New and need advice and help

Hi everyone,

About three months ago, I started having vaginal and vulval itching. Then, about two months ago, my vulva started to feel painful and look swollen, so I went to the doctor. I was tested for herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea which all came back negative. I also had to do a vaginal swab test and the only thing that came back positive was yeast infection. I was prescribed hydrozole cream and a tablet to treat the yeast infection.

A month ago, it felt like my vulva was getting a bit better, but then I got my period three weeks ago, and my vulva was hurting a lot again. About one and a half week ago, I went back to the doctor, and he told me to try bepanthen ointment. Two days after I went to the doctor, I noticed that I have really raw, inflamed, and painful area on the top of my inner labia on both sides near my urethral opening. It looks like the top layer of the skin in that area has been damaged, and it's really painful to touch. Lately, when I walk, the raw area would often rub against each other, which hurt a lot, and so I've had to walk so slowly to minimise pain. It's taking me twice the time to get to places these days. Urine stings the raw area, so I lean forward when I pee to avoid the pain or at least minimise the pain. I've been too worried to have sex in the last two months since my vulva started hurting. My boyfriend has been really supportive and understanding, and he's been there for me whenever I need him. But my pain is really getting me down and making me feel really depressed. I can't sleep well, I can't walk properly, I can't sit down properly, I get worried when I need to pee, and I've been crying so much lately because of the pain. I've been referred to a gynaecologist but the next available appointment isn't for another two weeks.

Has anyone tried anything that could soothe and/or heal raw, painful and inflamed vulva skin? Also, does anyone know of anything I can take to help lessen the pain or relieve the pain?

I'd really appreciate any help or advice. Thanks!

Did you end up getting any relief? If you're still having trouble with urination, order a peri bottle like women use after childbirth. You can use this while urinating with water to help alleviate the sting, then lightly pat dry. Whenever you try a new cream/treatment, go easy on it and do a spot test to see how you will react. I hope you're feeling better!

Hi kdh17,

Thanks for your reply. Leaning forward when I pee does help, but I still feel pain sometimes. Some days, the pain is less, and other days, the pain is worse. My gp recommended that I try lidocaine gel, but I'm worried that it might sting the raw area of my vulva when I apply the gel. Have you tried lidocaine gel?

Thanks again for your advice!

Wear 100% cotton underwear, no tight pants or bottoms of any kind. Maybe try skirts or dresses instead. When you have your period only use tampons or pads that are entirely cotton. No dyes or anything else in them. Start taking a probiotic with no dairy derivatives in it. Talk to your gynecologist or specialist about getting a prescription for aqueous lidocaine and start applying that if you can.

Oh, you poor love I know exactly what you are going through. I had this for 2 years. The burning and the redness. I went to the doctor like you and had tests. Everything came back clear. My doctor did not really recognise the condition. I tried everything to no avail. As a desperate measure, I thought to myself...I wonder if I tried Olive Oil, its natural so cannot do any harm. I put Olive Oil down there twice a day in the morning then just before going to bed before a shower. Within 3 weeks the burning stopped. I was really amazed, to be honest. There are products on the shelf that is for burning etc, but there is always some sort of chemical in them, that they just seemed to aggravate it. Olive Oil is all natural with no chemicals or scent. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose. Can you let me know on here if it works? Good luck

Hi Amethyst - Thanks so much for your reply. Which probiotic would you recommend to take?

Hi Derry59 - Thanks so much for your reply. Does the olive oil sting when you apply it? I’m so worried to apply new things to my vulva. When I went to the gyno, she prescribed me Diprosone which is a pretty strong steroid ointment. I’ve been using that and it’s made the swelling go down, but hasn’t helped much with the pain. I think I have micro tears or small cuts on the top parts of my inner labia and vestibule below my urethra. I often feel pain from those areas. Sometimes, it’s a stinging pain, and sometimes, it’s a tearing pain or a raw feeling. Did you also experience those types of pain?
Thanks again for your advice.

Derry 59 - I've had this condition for 18 months and been prescribed numerous creams, all of which produced horrendous burning and discomfort. Eventually I discovered that they all contain parabens, variations of liquid paraffin and/or alcohol and produce an extreme allergic reaction. I couldn't even use the soapless wash cream that the doctor prescribed. The only topical thing I've found which I can tolerate and which provides some relief is called YES vaginal moisturiser. It is organic and water based, available on the NHS and a tube lasts ages.Google it to see variations of the same product.