What is this?

[SLEA]

I am 40 years old and female.  During my last menstrual cycle, I noticed that when I put in a tampon it really hurt.  As a matter of fact at the entrance of my vagina I felt really raw.  After my cycle was done, I noticed that the redness and rawness was still there.  I figured maybe I wasn't careful with the tampons?  Then after my cycle was over, I noticed a bump on my genitals, more on the vulva area.  They have spread, my skin feels raw, but the bumps don't have blistering crusts like the herpes pictures show.  It does burn when I urinate.  My friend thinks I had a really bad yeast infection or a UTI.  I used monistat and it didn't help much.  The bumps don't really hurt.
I notice that some stay small and some are bigger.  This morning I noticed some new ones.  I am totally freaking out.  I have been with two partners in the last 2 years.  Neither one of them have anything.  No herpes or anything.
What is this?  I take metformin for PCOS and I have had quite a bit of diarrhea too....could this be a side effect?  Or could I be having a reaction to a soap? or maybe the KY lube I used?  I am going to see a Dr. tomorrow.  But I wanted to get a heads up.
Thanks for your help.

[Dangergirl]

You might have Vaginal Ulcer's.  25 years ago at the age of 19, I had only one, but it sure hurt when my urine would hit it, it burned very badly.... I too feared herpes, but a culture was done of the ulcer and turned out to be negative. Prior to this, I had been sexually active with a man whose initial outbreak of herpes occurred simultaneous with his ejaculation (Big time Yell and not a good one :), while we were having unprotected sex (it turned out he had the sores inside his uretha and the next day, they appeared all over his penis.  He still blames me to this day for giving him herpes...don't know how I did that because I've never had an outbreak in my life and I find it pretty incredible that I've never contracted them...although I got lots of other health issues.      

In addition to the ulcer,I developed other symptoms which were similiar to those of Reiter's syndrome (blood test was negative) (Conjunctivitis, Arthritis, Non-Gonorrheal Urethritis) all of which was preceded by a few weeks of bad Diarrhea accompanied by massive sweats and then eventually a sudden (15 minutes) outbreak of erythema nodosum (which looked like welts on my shins and of which a biopsy was done, with no diffinitive outcome)and joint inflamation of my ankles, knees, elbows and wrists.  The doctor's believed that Reiter's syndrome like symptoms were triggered by a food poisioning which my roomate in college had at the same time.  

Don't know if this info will be of any help to you, I'm sure by seeing a doctor you'll hopefully some some answers and put your mind to rest.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Again, you'll need to see a doctor in person for definitive reassurance.

Dr. Rockoff

[SLEA]

I am curious as to why it doesn't sound like anything sexual?  I have two different partners on a pretty regular basis, so I have been sexually active.  I pray you are right!
I just have NEVER had anything like this ever.  Every day it seems I have one or two new bumps.  Does herpes act like that?  For the last couple of months I noticed I felt kinda raw after I had sex, but the bumps didn't show up until a week ago.  My partner is quite large and at times I feel irritated afterwards.  I am going to see a Dr. tomorrow.
What is odd to me is that neither of them say they have anything.  
Thanks for your help.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It doesn't sound like anything serious or sexual.  Perhaps you have some irritation, and the bumps are blocked pores are small cysts.

Rather than freak out, why not consult a doctor in person?  You appear to need at least some treatment for your probable irritation, not to mention diagnosis of the bump in order to put your mind at ease.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff