Desperate for someone to understand

Back in Feb. I had some sort of outbreak. I experienced swelling, itching, and burning of my vulva. I went to the OB/GYN and she tested me for everything, everything came back negative. It went away after about three weeks and was gone for about 6 months. Back in early July the same thing happened. I am still experiencing swelling of the vulva, redness, irritation, and burning. It got a little better, but seems to be getting worse again. I read up about vulvodynia but I don't have some of the symptoms. I don't have painful intercourse or shooting pain, but strong irritation. Is it possible this is what I have?
I don't know how much longer I can go on like this...Please help!

Hi there!

There are many symptoms to vulvodynia and many of us experience it in different ways. However, can you link your flare up to anything? Is it possibly an allergy? If i were you I would ask to see a dermatologist who specialises in vulval pain. Or try going chemical free with all of your products (shower gel, shampoo, detergent etc), and see if it settles down then.

Have a read of other ladies' posts on this forum though, you may find someone else's experience rings true with you.

Good luck! We're all in this together! x

Nothing that I can attribute it to. I did change my laundry detergent and stopped using dryer sheets for me "delicates" which seemed to make it a little better. I just don't get it, I don't get how I'm so swollen down there, and red and irritated. Sorry for giving so much information but I have been swearing tt has to be some sort of infection or STD, only to find out no one is sure what it is. I'm not sure which is more frustrating :-(

Vulvodynia basically just means "vulvar pain," so it's a catch-all diagnosis when the doctors run out of other reasons you could be in pain. Although most of us have some sort of pain, itching, and burning sensations, we experience a wide range of symptoms. Cyclic pain is common for both vulvar pain and bladder/urinary pain. If might mean you have an allergy or that you are sensitive to some product you used or something you ate. Seeing an allergist or dermatologist might help. So might keeping a journal. I'd keep track of every thing you eat, clothes you wear, products you use (or a sexual partner uses) etc. to see if you can find any triggers or patterns.
Epsom salt or baking soda soaks in lukewarm water might help temporarily. So might rinsing off after urination instead of TP.
Hope this helps.
Heidi

have you had a blood test for HSV 1 and HSV 2
sometimes that can cause these non-typical outbreaks

meaning no sores

Cultures for HSV are only accurate if a sore is cultured within 24-48 hours of it appearing
so id ask for a blood test