Vaginal and anal tearing/fissures

[lipstickiller]

Firstly I just want to say that I'm incredibly saddened to see so many people experiencing this problem with nary a hint of a solid treatment or diagnosis. I'm glad this forum is here for everyone!

I've never had a problem like this before and I'm not particularly susceptive to yeast infections. About five days ago, sex started to hurt really badly. I thought it was odd because I'd had sex with the BF the night before and was fine the next day. This time though, as soon as he finished my vagina was BURNING insanely. So I went to the restroom and found a lot of clumpy yeast and a teeny bit of blood on my perineum. I was bummed but assumed it was just a yeast infection. The next day I grabbed a Monistat-1 and it helped the clumpy yeast and itching go away after about 2 days. The tear on my perineum and stayed.

This may be my fault, but yesterday I decided to have sex again since it seemed like the Monistat had done its job. As soon as we started it hurt (not really really badly...but the pain was there) but we kept going. About halfway through sex we both realized I was incredibly dry...but kept going. By the time it was over I was in so much pain. It wasn't until the next morning that I really got a good look at my girl after using the bathroom. When I wiped, I got a tissue full of blood splotches (sorry, gross...I know). I inspected myself and realized I had cuts on my perineum, above my clitoris and on both sides of my labia. He really did a number on me.

I came to this forum just hoping for a simple answer or explanation but now see that this may be a deeper problem than I'd anticipated. Unfortunately, I'm supposed to be getting my period any day now...so am holding off on going to the gyno until that's over. I hope my period will help balance things out too...but if not, I'm glad to know this forum is here to help.

Best of luck to everyone.

[SisterShelly]

First, thanks to all who have posted comments/suggestions for the past few years.  I finally got through all of the posts (400!).

Here is my story.  I stopped taking BC in 1997 and haven't been on any since, except for the mini pill after the birth of my daughter in 2000.  I took it for less than a year.  I also had the interuterine (?) ablation done in May 2008, and I haven't had a period since (yay!).  Prior to that, I used to get a lot of yeast infections; several a year, all right after my period.  I think I may have had 1 last year.  I just experienced one, I believe, a few weeks ago after taking antibiotics for a UTI.  That was my first UTI, and boy, I don't want another one!  I had gone to my GP for this, so she called in Diflucan as I hate monistat.  It either did the trick, or that wasn't the problem.  It just so happened that my annual pelvic was due on 3/17, so I mentioned all of this to my gynecologist.  I was still feeling "not normal" and a tad itchy.  Just that morning, I had gotten the paper cut tears in my perineum area.  He said it definitely wasn't yeast, he tested me for low estrogen levels and something else that I can't remember at the moment.  Everything came back normal.
Here is the weird thing that no one else has mentioned.  I seem to get these cuts most often after having pooped.  I have complained for a couple of years that I can never wipe enough to get all the poop removed.  I now theorize that all the wiping is causing the tears.  This especially seemed true on the day of my gyno appt.  I had to go twice before my appt., and both times I had to wipe many times.  Presto - the tears appear.  About 15 months ago, I saw a G/I doctor about the pooping problem and how it tears up my whole bottom area.  His solution was to do a colonoscopy.  Everything was normal.  Even in my drugged state, I asked "so what's my problem".  Uh, well, I guess it's IBS.  I'm not sure I believe that.  And I certainly am not going to follow that diet!  You can't eat anything that's healthy or good for you, it seems :)  I tried the medicine once or twice, and it didn't seem to do anything.  
After seeing my gyno, he recommended seeing a Colon/Rectal doctor, so I'm supposed to go tomorrow.  I was going to cancel since he thought I had anal fissures.  After reading up on those, I'm sure that I don't.  However, I'd like to know what to do about the problem of having to wipe 10 times to (sometimes) feel clean.  Gyno dr. wanted them to do a biopsy, but we'll see.
I don't think I mentioned that I've been having these tears in the perineum for a few years now.  I could tolerate them before because they were so sporadic.  Now they seem to pop up more often than not.  Like others, my sex drive has vanished.  I was very sexual before.  I think we've had sex 3 times in the last month because the thought just sounds so painful.  Even starting out with lube, it doesn't feel good.  Not particularly painful but not pleasureable either.  I have tried pleasuring myself once, which I usually enjoy now and then, but even that was severely lacking.  
I think I really do have low levels of estrogen, even if the recent test says otherwise.  Thankfully, I have a wonderful dr. who is open to suggestions.  I have created a Word doc with all of your invaluable insights.  I am going to send this to him so that he will have it to read over at his leisure (ha!) before I come in for another appt.  I'm crossing my fingers that we can rule out a lot of things but running several tests.  I'm up to just about anything except that biopsy.  Yikes!  I've had enough pain in my lifetime, and I'm not doing anything voluntarily again unless it's absolutely necessary!
I will post back as soon as anything happens.  Thank you ladies for commiserating.  We have to look out for one another.  

