Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Vaginal lesions

I am 36 years old and have had the same partner (faithfully)  for 11 years.  About 10 years about I started having these sores develop in my vaginal region.  They almost looked like little blisters.  I will just call them Vaginal lesions.  When they are about to show up the area will start to itch and burn slightly.  Then the vaginal lesion arrives there is considerable pain.  It will last for about a week then go away.  When they first appeared I would get one or two at a time then they would go away, but a couple of weeks later a would get another.  I was miserable.  Through the years
they have lessened.  Last year I only had one and now, about a year later, I have another. OB/gyn
262 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi everyone. I have recently discovered a condition called estrogen dominance which can explain all of these symptoms(usually occurs in women as they enter their 30s/40s). Please google it, there is a ton of new information there. It is believed to be linked to premenopause & it seems a progesterone supplement (and other natural suggestions) can help. Also of note, many other symptoms you may not have related to this particular concern are related... Such as headache, nausea, Pms intensity increase, leg pain, vaginal secretions (both dry & wet problems), appetite changes/cravings, changes in menstral cycle, fatigue/exercise intolerance (not being lazy, but muscles burning and having no lasting energy), blood pressure changes, gum disease, etc. It's been very enlightening for me, I hope it answers some of your questions as well.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have lesions on my vagina all over and my gyno always asks me if ive been pierced down there but I have not(ouch) but they itch a lot. If you have ever had a piercing, they are usually smelly when you remove the jewelry and that's exactly the way they smell. It's so embarrassing. I also have hpv which may be the cause of these lesions as I'm learning, but I'm also having rashy outbreaks near my butthole and around my vagina that itch so bad sometimes I itch them to bleeding. It's horrible and all I can do is put Cortisone on it every day otherwise it gets bad again. I was also curious, is it normal to have your undies turn yellowish in the crotch area? It's embarrassing and I don't like my boyfriend to do my laundry because of that, is there any way to get the stains out or is it even normal??? Nice to know I'm not the only one with a f*%$ed up vagina....
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I have lesions and in and around my vagina. Have tried a lot of creams to heal them with but no luck. Remembered using Bag Balm on my kids rashes, it worked great for that so I decided to try it on my lesions. So far, so good. Less than a days worth of use and it burns less when I urinate.
Avatar universal
what is the name of the cream?  and does it have to be prescription?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ladies.....
Stay calm! I have been going through hell with this same EXACT thing. I finally found a doc. that was able to help me. It's a skin disease called Lichen Sclerosis (LIE-kun skluh-ROW-sus) . I have had this for years and after a ton of research and about 7 diff docs. I went to a new Dr with my medical records in hand and DEMANDED a punch biopsy be done to examine the tissue that was being effected.  A week later my results were back and AMEN it has a name and treatment. You may be stuck with the condition for years to come but you can get relief.
symptoms may include:

Itching (pruritus), which can be severe
Discomfort, which is generally greater if lichen sclerosus appears on or around your genital or anal areas
Smooth white spots on your skin that may grow into blotchy, wrinkled patches
Easy bruising or tearing
In severe cases, bleeding, blistering or ulcerated lesions
Painful intercourse

The exact cause of lichen sclerosus isn't known. However, the condition may be related to a lack of sex hormones in the affected skin or to an overactive immune system. Previous skin damage at a particular site on your skin may increase the likelihood of lichen sclerosus at that location.

Although lichen sclerosus may involve skin around your genitals, it isn't contagious and cannot spread through sexual intercourse.

Lichen sclerosus occurs most often in postmenopausal women, but it also occurs in men and children. In women, lichen sclerosus usually involves the vulva. In boys and men, uncircumcised males are most at risk, because the condition generally affects the foreskin.
Severe lichen sclerosis can make sex extremely painful for women because itching and scarring may narrow the vaginal opening. In addition, blistering may create extremely sensitive skin to the point that any pressure on the area is unbearable.

Corticosteroid ointments or creams are commonly prescribed for lichen sclerosus. Initially, you'll generally have to use cortisone creams or ointments on the affected skin daily. After several weeks, your doctor will likely recommend that you only use these medications twice a week to prevent a recurrence. Your doctor will monitor you for side effects associated with prolonged use of topical corticosteroids, such as thinning of the skin.
If corticosteroid treatment doesn't work or if months of corticosteroid therapy are needed, other treatments your doctor may prescribe include:

Immune-modulating medications, such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel).  Topical sex hormones are sometimes prescribed to treat lichen sclerosus.
For men with lichen sclerosus on the foreskin, removal of the foreskin (circumcision) is a common treatment in cases resistant to other therapies or more advanced cases. Surgery in the genital or anal area generally isn't recommended for women with lichen sclerosus because the condition may just come back after surgery.

GOOD LUCK!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Latersbaby
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have a concern in my vaginal area between my vagina and anus it burns kinda itches and its dry .. I was looking on the internet and it said it can be herpes is this true?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This all sounds so familiar! I agree it at first felt like razor or paper cuts to one of my vaginal lips and it has gotten so much worse. It's been at least two years since they have gone away at all, they used to come and go but now I think they're here for good. It is more painfully and discouraging and itchy and depressing and embarrassing etc, than I can say. I am 40, had a radical hysterectomy at 30 due to Endometriosis, I had both of my kids by C section. Married for 20 years, with no extra partners. I have been diagnosed with Lupus, Rhuemetoid Artheritis and Sjogrens. In the last year I have had sex twice and both times spent weeks afterward in even worse pain than usuall. Sex is not worth it to me. This is ruining my marriage and has destroyed my confidence. I find that an extremely hot soak in the tub helps a little. Zincofax brings some relief, sometimes. Also Canesten vaginal cream has a numbing affect, which is very welcome at times. Some of the other vaginal creams burn like %#@. I take Premarin, hormone replacement pills, Plaquinil, and numerous other MARDS for all my auto immune issues. Please if anyone has any help for me and the rest of these ladies, or you need a friend who understands what you are going through, my name is Tina and you can email me anytime; ***@****
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi guys, I am 23, have been married for 2 1/2 years and been with the same man for almost 5 years. I have the mirena so we dont use any other form of birth control. I frequently get yeast and bacterial infections and have battled with those for several years. I now take probiotics and make sure i rinse before and after sex along with urinating. I don't use any hards soap with washing and i have used the same laundry detergent for years. I do not have periods, maybe some brown or pink discharge for a couple days a month but the mirena has made them almost disapear. I noticed the other day that i was starting to itch down there, from my vagina all the way to my butt. I thought i was getting another yeast infection but thought it was strange that i didnt have thick white discharge with little yeast spots. That night the itchy was unbearable and i started to swell, 2 days later i had my well woman check up and told my gyno what was going on. He said i didnt have a yeast or bacterial infection and that it was itching from extra moisture. It wasnt only itching but it was extremly soar and swollen. He pretty much dismissed me and i went home and did everything i could to keep my vagina area dry and breathable. Here it is 4 days later and i have what looks and feels like paper cuts on my inner labias. The spots are red and burn so bad when i pee. I dont have an std obviously or an infection so why is this happening? I tried monistat for the itch and preperation h for the burning, nothing helps and its getting worse. It wont go away. I have had itching and burning with an infection but why now without one? I have googled and googled for answers but can't find one. It hurts to sit and pee and it itches at night. Im miserable! Will this go away or do i have to live with this? I havent been under an abnormal amount o stress so i can't find a logical answer. I also do not wipe since this has happened i use a squirt bottle after i pee to cleanse the area. I hope someone can please help me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i also had same problem from 1 month ... what i did two days before that i put two teaspoons salt in 6 glass of water and started drinking all of it ... it lighten the pain .... the next day i again did the same procedure and now the whole of the pain , itching, and burning is gone .... plus now there is no bad smell coming from my urine.. i m happy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a similar problem, but mine hurts during sex, i feel discomfort while doing it, i dont kno what to do ive been having this for 3 yrs already and i hate it cuz i cant last for sex or sometimes i cant even have no sex at all. it comes and goes too but it last more than when its gone... I feel itchy and swollen all the time n when i look at it itw just red. Sometimes i do c the little blisters, sometimes i cry cuz i cant take the pAin during or after sex tht i make my husband feel bad for doing it.. i always want  to do it, i enjoy my husband alot but for tht reason i dont n i dont even try it no more, this problem is causing me problems w/ him already bcuz he thinks tht im not attracted to him which i am but its hard to get in the mood knowing is gonna hurt you... Can some 1 help me please??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm a 32 yr white female blond bleu euyes and a history of sensitive skin.  I have a an almost 2 yr old (vaginal delivery).  Back in October 2011 I noticed it was painful to have sex- we had been using condoms since the birth of my son.  During my periods I noticed it was too painful to use tampons.  After seeing the doctors at Emory 4 times since December all my tests came back negative.  I don't have HPV, other cancers, STD's including vaginal herpes (although I've had cold sores since the age 0f 12).  I did see a specialist who prescribed me cortisone supositories but they only moderatly helped.  He told me it was either Vaginal Lichen Planus  or Vulvovaginitis he told me if I got preganat it would help (how do you have a baby if sex is too painful).  Anyay, I'm going back for 5th visit on Friday and I plan to ask about the strep.  I'm glad I'm not alone.  best wishes to all!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I cannot believe all the people who are dealing with this. I have had this same issue for 19 years. I cannot date or have sex or kids. I have been to more than 30 doctors, dermotologists, std clinics and every kind of specialist you can think of and have been told that it is "all in my head" which would be great, except that any sexual partner I have gets this from me, and when we are no longer together, they get over it. So it's clearly me. I feel totally disgusting, and confused. I have done a pretty good job so far at keeping myself from falling in love,and convincing myself that I want to be alone,  but I met someone recently that I could be with for ever but I am not willing to expose him to this. It sounds really bad to say, but I am so relieved to see other people with this condition. I was starting to feel like I was the only one.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
my daughter is five i gave birth vaginally but later on i find out i have herpes now i am so scared because i dont know if i gave her herpes , i never had an my vaginal i had them on my buttocks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow I'm also very fair skined blonde almost whit hair and sensitive to so many things and I too have the exact same problem but my Dr says I could b allergic to semen I am currently not sexually active but am 26 with 3 kids if anyone has any other ideas email me at ***@**** ty
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was put on antibiotics for strep in jan. after i finished the antibiotic therapy i started itching. i assumed it was a yeast infection since everythime i take antibiotics i get one. so i got the doc to call in (i forget the name of the pills) but there are 3 lil pills that balance the yeast in your body. anyways i continued to itch. but the thing is i haven't had sex since i broke up with my bf last july. i have no drainage, no odor, and it is in the same place. i don't belive it's an std. no pubic hair grows in that area now ( idk if it's from scratching or what) i did go to my doctor today( he didn't even examen me) but he said he thinks it's a fungus that i could have gotten from a public toliet seat. so he refered me to my gyno. i too am freaking out. and tired of suffering. so i will be going to my gyno the first of next week. this ***** soooooooooo bad.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too have been dealing with these types of issues for 10 years. I had periods of itching and burning and painful sex. II was tested for stds back then..negative. I was then told I had vulvadynia. I went through all kinds of treatments that didnt work. I then suffered through it until I had my 2nd baby. While having my baby I messed up my pelvis. So I had to go for physical therapy. While there my pt told me she specialized in pelvic floor disorders. So she then worked to help me with my vulvadynia. I worked with her for about 20 weeks. She then released me bc she taught me all she could to help it. A few weeks later I started getting these cuts on my labia. Which my mother told me she had at the same age that I am. So I thought nothing of it. I had a check up with my Gyno recently and she swabbed the cut. I was told I have type 2 herpes. I have been with my husband for 9 years. So...were all of my issues from herpes??? Or do I really have vulvadynia. I am going to a new Gyno next week. I need answers!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too have the same problems....which always appear after sex....I have been doing research since finding out the I have strep B which is located in the intestines, vagina, and anal areas. I would never have know this except they test for this form of strep during pregnancy. Do any of you know if you also have strep B . I was thinking that these lesions could be an effect of this form of strep.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Im a young black woman i experiece the same horrid sores i.thought it was herpes but my.dr.says it isint im confussed.as to how im supposed to go on like this it hurts so bad sometimes its.hard.to.walk n sleep some of u ladies with.the same.condition please give me pointers how u control the.symptos. Im DESPERATE!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sounds like piles/haemerroids
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey was wondeing how that turned out for you?  Was it Herpes or Syphilis?  Im going through the same thing and mine sound like yours.  Would like to hear how you made out?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
For the last seven years, I've been struggling with labial leisions, much like those described by others in this thread. My first "flare-up" happened when I was 12 years old. I was then-- and remain-- a virgin, so doctors were puzzled as to a cause or trigger. The tissue of my labia began to go necrotic from the leisions. I was in the hospital for about a week while the doctors tried treatements and brought in specialists.  

The most effective medical regimen my doctors have found is a perscription of Prednisone, Clindomyacin, and Cipro.I had a labiaplasty at 17 with the hopes to reduce flare-ups, however, that did not stop them from happening.  There's been no cure, nor has their been an actual diagnosis. My case was particularly boggling since both my sister and I suffer from similar symptoms, which began at the onslaught of puberty for each of us and has not quit to this day.

The prevailing theory at present is that something happens to my pH levels when I am menstruating, however, I think other factors are at play. I've noticed, particularly now that I'm 20 and my flow is regular, that these flare-ups happen not only around that time of month, but also when my immune system is otherwise weak-- when I'm already suffering from a cold, the flu, or even high levels of stress.  I'm currently having a flare up that coincides with both a sinus infection and the start of Spring Semester. Another thing to bear in mind is family history of PCOS. Even if you've never had a cyst, check with your mothers, aunts, and/or grandmothers. PCOS is rampant in my family and my doctors think there might be a link.

While I, like many of you, am looking for answers, I found something in this thread I had not found previously: a group of people experiencing the same things I've been struggling with for years. Since I was in middle school, I've thought that there must be something wrong with me-- and my sister, too-- and that we were alone in our situations. Because my father is in the military, I've been treated only by military doctors; prior to our cases, none of them had seen anything like this. However, I'm getting a sense that this is a more common problem than I've ever believed. Tomorrow, I'm calling my civilian doctor to schedule an appointment and/or get a referral to a civilian gynocologist for the first time. Thank you for giving me that courage.

I wish all of you luck in your quests to get better!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had these lesions as well.  Mine started with getting herpes from a creepy predator.  Thats a whole different story. I also am in menopause. If anyone is needing to know if you have herpes. It starts out with wiping after peeing. You feel , well, it might be possible i have a bladder infection.  So i waited hoping it would go away cuz sometimes it did...when it was a pee thing. Kept having difficulty untill a week after sex i took a shower and the soap was burning me like crazy. So i just flushed it with water and it was better. I looked at it in a mirror and the two spots i did feel itchy and dry and burning the most.. had tiny red bumps with white heads like pimples. You can have herpes all over and still only have a couple spots on you.   People (mostly guys ) can be carriers and never no it. Hope that helps !
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Amazing to learn I am not alone . . . I am in my 70's, a monogamous marriage, no history of STDs or reason to expect what looks and feels like an initial outbreak of genital herpes, but how could that be? Extremely painful. I'm waiting for test results. Meanwhile taking acyclovir and using lidocaine ointment . . . very painful to apply! . . . but less painful than before I started the pills. I also have fibromyalgia, and hadn't considered a possible connection. I was single for 18 years between my two marriages and was involved with someone, but that was almost 20 years ago! Can herpes be dormant that long? What else looks and feels like herpes? I remember when we thought AIDS was a prostitutes disease, and then we thought it was a gay disease, until we finally learned that it can be transmitted by anyone to anyone without sexual contact at all, just something like a shared needle, or a soiled handkerchief . . . there's still so much we don't know. I'm interested in all information from those who have found their answers. For starters, I think switching to 7th Generation toilet tissue makes a lot of sense, and I will do that.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It could also be lichen sclerosis.. A biopsy can determine for sure
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Women's Health Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.