I have no idea what I could have

[Kristen0215]

I am so scared. About 5 yrs ago I was diagnosed with HPV that I got from my boyfriend who had been my first. He had been with others before me. I never had warts thankfully. The last pap smear I got was clear. No more abnormal cells. Now just within the past month I have started itching around where my clitoris is and when I touch it, it feels really sensitive and almost like it's been scratched or cut. I have had numerous UTI's in the past but I wasn't sure if this sounds like it is something related to that or is it the HPV coming back or complicating things. I have the normal daily vaginal discharge but nothing out of the ordinary. It really itches and hurts. Some days I will be fine and it won't bother me, others it's non stop itching and soreness. I looked at myself with the mirror and it looks normal to me other then being red from me irritating it when I itch. What could it be? A yeast infection or something? I am too embarassed to go to the gyno about it. Can you or someone please help me????? I am desperate!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

From your description, there is no particular reason to be concerned that your current symptoms are related to HPV, which generally doesn't cause itching.  (This is a little controversial; there is a a syndrome called idiopathic vulvodynia [Latin for vulvar pain] and some belief that HPV may be a cause in some cases.  But this never has been proved.)  Your concern about yeast is realistic; your symptoms sound more like yeast infection than anything else.

But I can't help you further, and neither can anybody else based on a written description online or otherwise.  I don't understand why seeing a healthcare provider for symptoms is intimidating or particularly stressful.  If it's because you have a provider who has made you feel uncomfortable or ashamed, find another provider.  A good source would be your local health department family planning clinic, or Planned Parenthood; or ask around among friends and find who is happiest with her provider.  One way or another, see a health care provider soon.  Don't just sit around waiting for your symptoms to go away; they may, but then they'll probably just come back.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[mejoje]

I am currently pregnant and had the itching and soreness that you discribed but mine never went away it was there for a few days. Right before this started I had been to the doc. and he said i had a small amount of yeast whan he did one of the test ( sorry I can't remember which one). Start eating yogart incase this is what it is and call your doc to make sure.

[Christie2004]

I'm afraid you really should bite the bullet and go to the gyn.  Why on earth would you be embarrased?  This is what a gynecologist is for, to examine, diagnose, and prescribe treatment of the female genital tract.  This is what they do all day long.

I'd bet it isn't HPV, but some other common problem that could be easily treated if you would only go and get it checked out.  Incidently, HPV is nothing to be embarrased about or ashamed of.  Most sexually active people are exposed to it at some point in their lives.  

[Kristen0215]

Well I want to call my gyno I am just very shy about all of that sort of stuff. I have panic disorder so I get very stressed out when I call the gyno or am going in for a visit. I wonder if it is a yeast infection, did your symptoms go away? I am so freaked out it might be something else.

[bluebird05]

Make the call and get it over with.