[dgrabowski]

Dear Ladies,
I think I may have found a solution for myself and everyone. I have been dealing with all of the same issues and all of the wrong diagnosis for the past 3 years. I won't get into all of my issues because they mirror all of yours.

Last week, I went to see a UROGYNECOLOGIST that I was referred to. He told me he believe that the cause of the itching, burning, tearing/papercuts etc. was from muscle spasms of the LEVATOR muscles of the vaginal area. He said spasms can cause this type of itching.

I thought he was crazy. He told me to call the office when the itching was intense and they would have me evaluated by their PELVIC FLOOR THERAPIST. He also told me to stop using the steroid cream I'd been prescribed by my GYN. He said the cream only served to thin the skin and make the tearing/papercuts worse.

Last night I woke up at 4:00AM with intense itching/burning/throbbing. It had been building for days. I was seen by the Pelvic Floor Therapist at 11:00AM. She hooked me up to a machine that looked kind of like a ultrasound machine. She placed sensors on my lower abdomen, inside my vagina, and just inside the rectum. Within seconds of turning on the machine she said, "You are definitely spasming." She asked me to do Kegle-type exercises and some deep breathing.

The result is this... many women internalize their stress which causes the Levator muscles to spasm. The spasms cause intense itching or burning or both and a discharge sometimes. In addition, the scratching or rubbing of the vaginal area during the times of extreme irritation leads to the tearing/papercuts -- especially if you are using steroid-based creams for relief (as they thin the skin).

She gave me a treatment by inserting a small instrument into the vagina which sent electrical impulses into the muscles. It was not painful at all -- there was just a warm sensation. She also gave me simple vaginal muscle exercises to perform at home. I'm supposed to go back weekly for the electrical impulse therapy until the condition is under control.

She told me she had a patient come to her that had had this condition for 25 years and within a month of this therapy was pain/itch free. She did say that this is a condition I will probably have all my life but proper management will prevent the flaring.

Lastly, the Urogynecologist suggested that if I needed and extra boost until the therapy and exercises begin working, he could prescribe Xanex to use on an as needed basis. I didn't take the Xanex because I want to give this therapy a chance to work.

I have looked up Levator Spasms on Google but can only find information about problems with the rectum.

I hope gives all of you some new direction in finding a solution to this problem.

[fnkz]

First thanks for your post, second can you please tell us what are the muscle exercises that you were told to do at home?

[dgrabowski]

The exercises are basically Kegle "flicking" exercises. You have to do the Kegle properly without involving the abdominal muscles. Concentrate on squeezing the muscles of the anus as if you were stopping urine mid-stream. That's the way to isolate the Levator muscles. Then do the excercise as follows:

Take two full deep breaths through the nose and let your whole body relax. Then do a Kegle for 1 second (squeezing as tightly as you can), release and relax for three seconds. Repeat this 10 times.

The pelvic floor therapist says to do this 5 times between breakfast and lunch (not 5 sets at a time: 1 set of 10 "flicks"). The 5 times between lunch and dinner and 5 times between dinner and bedtime. By the end of the day, you will have done the exercise 15 times.

It's hard to remember doing them this often. She suggested wearing 5 bangles on your wrist and taking one off after each exercise as a visual reminder.

I'm going in for the electrical stimulation therapy (again, not painful at all) on Tuesday. She said once things were under control that she would put me on "maintenance" exercises that would not involve so many sets. I'll keep posting as I learn more.

[ireenshay]

I also have the exact same problem. Tiny, almost non-visible cuts (lik paper cuts) around the entrance to the Vagina and near the perineum. They appeared only a few days ago, for no apparent reason. They are not itchy at all though.....

I have been on and off antibiotics for 3 years with recurring pneumonia. Recently changing drugs to Doxycycline. You will soon see how this is relevant.....

I have had a few friends with the same problem over the last few years, all initially baffled by its sudden onset and lack of information about it. Luckily they did the ground work for me. My best friend has had this same skin issue and did everything humanly possible over the course of a year to source out the cause and fix the problem, it was affecting her sex life and long term relationship with her boyfriend. He was very patient and waited for her to figure it out - She did!!!! Finally!!! after seeing Gyno after Gyno.

OUR ANSWER!!! It is caused from excessive use of antibiotics and/or a particular antibiotic that just doesn't react well with your skin. There are many types of antibiotics... penicillin, diflucan,amoxicillan, erythromicin etc But certain types have certain side effects. The drugs weaken the tissue and cause the skin to rip and tear easily. For women, commonly around the vagina (labia majora).

So, what to do??? and why don't the doctors know about it??? You have to keep the area dry, so it can heal, but sometimes bepanthen or paw paw ointment is good, so you can at least urinate without the sting. Have warm salt baths, avoid soap on  the area and use anti-bacterial wash. Avoid sex.... I know, its hard but you have to. ... for at least 3 weeks sometimes more. In most cases the skin will repair itself. You can assist with bio oil, vitamin E capsules, evening primrose oil or omega 3 fish oil to help skin cells replenish......you can even open the capsule and rub some directly on the skin, when it starts to heal a bit. BUT, in some cases, like my BF's she had to get the skin removed from the area because it just would heal.

GPs see so many variations of different skin problems and STDs that they probably don't think of the side effects of the drugs they so easily prescribe! They are so pro-drugs that they dare not think it has such devastating reactions. Just think of what's going on in our insides, if thats going on on our outsides! Only a few Drs and specialists would be familiar with the actual cause, so, thats why I thought I should help bring awareness.. It's a real problem and I hope my insight helps.

Good luck, keep me posted.

[sealover187]

Boy, have I been miserable.  I stopped taking my 8-year long chemical: anti-depressant Lexapro, a S.S.R.I.

I was taking 20 mg a day 2-3 months ago, had an episode of depression, and followed my doc's orders to do do 40 mg a day.

After a lot of really bad sleepiness (not helping! missed work!) about two to three months ago,

I "tapered down" over about 2-3 weeks.  The last week, I was taking 5 mg a day.

Since then, I have been having digestive abnormalities of the worst kind!

First, it was constipation for 2 days, then diarrhea for a day or two, and then the constipation.  So this is what began 1-1/2 months ago.

Over the 1-1/2 to 2 past months, I've experienced anal-tearing and horrible anal itching that feels like "bugs" are in my peri-rectal area.  Horrible!

I've tried many treatments for this:
-Preparation H (topically and "up there")
-diaper cream
-mineral oil with vitamin a and d
-benzocaine
-tucks witch hazel wipes
-showering every time it itches.
Orally:
-codeine
-teamazepam (so I could get to sleep and slow down the itching)
-benadryl
-acyclovir (because I have herpes and I am trying to cover my bases now).

I've seen a P.A. and my doctor.  The first one gave me a pinworm test (negative).  The second one had me just "come back to see him if it didn't get better" (I suggested this is basically Irritable bowel syndrome).

I have started "Eating for IBS" a diet made by a lady online with unresolved symptoms.  So far, it has been the only sort of relief I've gotten, but the diet seems partially under-nourishing and now I have a cold and I think I have a herpes outbreak too. :(

I've missed a LOT of work because of all of these problems.

I have read three helpful documents online.
(1) www.eatingforibs.com
(2) http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Womens-Health/Vaginal-and-anal-tearing-fissures/show/25417
(3) http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060801/449.html

2 is that "anal tearing" can be the result of levator muscle spasms in the pelvic floor, and that I'd have to see a urogynecologist. 3 is that anti depressant withdrawal symptoms can last for weeks, serotonin problems, including downstream neurotransmitters.

So, I have to conclude
--it has something to do with serotonin,
--leading to IBS,
--meaning I have to "eat blandly" until I am healed "in the bowel" and "back there
--the stress has led to me getting a herpes outbreak.
--I have a cold because of the stress and/or the malnourishment of this horrible IBS diet.

That's it.  That's the only help I have for this right now.

Every night, I wake up or can't sleep because of the itching and "now" the pain in my lower right buttocks.  I use Ice until I can fall aslepp or some combination of temazepam, benadryl, codeine. Sometimes I get to sleep, only to wake up 1 hour later due to intense pain/ itching, leading to me praying and crying in the shower at least once a week.  I am so frustrated and tired over this problem.

It just doesn't seem right that my choices are
(1) eating blandly and possibly mal nourshing foods (i've already cut it the caffeeine, milk, dairy, egg yolks , whole grain breads, meats, chocolate...)
(2) taking an addicting psycho- active drug. (lexapro)

I am very concerned I could lose my job over this.  However, I don't want to start taking the anti depressants anymore because I think it's dulling my life and *obviously* it has long term detrimental psychological/ addiciton implications.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[InsaneSymptoms]

I too have been suffering from this problem, for about 7months now on anf off the fissures will appear and disappera, right now theyve been here for over a week and a half..
Im at the point now where its driving me insane, im in so much pain its ridiculous, i mean ive tried salvlon anti secptic spray, sudo cream, canesten, the lot and nothing seems to be getting rid of them. it hurts so badly to urinate im at my wits end.
Ive been to my gyn and am awaiting herpes results, although i am almost dead certain its not herpes, He told me it doesnt look like herpes and i told him my tears have increased over the few months rather than decreased (liek herpes)
when i was there, he did tell me i had BV so i took some tablets for that and a thrush tablet, he said they should bring down the symptoms, although the swelling of my vulva has suppressed, the tears havent.
im glad to no im nto alone with something as dreaful as this as i did think i was the only one until i found this thread, but if anyone does have any advice on how to calm the pain of the tears please let me no because i have had enough!!

[mags850]

Hey, I just began to notice a big cut down there as well, so sore and kills when I pee, I don't know what to do about it, I've tryed creams for yeast infection and it just seems to make it worse. It already is scabbing over but it seems to peal off a wee bit and bleed rarley. I'm not sexual active so I don't think it's anything caused by that! It came out of the blue. Some say It could be from using tampons? Maybe just from shaving? Idk I need help, the pain KILLS.

[shootmenow]

Okay here goes...In Dec. I found this site and read everything.  I took some advice here and there....I was so desperate.
Well after years and years of diahrrea, tearing in vaginal area, mood swings, depression, stressed out, no sleep, on and on....I finally have the ans.  I went into diabetic shock last month.  Once I got on the right meds all my vaginal symptoms went away, except I do use a vaginal hormone because I am menapausal in the worst way.  But I have something to work with now a diagnosis.  I even thought I had the worse case of Rosacia...but even that has completely cleared up.  My eyes were always full of scratchy stuff, my face was inflammed, my vaginal are from back to front was raw, diahrrea, ear aches, allergies, nausea, mood swings, anxiety ridden, sore joints, tired as all get out, miserable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get a AC1 test and see if you may have diabetes, I was tested three times over the past 10 years and I never had a consistant reading.  I was diabetic when i was pregnant 22 years ago.  I thought I would just try to give you guys a heads up....Good luck out there girls....its rough.

[norgyfrog8]

I have been searching forever to find anyone that has this and poof...here it is.   I am 28 and have had vaginal tearing for 11 years now.   I tear all over the vulvar area, perineum, and inside the vagina opening.   I actually have a 2in laceration scar from a tear down my labia.   Fun.   I tear from anything...sex...toilet paper...near my period...yeast infections...washing..sometimes there is no reason.  You name it and it will cause a tear.   I have had the estrogen cream, steriod cream, estrogen pills, permarian cream, different soaps, different underwear..no underwear, allergy medication, different lubricates.....  and so forth.  NOTHING WORKS!   I use lubrication during sex...doesn't stop the tearing.  I have had a biopsy and it came back and chronic skin irritation.  No kidding.  Blood work for hormone levels a few times and they are fine.   I have seen about 10-15 different docs and no one knows.   I am just relieved to find other people out there that are my age and have this.   I thought I was alone in this.   Has anyone ever tried testosterone cream?   The doc thought this might help.   The only I notice is that when i'm pregnant...the tears aren't as frequent.  I do know that this is not caused by a yeast infection or not enough lubrication or hormone levels being off.   I do not think that other medications are involved either.    I don't know if I will ever know what causes it.  Each year the tearing seems to be worse.    It is horribly frustrating though especially with sex.   Anyways, that is my story...if anyone finds an answer....SHARE!   :)    

[BBelle72]

your symptoms sound like my daughter and she has lichen sclerosis. it is treated with betamethosone cream and very successful. hope that helps. buy the v book . it will save your life.

[dgrabowski]

I posted back in April about finding my way to a Urogynecologist who then referred me to a Pelvic Floor specialist. I saw the Pelvic Floor specialist twice a month for 3 months for intense vaginal itching, papercut tears/fissured of the vaginal area including the outer and inner labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening. I have been performing the kegel-type exercises she prescribed daily. I now have MAJOR improvement. I have times, depending on my stress level that I begin to itch or tear. I increase the amount of the exercises and the problem greatly improves or goes away. I am currently having my period and for the second month in a row, I've had NO itching or tearing. Generally my problems are much worse just before and during my period. As a result, I am a much happier person and no longer think of my vagina as a pit of dispair. I also have a renewed interest in sex which had pretty much disappeared from my life because of the pain it inflicted. It's wonderful to be a willing partner, rather than just consenting and getting it over with.

I HIGHLY recommend finding a Pelvic Floor Specialist and being evaluated. It has changed my life.

[norgyfrog8]

I have researched Lichen Sclerosis.  I do not have any white spots or itching which are two of the symptoms.   I also had a biopsy done and it was not this.  So, although I want an answer...this one isn't it.  Thanks though!

[girlpower79]

After reading other women's stories, Im relieved that Im not the only one with such an issue, but I feel sad that anyone is expreiencing it
:(.   Thanks for positing  I had an initial really itchy, painful "outbreak" like everyone is describing. Seemed like a y.i. but when I treated that it seemed to get worse. This happened about 2 weeks after I started birth control (nuva) for the first time.    Gyno said the irritation couldn't be caused by the birth control, but I believe a bad y.i. could've been caused by the b.c. and then resulted in the irritation.    Took diflucan, which initially inflamed the discomfort but 5 days after completely cleared up. The gyno suggested Desitin (diaper rash ointment) for irritation and I must say it worked brilliantly.  
Currently I am much better though have one recurring fissure from sex.  Its frustrating.  I've never had a problem like this in my past. I'm 30 now, had a baby 16 months ago, have a VERY stressful life at the moment, and as I mentioned, am on birth control.  It seems like my problem began when I started the b.c. Has anyone else seen a correlation with birth control?

[rachelism]

Thank God I found my way to here! I'm having the vaginal pain problem for 1 month, go to several doctors and searching crazy online but to no avail.

I went to my gyn doctor he notice my vaginal has crack and suspected me with herpes. He gave me herpes cream and I applied it. The major cuts healed but i still feel some pain after toilet. When the pain strikes I have to sit still for some time in order to get rid of it. I don't think I have herpes because me and my bf only have sex experience between us.

Few days ago I realized that avoid stretching my vaginal can reduce the pain. So what i did was to hold the pee/poo and let it out very very lightly/gently. Because stretching my vaginal makes me feel the pain again. Anyhow sometimes I still feel a little pain after shower/toilet. I examined myself through mirror but I din't see any cut. Maybe they are tiny/ paper-cut like..

Also I don't clean very thoroughly on my vaginal. I just let some water run through it. If I open it I'm afraid that the cuts will reopen again.

Today I started and tried to apply some lip moisturizing oil. So far I don't feel the pain today. I'm going back to my gyn doctor if I feel the cut within this week.

[norgyfrog8]

I think mine could be related to birth control.   I noticed that when I'm off birth control it's not bad.  When I'm pregnant...I really don't have much tearing occur.   After my second baby was born...I didn't go on birth control for a few months after.   When I went back on...I noticed within 2 week, the tearing was back and bad.  I think there is some correlation.

[runnergal]

I had sex for the first time in three years last Friday. I didn't know the guy hardly at all. We had sex twice even though by the end of the first I was in moderate pain. During the second time, it felt like someone was ripping me apart. I let him go on but told him to hurry up because it was hurting like crazy. I couldn't sit or walk for the next few days. Monday evening I started to worry that he gave me an STD. I went to the Dr. and they took one look and said that I had severe tearing right underneath the vaginal opening. The Dr. told me I needed to wait for the tears to heal and to abstain from sex. She also told me to use an ointment with an antibiotic in it to help heal the tears. She then told me to use a lubricant the next time I have sex.
I still have slight burning/itching. It feels like it's going to take forever for the tears to heal. It's been 5 days and still no signs of healing.
My best advice to anyone that gets tears during sex: use lubrication!

[audreyhorne]

hmm, strange, i thought i had posted a comment but now i can't see it.  so like everyone else, i am so sorry that so many others have to suffer through this painful and mysterious issue but i was so happy to find people who could share and offer support in this seemingly never ending battle.  

i've had these annoying and painful tears for as long as i can remember and they happen whenever...even just sometimes when i shift myself when sitting or just about any time.  i've just gotten so used to having so many female issues that i can't even remember when they started.  the few points i wanted to share are as follows:

birth control pills - during a 20/20 story i heard recently about women who have inexplicable vaginal pain, the narrator mentioned that birth control pills thin vaginal skin.  does anyone know if there is any truth to that???  i am sitting here right now wondering if i should just stop taking the pill.  i tried to research that fact but found nothing...not even in the online synopsis of the 20/20 episode.  

for SisterShelly and anyone else who has these tears mostly when pooping, i have noticed that most of the time, my tears do seem to coincide with that.  about 15 years ago, i saw my doctor for something that seemed like hemorroids (hemorrhoids) and these tears and he said that they are anal fissues and that these and the tears come from aggressive wiping and pushing too hard when going #2.  i, too, have issues with wanting to be sure that everything is clean (for so many reasons), and at that time, truly understood why bidets were invented.  my doctor suggested only wiping a couple of times (i resolved that by using wipes instead of just tp or at least wetting the tp as much as possible) and also taking fiber so there is less straining.  i also read on webmd that these can be caused by diarrhea/ibs which all make sense.  also he suggested sitzbaths (can't remember how to spell that) but basically warm baths and compresses are supposed to help.    

but sometimes i get these tears near the front so it's painful to pee.  another doctor recommended carrying a spray bottle with water so you can wash or blot away any urine so the stinging will stop.  

i've had almost every female problem ever (well, a lot) and the things i can recommend for general care of our most delicate and sensitive area (and i'm sure many of these are obvious but in case they aren't, i hope this helps.)

- don't use any scented feminine products and be careful what you use down there.  ph balance is oh so important so try not to disrupt the natural environment.  anything can potentially disrupt the ph balance and when the ph balance is off, you are susceptible to so many things
- wear cotton underwear or anything fabric that breathes so that the vaginal/anal area can always be as dry as possible.  any excess moisture tends to lend itself to a lot of issues or any blocking of pores of the skin as well.  i have read that you can use a hairdryer (on cool air) to dry the area after showers,etc. and i read somewhere that you can even iron your underwear to make sure it's really dry.  i tend to stay away from pants in really hot weather.  also be aware of being in a wet bathing suit for extended periods of time
-obviously avoid anything that is going to irritate the area like underwear with fabric that is not super soft, underwear that rides up and rubs the area (like thongs).  
-neosporin helps with healing and mostly protecting the cut from urine or anything else like underwear, etc.  
- also having sex during your period can lead to yeast infections and other irritations

on the subject of herpes, i think i read a post by sue07 but it was a few years ago so hopefully she found out the correct infomation.  i've had so many issues, it's hard to remember all the details but i'm almost 100% that there is a blood test you can take to determine whether you have the herpes virus.  you no longer need to have an outbreak to be tested.  sorry to scare everyone but herpes is incredibly easy to get for a lot of women  and a lot of men are carriers but show no symptoms.  i got it when i was in my mid-20s from the only person i was ever close to marrying so we didn't use condoms.  he had herpes 1, the kind you get orally, except his outbreak was on his chin.  back then, it was possible yet very rare for cases where hsv-1 morphs into the genital variety but i have read that now it's very common.  so people be aware that if someone has the oral kind, that can actually be passed on during oral sex which is very scary.  

well, that's all i can think of right now.  hope some of that helps.  good luck and i hope we have some solutions soon.  i wish the best for all of you - hang in there - i know it's so painful and frustrating!  why is there SO little research on women's issues!  men have no idea how hard it is to be a woman!  i wish all men could just experience one period or one of these painful tears...they wouldn't be able to handle it while we have to deal with things like this all the time!    

[Lady77]

I posted this on another subject

Vaginal and rectum paper like cuts
Well I have been having two paper like cuts on corresponding sides at the top of my vaginal lips, also one long one at the side of my rectum, they have been there for about 2 months, I recently moved to another country so I was busy and tried to ignore this...  the cuts seem to get better until I have a shower then they open up again, today I notice in the vaginal folds/outer lips, a creamy white discharge... now I believe after looking at some pics it could very well be a yeast infection...

I was going out of my mind thinking about herpes and thought maybe my husband cheated on me but we are both deeply in love and faithful but needless to say the thought crossed my mind....  I think I should just go to the doctor and finish with this... but for those of you that are interested, here are some pics of yeast and the one with the long cuts looks like mine, my discharge is also located in the lip creases....

some more info, I have a toddler and before I delivered I was checked for Hep B, Herpes 2, vdrl, hiv, and other stuff, I was living aboard and apparently this was routine at the  hospital... everything was negative... so I believe my problem could be explained as yeast, check the photos below , copy and paste in your address bar, for some reason it does not show up as a link...

http://www.dermnet.com/thumbnailIndex.cfm?moduleID=18&moduleGroupID=545&groupIndex=0&numcols=0

[Lucey12]

I think your problem was having sex. If it hurts, wait 5 days (after using the monistat) to have sex again. I had a yeast infection last week. Although I didnt have the cheesey stuff yet, I used the monistat and didnt ahve sex for 5 days. Its all good now. No matter how much you want it, no sex, and not alot of soap usage down there.

[racheleveginsberg]

i just found this forum and haven't had the chance to go through even half of it yet because the thread is so long.  

but, to add my experience...it's been about 7 years for me.  my fissures are primarily at the top crease of the labia majora, probably once a month at least, and the skin irritations are around the same area.  

i've been living in italy for the past year where they sell pH specific "intimate detergent."  i've been using 4.5 and it has helped a lot.  also, having a bidet makes it much easier to wash more often, and, as i mentioned, the pH specific soap is a godsend.  i'm going to stock up before coming back to the us.  

i've also found that keeping the hair really short (or waxing it off completely) helps a lot.  the last thing that i've observed, kind of a silly thing i suppose, is that when i'm drinking enough water, the itching, dryness and thus the fissures are WAY less common.  good luck to everyone.

[kelcal]

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to know that I am not the only one with this problem! I have suffered from tears for 20 years!!!! It so strange through... sometimes they will happen everytime I have sex. Then randomly... won't happen. I remember thinking "Wow! I am having sex pain free!!!!" then feel inclined to do it as much as possible. Then randomly... boom... vaginal tear! Ugh....  painful sex again. It just *****!  The pain free only happens once every 5 years or so. It's crazy. I try to figure out what I am doing different but it's nothing. I've asked every gyno I have EVER gone too... Oh! You just need more foreplay!" I could have foreplay for hours... it's not going to make a difference! I just started excepting that this was going to be my life. It seems sometimes they are worse than others. Sometimes they take a week to heal, sometimes as little as a couple of days. It hurts so bad to pee. I've never found anything to relieve the pain. Yesterday, I went to the doctor for what I thought was Hemorrhoids but ended up being anal fissures. That is what led me to this message board. I thought if I am having fissures in my anus. (Like a bigger version of what's going on near my vagina) Maybe they are related! I've decided I just have BAD orifices!!!! The descriptions I have read are dead on... paper cuts! Exactly! Painful paper cuts!  Some of you have posted that maybe there are underlying problems... like taking antibiotics, diabetes,   etc... well... I've got nothing!!!!! Haven't taken an antibiotic in years! I just want an answer! Like some magical skin strengthening cream or a shoe horn! (Always thought that would work...lol! )

If you are reading these comments...PLEASE post your own experience! We truly need to bring more attention to this problem!!!

[kharyzma572]

Let me just say. Like so many others, I am glad that I found this forum. When you go to Dr after Dr, sometimes it makes you feel better to see others who have the same symptoms as you do and realize what you are going through. I too get tiny paper like cuts right below the clitoris near the vaginal opening, I got one before on the anus too. Some times I thought it was sex, now I think it may be herpes. but I think Im just freaked out about herpes, I had a boil a couple of days ago and thought it was that. I have a test pending. This will be the longest two week of my life, Any way I Think it(papper cut like tear/ fissures) may have something to do with vaginal irritation, dryness, sex, a mixture of things. Like one other person I also noticed some after I took a poop (not to be nasty but it was a really big bowl movement) and i think this in conjuction with the wiping may have something to do with it. Any way thanx Reading this forum has help me deal with my erratic mind while waiting for my test results,

good luck to all

[shaysims]

Wow,
I just had to put in my insight about this situation. The first time I had vaginal tears, I was freaked out that maybe someone gave me an STD. I went to the doctor, and got tested for everything under the sun and everything came back negative. He really didnt even know what it was. He suggested that it could be stress and try to keep the levels down. That was about a year ago. I am now battling it AGAIN! this really *****. I am taking a vacation to Orlando at the end of this week, and now I have to worry about this. I am scheduling a doctors sppt to test again to make sure I dont have an STD. these tears are so painful! the first time was the worse. I had them in my perineum and anal area. this time its just in the perineum. i think antibiotics does make it worse, so dont take it. wish me luck as i am going tomorrow to get rechecked. if he tells me anything new, i will let you guys know ASAP. lets hang in there ladies!!!

[Ald25]

I'm 99.9 percent sure it's lichen's! I tested negative the first time. If they don't get a biopsy of the right piece of skin, it doesn't show. I've had lichens since I was a little girl but I was only recently diagnosed. All the same symptoms...tearing of the labia, fissures, bleeding. It's a result of thin skin. Steroid cream helps reverse the problem. Please ladies get tested again especially if you notice a reduction of your labia minora

[Ald25]

I'm 99.9 percent sure it's lichen's! I tested negative the first time. If they don't get a biopsy of the right piece of skin, it doesn't show. I've had lichens since I was a little girl but I was only recently diagnosed. All the same symptoms...tearing of the labia, fissures, bleeding. It's a result of thin skin. Steroid cream helps reverse the problem. Please ladies get tested again especially if you notice a reduction of your labia minora

[Peanut888]

I had this same problem and read everyone's posts.  I finally got to my gyno this past week, and I was diagnosed with herpes.  I just want everyone to know that you should really consider the possibility that you have an STD.  

Batteries of STD tests cannot include herpes because it's impossible to test for unless you are actually having an outbreak, and even then only at the very beginning of the outbreak.  Herpes doesn't have to be sores, in my case it just showed up as small paper cuts on the perineum, eventually moving downward.

Please don't assume that because you have been tested you are negative!  I was negative on all my STD tests.  Gynos can't test for herpes until you have an outbreak, so you need to make sure that you go to your gyno as soon as you are feeling any symptoms at all.

[dgrabowski]

My doctor also diagnosed me with herpes. I later found out it was a misdiagnosis after being sent to an infectious disease doctor. A urogynocologist determined the cause of the itching and tearing to be from levator spasms. After a few months of physical therapy, am without symptoms except for right before my period if I am under stress. Look for a post from me "dgrabowski" further up in this thread posted on April 2, 2009, April 19, 2009 and July 31, 2009. It explains it in detail.