I am so scared

[Still Scared]

Female, 34 years old.  Healthy, no diabetes, etc.  I have a new sexual partner as of November 2005.  Prior to this relationship, I had not had sex in two years nor had I ever had any kind of vaginal problems except the occasional UTI.  Since our relationship began, I have had several UTI

[HOPELESS!!]

This is the first time I have been on this site and I read your questions and comments and was wondering if you could help me out? The symtomes I have seem simular to yours. About 1 year and some odd months ago I got a yeast infection, at least that is what my gyno told me. No big deal I thought; but after I took the meds and used the cream, the itching, burning, almost unbarable feeling did not go away. I went back again and again because nothing was helping. I was tested for all STD'S and HIV and all came back negitive. To this day I am still suffering with this constant discomfort. I no longer have Incurance and can see the proper Doctors to fix me. So here are my symtoms.... constant and sever itching, burning, if rub or itched the skin tears and sometimes bleeds, and there is a strange moister the comes after I rub or itch that is like sweat. There dosent seem to be any oder, none that is alarming anyway, just your average end of the day after sweating slight oder. There are a few days here and there where it seems to get better, but then re-accurs not long after it stops. It is really getting to me and my boyfriend because we can't have sex and if we do when it's not so bad it just gets worse. It is making me very depresed, sad, moody, angery, ect.... Please, if you have any suggestions or anything that could posibly help me I would apprecate it alot! I am 21 years old and it is hard to enjoy life when you have something like this going on.

[gabby35]

I hope I'm not too late and that you get to read this post.  I had a VERY similar situation happen to me 3 years ago. I'm 35, married with 2 kids.
I was told I had a yeast infection (without being swabbed) and told to treat it with Monostat and Vagisil. The 2 weeks later I was told I had some STD (no swab)and treated with antibiotics by mouth and vaginally and so on and so on.
I saw 17 doctors, got tested for every STD known and spent over $1000 in meds (which I didn't need) and finally a Dr. just out of med school told me to STOP using everything until I got tested for allergies to preservatives ect. and just do epson salts baths or sea salts baths.  Low and behold my vagina went back to normal within 2 weeks.  I patch tested for various additives and preservatives and I was allergic to everything that had been prescribed by the 17 doctors.  This had all started becasue of condoms and spermicide and Ky Jelly and Vagisil.  1% women are allergic to benzocaine (a main ingredient in Vagisil) and yes I of course started treating myself with Vagisil when it all began.  When I got patch tested with benzocaine it caused a almost like cigarette burn (over the course of 3 days) so imagine me applying vagisil 3x a day to vagina.  I was never allergic to anything but our bodies change and we need to be aware of what those changes are.
I use CETAPHIL(I think that's how you spell it) products they are the safest for people with sensitive skin.

This not only affects you physically but mentally and emotionally as well. I asked my husband to stay away (sex) from me for 5 months and my poor kids suffered too because of my anxiety and stress. Demand to be tested you'd be surprised what you find out. I have to read everything I buy off the counter including "hypo allergenic" products.  

Good luck and feel better.

[tiffljp]

Is it cold where you live? Did he have strep throat? One time my finace had just got over strep and we had oral sex.........For like a week I was so sore and couldn't have sex it hurt so bad. I do not think it is from excessive sex because as long as you have lube you can do it a lot with out getting sore.. Went to the doctor and he said I had gotten strep down there

[Still Scared]

Doctor,
Thank you for your prompt reply.  How long should it take for the irritation to go away if I leave the area alone?  Any recommendations on any type of topical cream, etc. to speed healing or should I just let it heal naturally without applying anything?  My doctors have all had different recommendations as to what to apply (powders, Cortaid, Vagisil, etc.) so I am a bit confused and so far none seem to be working.   Thank you again Doctor.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I agree entirely with your doctors.  Your symptoms sound like irritation from sex and obsessive self-examination.  I'm glad you have begun therapy for your OCD and depression--that is very encouraging, since many patients with your condition don't acknowledge the problem.  If a herpes blood test will help reassure you a bit more, ask your doctor to humor you and order one.  That will help, but the rest is up to you.  You deserve to enjoy your relationship and your life, instead of being consumed by anxiety.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff

[jte777]

Hang in there with the medications for OCD. It may take trying a couple of different ones before you get the right one for you but they do work and diminish the obsessive feelings. I was the same way, would get repeated reassurance that nothing was wrong,  but would still find things and blow them up until I thought I was at death