Itchy for 3 years

[maryjane1975]

For the past 3 YEARS I've had to deal with an itchy, irritated vaginal area. Over the course of that time, I've seen a total of 5 doctors... my family physician, a gynecologist, and 3 dermatologists. And, in that time, I've never really gotten a straight answer as to what's going on 'down there'. I've never heard the term "Bacterial Vaginosis" or "Vulvodynia", but could it be this? Thing is, it's only uncomfortable... there usually isn't any visual sign of soreness.

The best way I can describe the feeling is that it's like there's something shoved up there, and it's irritated. If it's not that, it's itchy. The frustrating thing is, it comes and goes.  I'll be fine for a month, then it'll come back for a few days, then disappear for another 2 or 3 months. The day after I leave, of course, it acts up. I've had the swabs, the pap smears, the anti-depressants (one doctor though it could be sensitive nerve endings)... I feel as though I've done it all.

My gynecologist said that I should stop wearing jeans, as it was the dye that was causing the problems. I took her advice, and although it helped for a while, it came back (as it always does).

When this all started happening, I was prone to yeast infections; at one point I had a severe rash between my legs. And, on top of all of this, I've also been diagnosed with PCOS.

Plus, I have no sex drive these days.

So:

1) Can PCOS/Bacterial Vaginosis /Vulvodynia all be related somehow? If so, how does this affect my chances of having kids?

2) Right before my boyfriend and I started dating, he received unprotected oral sex from a female friend of his.  We've had unprotected sex too... we’ve both been tested, and we’re cIean. Could there have been something else transmitted during during his encounter? Something in her saliva that could be giving me all these problems?

3)I use birth control for my PCOS. Should I switch brands?

4) How big a factor is stress?

5) What about the sex drive loss?

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

It sounds like you have some type of recurrent vaginits which often takes the form of a recurrent yeast infection or recurrent bacterial vaginosis.  Vulvodynia is a pain syndrome with a different presentation so I don't believe that is what you have.  With respect to your first question, some women with PCOS are insulin resistant and are at an increased risk of becoming diabetic.  We do know that women with diabetes are more prone to minor infections such as recurrent vaginal yeast infections.  So maybe there is some relationship there.  

This is not related to a prior sexual encounter of your partner and it would be hard to determine how much of a role stress is playing in all of this.  And I wouldn't begin to fiddle with your birth control pill.  

See if there is a physician in your area who focuses on vaginitis.  Having one person sort through all of this with you will make things less confusing and repetitive.  

Also, I'd point you to the V-Book, written by Elizabeth Gunther Stewart.  I think you'll find it very informative and helpful.  Stay encouraged, there may be an answer.

I wish you well,

Dr. Downing

[honey1982]

well if you had a pa smear then you would know if you had bacteriasl vaginosis because it would show as soon as they looked at the cells under the microscope. as for the pain in the vulva area im not certain or about pcos. but bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection and it comes because the normal ph balancr in the vagina is interepted . cause  greasy fatty food hot baths, using feminie hyg. products, not drinking enough water, not keeping the vagina dry.  well good luck did they give any medication.

[maryjane1975]

Too many meds to count... amitriptyline, cortisone cream.. . I've lost track. :-(

[free spirit]

Even though vulvodynia tends to be just pain, there are women who experience symptoms very similar to yours.  Check out the yahoo groups vulvar disorders.  The women their may be able to give you some ideas on where to look next.  With a lack of sex drive, I would think a hormone panel would be a good thing to do.

I agree with Dr. Downing, The 'V' book is an excellent and informative read.

[HWTMom]

I have experienced the same symptoms as Maryjane1975. The itching has taken over my sleep at night, when it seems to be the worst. I have never had vaginal issues until I had a child. Now, it seems that I cannot get whatever this is under control. No doctor will diagnose my problem. In fact, they look at me like I'm crazy. They tell me it's everything from detergent allergies to the way I wipe. I have read all of the reccommendations and I know how to wipe myself. This problem is taking over my life. I need something to help me manage it so I can get back in control of my daily living. Do you have any suggestions?

[Madmaggie]

OMG! You are both telling my story!! I have had negative paps/gynys clear on all counts. No yeast no bv, nothing. I've been married for 16 years and monogamous so not from sexual contact. I've lived in three countries and no doctor in any of the three came close to a diagnosis. One doctor here suggested I had subclinical HPV, handed me a graphic page about genital warts and sent me on my way!  But I've since tested negative repeatedly for HPV.  I've also been told to stay away from scented perfumes, detergents etc to no avail. I've been itching there with no bumps or any kind of visible lesions for about 10 years now on and off. I do notice it gets worse nearer my period which might indicate some kind of hormonal involvement.
If men were suffering like this with itchy penises yuo would be damn sure they'd be a national investigation. Lets get on this ladies!!

[dannigurl]

i too suffer from some similar issues. i have been having the itching for about a month and a half now. it first started on my outer "lips" like an itchy burning sensation but no bumps or lesions. after a few weeks of the itching i went to my family doc. she did a pap and tested for the normal STD's all except for herpes because there were no lesions and she didn't feel the blood test was accurate for testing for herpes. anyways when she went to do the swab, she noticed some discharge and said that it was a suspected yeast infection. but i hadn't noticed internal itching at this point, just externally. so i took the oral medication for a yeast infection, in the mean time my pap came back clear of any STD's. well to much dispair my symtoms did not get better. my doc prescribed another round of the pill to cure yeast infections and a topical cream containing steroids and an antifungal... she also suggested to use an external yeast infection cream to aid with the itching.... well still no go! so at this point i am noticing that there is a discharge so i go back to the doc and she tests for bacterial vaginosis and the ph test came out clear and she didn't notice anything under the microscope. she also looked for yeast under the microscope too and saw none. she did mention that there is a yeast that is immune to the normal treatments so i am waiting on the results for that to come back! which will take a few weeks my doc says...in the mean time i am MISERABLE! because now the  itching is spread to my anal area as well! and there is a rash below my vagina and around my anus! now what could this be? could it be herpes? since i was not tested for that? would a herpes outbreak last about 6 weeks straight??? i do suffer from hemmoroids (hemorrhoids) and of course with all the itching and such they are inflamed as well! I am so distressed! my sex life is horrible because of this! i am traumatized! i am type 2 diabetic but i am kinda in remission because i manage my sugars without medicine and i walk so the exercise helps maintain my blood sugar as well... i was told that it was possibly hormonal. i don't know... my doc said that maybe i should see a dermatologist but i don't know... or should i go see a gyno? PLEASE ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

[2bfree]

OMG!!!  I have been suffering with this for about 2 years and have been to 3 Docs..they think I am crazy. same story; allergies, heat from tight clothes or yeast but it is'nt any of that .  truth is they don't know nothing about it. Yeah if it were a man with an itchy penis they would be all over it!  It is a horrible feeling and I have been in tears over it several times.

[itchyscratchy3]

I don't want to discourage you at all - but welcome to my life - now going on three years.  I have not slept more than 2 hours straight in 3 years because all night I feel like I am being attacked by bugs around my whole vagina and now anal area.   I have to leave the room constantly when I am out anywhere to go scratch!  It is totally ruining my life!  My husband thinks this is insane and can't understand what in the world is going on.   I go to my gyno every 3 or 4 months and tell them they need to do somehting.   But they havent.   I have also been to 2 other gynos and my dermatologist twice about it.   Same thing with me - they tried to say not to stay in damp clothes after exercising, don't use perfumed laundry soap, fabric softener etc.  I have tried everything under the sun.   I went 4 months straight without having sex with my husband to see if that had anything to do with it.   I have very course thick hair everywhere on my body and used to wax the bikini area - they tried to say it was that - shaving is even worse.   my dermatologist tried to tell me to just leave the hair - yeah right - I cant even wear shorts then in the summer!   They tried to tell me maybe genital warts - although no sign of that, or HPV - again no sign of that.  It is definately not related to STD's - they never really thought that - my paps have been normal forever and again - I am there VERY often.    I drink plenty of water - I am not prone to or had yeast infections - it is insane!!!   I cannot do anything ever without being interrupted by this horrible feeling - like I said, all of sudden it feels like my skin is being eaten by bugs.   I can't even get through a book that I am reading my kids.  I sincerely hope that someone can come up with somehting - I certainly wouldn't wish on anyone to have this go on for THREE YEARS !!   It started 2 months after my second son was born.    PLEASE HELP !!

[shandris]

WOW  I feel really bad for you women.... It must be terrible.....Im sorry this is happening to you. I wish i had the answers.. I hope they find out what it is.. And i hope they find a cure.. And you are absolutally right. If it was a man they would of had a cure years ago..... Good luck to all of you....

[dannigurl]

thought you might like to know... i was surfing around on here, and there was another woman who had the same issues as you're having i can't remember where exactly i read the article but she mentioned that she finally found out what was going on in her situation... it is called vulvar vestibulitis. i guess it's an over abundance of nerve endings. it might be worth checking out with your situation :-)

[annie944]

i'll do you one better - i've been itching for about 3 years myself. recently, during a bad bout last week, i tried three different creams at once and i think they reacted together because i burned the skin off the inside of the lips! now the area is raw and, being where it is, it can't get any air and rubs together all the time. the only relief i can get is to use cornstarch, but each time i look at it, it doesn't look like its healing --- DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS A TREATMENT FOR REPAIRING VAGINAL SKIN?

