Steroid Ointments and Creams

I've had two cases of vulvodynia. They've been very different in terms of symptoms and types of pain, I figure I'll share how I rid myself of the first one (4 months). The second one, I still have but it has been getting significantly better (at 4.5 months presently)

The first:
-Cause: most likely by monostat 7 suppositories
-Symptoms: started with a typical yeast infection, but after treatment, vulva remained dry and stinging pretty much 24/7, peeled like a sunburn due to how dry it was.
-Doctor: Had tests for yeast, BV, and trichomoniasis (I wasn't sexually active at that age) and came back negative for all. Proceeded to be stuck in a ridiculous cycle of doctors.The 5th doctor I saw, the one who prescribed the ointment, told me that this was an "itch scratch cycle", and I swear I was not scratching it, apparently normal movement/underwear/anything can effectively "scratch" already weak skin.
-Showering: She also had me use Cetaphil non-soap cleanser. Normally I avoided soap in that region, but she said in order to remove any shampoo/conditioner residue this would be necessary.
-Laundry: I began double washing underwear in hypoallergenic detergent, though I don't believe it was the cause (because I went back to the regular stuff a few months after), it helps to eliminate all possible irritants down there.
-Cured: The ending cure for this was a steroid ointment (0.1% betaderm), I had tried a few steroid creams before this was tried, but for some reason the creams didn't work. The ointment was used twice daily and felt better within a week, but I continued to use it for the prescribed two weeks. In the first month or so after that I would occasionally have flare-ups and have to use the ointment 2-3 times but after 2 months I was rid of all symptoms for 2 full years.

The second:
-Cause: occurred after yet another yeast infection, treated with terazol cream. (Also occurred 4 months after starting birth control pill, but I believe that wasn't a large factor/cause, and will restart pill if/when I get everything cleared up).
-Symptoms: Vulva swelling, sometimes very red, periodic greyish discharge that stings on contact with skin. Stinging and burning pain.
-Doctors: I've seen 7 of them. Been STD tested twice, and vaginal cultures 3 times, everything is negative. Most credible doctor: infectious disease specialist.
-Tried (failed): Cetaphil + betaderm + new detergent = not cured, caused another yeast with the steroid ointment (betaderm). Probiotic suppositories = Resulted in yeast. Lactic acid tubes = soothing, but effectively did nothing. 7-diflucans over 7 days, this was a dumb idea by an idiot doctor. Improved the problem for about a 10 day period, then got worse.
-Tried (successes): Epsom salt sit-bath. Blowdrying down there after showering, swimming, or sit-bathing. Taking a Benadryl every night To relieve itching, therefore prevent unconcious scratching (whatever it is isn't an allergy because I tried going days without pants and with sink showers to wash my hair, and no gain). Hydrocortisone (0.5%) cream on the outer lips only (even though most of the pain is on the inner lips). Deep massage of groin region surrounding vulva trying to loosen muscles in the area.


Few things about me:

I'm a frequent swimmer. Presently I only swim about 4-5 times a week, but was at 11 times a week at my highest. Leading up to the first one I spent a full summer with biking as my only method of transportation and was swimming in a saltwater pool 6days/week. Thankfully, the problems set in after I was back at home and able to ditch the bike.

The second bout set in midway through a summer of biking as a primary transport.

I personally would much rather blame biking than swimming, but gynocologists disagree. I've tried quitting swimming but have never had any improvement from quitting, and have often gotten worse in my time off.

Thank you for this post. I'm going to try Epsom baths actually, and this has encouraged me more so.