenting.
- A few weeks went by and I felt comfortable enough to resume intercourse with my husband, but the day after my symptoms flared and I feared my "yeast infection" hadn't been fully cured.
- Early May I finally saw a doctor, got a physical, blood work, and a paper smear done. Everything came back clear but since I was still experiencing pain my doctor prescribed me another two doses of diflucan.
- I completed that prescription and waited another month to see if it would clear up after my menstrual cycle. At this point I was researching how to fight chronic yeast infections and tried cutting out almost all sugar and carbs (which my diet is admittedly heavy in).
- I lasted for about 3 weeks and have fallen off that wagon because my symptoms didn't improve at all and I was becoming really miserable. I have avoided alcohol this entire time though.
- Early June I went back to my doctor to get a referral to see an OBGYN and unfortunately none of their offices had an opening until early August.
- Currently my symptoms are a near constant burning rawness in my inner labia and vaginal entrance. It is most tolerable in the morning and gets worse as the day goes on. Being active/clothed/sweaty does seem to aggravate it, but even when I do nothing but lay naked in front of a fan all day it hurts basically the same. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel provides temporary relief.
- I have been sleeping naked every night and going commmando/wearing airy clothing during the day as much as possible. I switched out all my underwear for new 100% cotton ones. I've had no sexual penetration for two months and even avoid clitoral orgasms because the "heat" and moisture of arousal feels irritating. I only clean my backside and outer labia with Cetaphil gentle cleanser, and only rinse my inner labia with warm water. I try to avoid letting any other soaps run down there as well.
Sorry for the wall of text. Even if no one can help at least I have a timeline for my OBGYN laid out..
Deeply appreciate any help. Thanks
0 likes, 4 replies
Tinkerbelle31 melissa0000000
Posted
Hi I'm having a very similar problem to you and I've tried numerous forums for help with no replies. mine started around a year ago a few days before my period id have the burning sensation just like you I had to sleep naked use ice ect. once my period started ot went away, this happened every month. my gyno didnt know what it was and put me on the mini pill which did help for a few months and out of the blue it started again only this time it's not before my period it just randomly starts. im currently sat in pain as I type now this started yesterday just as my period started. sex can be a big trigger aswell, my partner has said when I have this sensation he seems to feel quite sore aswell but only lasts a day and it's gone but mine lasts longer. I cant cope with it anymore its driving me mad! I've been with my partner 14 years so no sti or anything like that. your certainly not alone! hope you get some help and advice.
m94901 melissa0000000
Posted
Did you find any relief? Ive been going through similar symptoms with a recurring burning sensation (entrance of vagina on one side, mostly) and generalized itch. ive been prescribed flucanazole and the symptoms subside but come back a week before my period
L2341 melissa0000000
Edited
Hi, are you taking probiotics supplements? You might not even have yeast infection anymore but your genital ecosystem needs to restore. This can take a long time!!! I'm sure your OBGYN will help but at the meantime this is something you can do. I've been in a similar situation for 2 months now... I'm negative for everything but it feels like I'm suffering from a severe contact dermatitis and no ointment will help....
Grace_eir melissa0000000
Posted
Hi Melissa,
Unfortunately, with a lot of women's health issues there isn't much information as to what causes conditions like this. However, you're doing everything right, the sleeping commando, airy clothing, etc.
I have had vulval pain for nearly 3 years now and not a single doctor can tell me why I have it, how to treat it, or if it will go away. Out of nowhere I started having pain that felt like a UTI after intercourse, and because I am a young, sexually active woman the doctors didn't bat an eye and prescribed me antibiotics. I had 6 full courses in 9 months - you're not meant to have more than 3 in a year... Anyway, after I got that pain under control I develop this general burning in my vagina which just felt raw and relentless. After years of trial and error, the only thing that has ever alleviated the pain and over time healed it was a product called Emu Oil. It was recommended to me by a doctor at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne on a whim as one of her other patients had experienced similar symptoms. At the worst of my pain I couldn't wear tight pants, denim, underwear, and I couldn't exercise or sweat at all. 9 months of using emu oil and I can do all of those things. Word of warning if you use it, it is the weirdest sensation you will ever feel down there, but you will get use to it.
I hope this helps!