Reaching out does anyone hear me?

Hi. For the last year and a half I have suffered with a variety of vaginal issues. I associate this with my new partner of the same timeframe. We have both been tested for all STDs and we are both clean. I have had frequent UTIs mainly. I'm on the low-dose antibiotic for that. Normally I take that after I have sex to prevent a UTI. This has worked very well and have not had a UTI since last August. However last fall my boyfriend and I went away on vacation for a weekend we had more sex than usual and came back feeling not so right in the vaginal area. I went to a walk in the next day and was told I had BV. I was given antibiotics and it went away in a week. After this it seems like I was getting BV every few weeks. I went to the doctor quite often and that was all they could come up with. Most of the times they didn't see any clue cells under the microscope. They only found the bacteria in the culture. They finally sent me to a so-called specialist here in my state. I explained my story to the specialist who then examined me after a series of questions she gave me some pamphlets and went off to do some paperwork and let me stew on my new diagnosis Vulvodynia. Believe me I was scared and didn't understand what was going on I have been told for the last six months I had a chronic BV infection. The doctor explained to me that I was misdiagnosed the entire time and given antibiotics for more than likely the wrong thing. She explained to me that I should use this cream called Nyogyn. And we would start with this. I only had burning itchy skin on the left side of my vagina on the outside. After a few weeks of this cream things seem to get a lot better the bad irritation soreness and itching went away. I started getting very excited that this May be the answer. But the symptoms of itching and a little irritation came back every now and then. It's been about three months now that I've been on this cream. For the most part my symptoms are 80 percent better. And I'm very very happy about this. However, Here is the funny part is now after I have sex the left side of my vaginal area wall begins to swell up. And that's only on the left side. And twice now I found that after sex I have tiny cuts in the bottom of my vagina. They heal up very quickly they do not hurt but I find this is only after longer sex sessions. This sensitive area swells up after sex. I found that I have to put an ice pack on it and take ibuprofen in order for it to go down quickly. I find if I do not put ice on it right away that the swelling lasts for a few days. But it goes away. I asked my Dr. about this and she basically shrugged her shoulders and said this type of thing can be very normal and nothing can really be done about it. This bothers me as she doesn't find the need to send me to a dermatologist just to make sure that it's not another skin disorder. She had me make another appointment for another month away she told me to have sex the night before so she can actually see what I am talking about. The last time I saw her the area was not swollen or bothersome. So I am a little worried about this. I feel I can't have sex as much as I want to. Believe me I'm happy to have sex at least one to three times a week if possible. However because of this issue and the minor itching here and there it doesn't always happen. But I have a very understanding partner. So that's where I'm at. I feel 80% better I really do and I'm very happy about that very very much. However it does still bother me from time to time. I'm hoping that eventually this will go away enough to let me live a normal life life as possible. I don't have pain with sex but now I'm starting to feel more anticipation of the possible swelling and irritation that comes after having sex. I

Sorry I didn't mean to send this right away. Anyways overall I'm feeling better. I would consider myself as having a mild problem. I don't know what else to say except that I am reaching out for the first time here. I don't know anyone who has this Or anything similar to it. I'm looking to talk to somebody who might have some similar problem to me. I guess my question is at this point does anyone have the swelling after sex on the side of the vagina where your irritation is. As I said before my area that's affected by this Is on the left side of my vagina on the lower part. If so what were you told it was? Where you referred to a dermatologist? If so what did the dermatologist determinant? I'm just curious. I meant to ask my doctor about the dermatologist referral as well. I would like to rule out everything and not have her just look at my vagina and say the skin looks good I don't see a problem. I think a dermatologist Would be a better judge of that. Also I see a lot of you out there have worse problems than me with this and I feel very bad for you I wish I could give you a big hug and tell you that I'm there for you to even though I don't know any of you. But overall my advice to everybody who suffering from this is not to give up hope. I would like to hear from some other people that have a similar issue to mine although not as bad as many of you I feel that even this minor issue does affect my life. When I feel that area the feeling irritated or kind of numb or kinder I don't know I don't even know how to describe anymore it does Bother me. Thanks to all of you who are reading this sorry it's so long it's hard for me to talk about this as I No no one who has this. I appreciate anyone who reads this to provide any feedback they have thank you.

Also I'm just apologizing for some of the spelling and grammar and no paragraphs in here. I'm using my phone and dictating this.

Your skin might be too thin causing the cuts, you could maybe try estrace? But I honestly have no idea...

Welcome to the forum, I do think its worth seeing a dermatologist. You do get ones that specialise in vulval skin issues. It could also be some form of dermatitis? I got checked out because of my soreness and irritation, but was told I didn't have a skin issue and it was more to do with my pelvic floor and nerve endings. It can all feel very confusing sometimes! Yes do not give up, that's great advice.

Sebby x

I agree with Sebby that a vulval dermatologist is a good idea, make sure it is a vulval one though. there is a connection between the skin and the pelvic floor because of a lack of blood flow getting to the vestibule so if the dermatology appointment gives you no answers that could be your next step.