[mumma53]

holy moley.  That sux ladies.  I'm wondering if the presence of pubic hair makes a difference?  Has anyone tried a brazillian bikini wax?

[imtired10]

I have been suffering from the same problem you ladies have been suffering from.  Ever since I had my daughter 4 yrs ago I have had recurring yeast infections which have been confirmed my my fam dr, and my GYN.  I have been to the dr so many times I can't count.  The only diagnosis I have had is BV or recurring yeast infections.  I have taken everything.  But it always comes back.  This has taken over my life.  I can't even plan a freakin vacation with my husband because I'm afraid I won't be able to have any fun because of this constant problem.  What are we to do? Please Please help!!!!  I am going crazy.

[Madmaggie]

I think there is a difference btwn some of these conditions. The itching I have been having has been ongoing and without apparent cause for 10 years - I think what I and dannigurl and itchscratchy (LOL I'm laughing writing the names!) have is different to perhaps what imtired has where there appears to be a recurrence of yeast infections. I have never been diagnosed with yeast infections or BV or anything! It seems to be me the nearest thing that 'appears' to match my symptoms is vulvar vestibulitis and that appears to be very hard to get a definitive diagnosis on or a definite cure. I wonder if anyone here has gotten that diagnosis from a doctor and had any results with a low oxalate diet? They also recommend antidepressants - which I have been on for depression. I don't remember those helping my itching at all.

[free spirit]

Vulvar vestibulitis, vulvodynia, lichen sclerosis, vulvar dermatitis, lichen planus are all things that can cause itching.

Get checked out by a dermatologist to rule out skin problems.  If you have itchy skin or other skin problems somewhere on the rest of your body, you can get the same problem on your vulvar area and labial tissues.

Getting checked out by a gyn that works with chronic pelvic pain issues will be key in ending your suffering.    This gyn should also request a full evaluation by a physical therapist that works on pelvic muscle issues.

If your problem is chronic yeast there are a few things that you can look into. Your diet, is it high in carbs and sugars?  Have you been screened for diabetes?  Perhaps a long term course ( 6 months or so) of dilfucan or boric acid suppositories will help allow the vaginal environment to heal and be able to fend off over growths of yeast.

Also check out your daily habits.  Do you use Always brand products? These are notorious for causing allergic reactions.  Don't wear panty liners. Allow the area to breath with white cotton underwear during the day, and no underwear at night. Do not use any type of soap or 'feminine wash' to clean yourself. Use just warm water and your fingers.  No thongs! No tight pants.

You can use a small amount of olive oil, coconut oil or crisco shortening just on your lips to lubricate the area and prevent friction from making things worse. You could also try an epsom salt bath or a sitz bath to help sooth the area.  A cold pack for 15 minutes or so will also help for a while. Don't leave it there to long or you may damage your already inflamed tissues.

Don't treat willy nilly for yeast with out a positive diagnosis, i.e. either a visual on a microscope slide or a culture.  If the doc does a culture, ask him/her to have the lab type the yeast strain that is growing. This will make it easier to treat since there are many strains becoming immune to the drug in monistat.

There is relief out there girls. You just need to find a doc that knows how to really dig for the answers. If you don't find the answers you need from one doc, find another.

[maryjane1975]

Wow... it's nice to know that I'm not alone. :)

I've tried the anti-depressants too... doctor said that it was due to "sensitive nerve endings".

Didn't help.

[free spirit]

You need to incorporate physical therapy in your treatment.  If you don't address the tight muscles or pinched nerves that are causing the pain/itch in the first place, anti-depressants won't do a thing.  It takes a multi-pronged approach to conquer this.

If one drug doesn't work, another might.  The first drug I tried I couldn't tolerate at even the smallest dose of 2mgs.  The second drug I'm on along with a good pt has helped me enormously.  I do have those incredibly over active nerve endings.  Most of my pain is gone until those little buggers get hit with a little bit of friction.    The purpose of the drugs is to quiet the nerves so you can break the pain cycle. Once your body learns to relax instead of react, the discomfort will go away.

[1985]

I would like to seek help. I've been itching down there for 3 days now. When i looked on the mirror I saw red spots on the outer lips of my vagina.I'm not sure if it's a ringworm.It looks like one. Is it possible to have a ringworm on my private part? It is most itchy at night that makes me hard to fall asleep.. My sister also had this in between her thighs 1 month ago. What could this be? How can I cure it? How did we get this kind of disease?

[Shaz558]

I've had a wierd soreness on the right upper side of my labia minora and clitorus.There is no evidence of bumps or sores in that area, but it is very sensitive to touch... more than usual. The left side in the same area is fine. No Dr can tell me what it is. One suggested that it maybe due to trauma during sex, another one said its just dry skin and that i should use vaseline. I had a history of what seemed like chronic yeast infections, and i took medications for them. They seemed to have cleared up. Does anyone know what it could be?