Monthly Vaginal Pain

[md1733]

I'm really looking for anyone that can offer some insight as to what might be going on with me...

At the end of March, I had sex with my now ex-boyfriend. We used a condom but did have unprotected oral sex. About two days later, I began experiencing what I thought were the symptoms of a yeast infection - redness, burning, and a slight increase is vaginal discharge. I used a three-day vaginal treatment but my symptoms continued. I went to my doctor and was tested for STDs (including herpes) and yeast/BV infections, all of which came back negative. My doctor did a vaginal exam and could see nothing irregular and nothing that looked like a sore or lesion.

My symptoms continue to reoccur every month. The only time I really feel any relief is during my period and the week following. I have been back to the doctor for two more visits with the same result. I am greatly concerned that this might be a herpes infection. Since the doctors can not find anything to swab, I have to rely on blood testing. (Does anyone know how many weeks you have to wait after your last sexual encounter to have an accurate result? I have read everything from 9 weeks to 16 weeks.)

I am feeling frustrated because the doctors are beginning to treat me as if this is all in my head. My pain is not overwhelming, but it is difficult being in discomfort on a daily basis.

Other information and symptoms that someone might recognize...

1. I was put on two antibiotics, amoxicillin and clindamycin, in months prior to this for other health issues.

2. I am on birth control pills.

3. I have always struggled with vaginal dryness. Using tampons was sometimes uncomfortable.

4. I have had bacterial infections in the past.

5. I have noticed flaky, peeling skin on my outer labia as well as a small fissure at the top of my labia. The fissure healed with an application of OTC antibiotic cream.

If anyone has any information that they can share, I would greatly appreciate it!

[mayflowers]

Sounds like it may be some type of contact dermatitis that you got from the oral sex.  Maybe even eczema or an allergy.  Doesn't sound like herpes but maybe someone on here with herpes could give you a better idea.  I just don't think herpes acts like that. If all the STD tests came back ok, then you've ruled those out. If it is "relieved" during your period, then that says that the extra moisture is helping.  Try using cold compresses to see if that helps relieve the pain.  Try wearing only cotton underwear too.  Sorry I can't be more help but I hope these suggestions relieve some of your symptoms.  Keep asking because I'm sure someone on here has experience with this.  

[md1733]

First of all, thank you for taking the time to respond.

I have done all that I can think of to help clear up my condition if it is skin irritation or some kind of allergic reaction. I wear only cotton underwear (always have) and I sleep without them. I changed my detergent to Dreft for sensitive skin. I wash with pure soaps and use pads made with more cotton. I do not use anything other than water on my vaginal area and I use a hair dryer to dry it off. I have also used a cool rag to help with the pain, but I might try wrapping an actual ice packs to see if that helps...

[medorita]

OMG- I think we have the same problem. I am struggling now to try and find solutions to this pain which I have been dealing with for three years. For a long time, I thought that it was excema related to my diet. But for a different reason, I just went off the birth control pill and the symptoms all suddenly completely disappeared (they have never completely disappeared like that, they just calm down or act up). Now, a few weeks later, they are slowly beginning to reappear and I am noticing through more research that they are in fact signs of yeast, even though tests come back negative.
The reason that there is relief during your period and right after is because the hormone levels in your body change throughout the month and affect the flora of the vagina, thereby creating less inviting environments for the yeast. However, you must entirely kill it. I have an appointment next week and I am asking my doctor for a prescription for Diflucan, an anti-biotic to kill yeast.
Also, check out the link below and see if anything rings a bell.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/WomensHealth/messages/674.html

Good luck!

[md1733]

Thanks so much for replying! It is comforting to know that there are others out there is situations similar to mine. If you learn any new information when you see your doctor, I would be very appreciative if you would post and share it with me!

I hope everything goes well for you!

[nicoley-oley]

have u considered stoping you contraception pill i was having the same problem month after month ... i stopped taking the pill and the irritation went away

[md1733]

Actually, I stopped taking my contraception pill this last month. I haven't noticed any change as of yet, but it has only been a few weeks. How long did it take before you felt relief from your symptoms?