Vaginal and anal tearing/fissures

[arrowsmom]

For the last 6 months I have been getting tearing (look like paper cuts) in my vaginal area (1/4 to 1/2 inch long). I get the tears at least once or twice a week and they last from 2-4 days, go away for a few days and then come back. They continue to occur in the same locations;
1. Inside the vaginal lips on the sides almost always in the crease (between the labia minora and majora?)
2. Between the anus and vaginal opening (perineum)
3. Above the clitoris in the "hood" area.

This tearing is not related to intercourse since my husband and I are unable to do that due to the pain it causes me.  There is no real pain otherwise. I am getting some minor bleeding when I poop due to the tears in the anal area. The entire vaginal area is very itchy and if I scratch or rub the skin at all I often give myself one of these tears.  It seems as if the skin is very thin. There are no other symptoms that I am aware of.

I have had blood work and a biopsy done. Some of the things that I was tested for were; genital herpes, lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen planus, vulvar vestibulitis.  All results came back negative. The biopsy tested positive for "healing ulcers". My doctor does not seem to know what the problem is and is contacting a specialist in Lebanon, NH.

My Dr. prescribed an estrogen cream which did not seem to work. I have not been on any other medication for this. I am looking for some guidance as to what this condition may be and how to treat it. My husband & I want to get pregnant soon but I would like to resolve this issue first. Please help.

[pleaseguideme]

I have been having this exact same problem for months!!  I tried everything I could think of and nothing help.  I finally went back to the doctors yesterday and he hesitantly gave me a prescription for Estrace.  I am 30 yrs old, he does not think this is the problem but will let me try.  He also ran a test for a strange rare yeast and sent it to the lab. We will see. I'm very hopefully the estrogen will work, my skin feels like it needs some help rebuilding or healing. If not I'm to go see a vulva specialist.
Any thing else you can tell me about your situation?  How long did you try the estrogen, was it cream or oral?

[Animallover79]

What ever happened with the result for the strange and rare yeast?

[Myaa]

I have been having the same problem for a month, I thought it was because I very seldom wear any underwear. But after a couple weeks of trying not wear them no changes; I am still wondering if maybe I am allergic to my razor and gel. I tear all the time and the itching in almost everyday out of the blue it will itch so bad and I know I can't itch cause then I just tear and then bleed and then it just hurts more. I could really use some help, I just lost my insurance so I don't want to go running to the doctor, also I just was at the doctors and found out I have HPV could this have something to do with all the itching and tearing also?? Please help me I'm going crazy here!

[62mags]

Hi I've been dealing with this same problem also, for quite some time. It seems to be getting more frequent that I have fissures or cracks in the perineum area. I had always used witch hazel to heal up the fissures but that doesn't seem to work any more, in fact I'm wondering if I'm making the problem worse. I've been doing some research online and see that Drs. prescribe  topical corticosteroid ointment, also read about trying lanolin cream or hydrogenated vegetable oil, thought I'd give that a shot. The skin seems to be so thin and cracks very easily, I do experience burning sometimes during sex also. I also would appreciate any help on this matter.

[jnw]

omg i am so glad i am not the only one with this problem...recently i have had a fissure and it is soooo bad..i went to the drs nearly in tears asking for help..he gave me antibiotics and nystatin and triamcinolone cream  i have been on this cream over 5 days and no progress.  the fissure is at the top of the hood area and therefore cracks open again every time i sit down to pee or wash or get up from sitting on the floor..i switched to wearing boxer shorts all day and night and no help there..god does anyone have any helpful ideas?!!!!

[62mags]

jnw for one in that area I found it helps to keep it shaved

[candyce1]

Here's a group I wish I wasn't a member of but I know exactly what your talking about. It feels like a razorblade when you do something a simple and gentle as wipe. I almost dread sex due to the pain an knowing it will result in new tears. I'm going to see a new GYN in 2 weeks I hope he can tell me something.
By the way- I've found that Desitin(for baby diaper rash) works good at coating so air and toilet tissue aren't so painful.

[jnw]

me again..been to the docs again he put me on 20days of keflex and gave me two different creams ..the first one a nystatin type cream didnt seem to help much but the second cream has helped tremendously..its called clobetasol propionate ointment .05%  this seems to have worked alot by using morning and night..wearing boxer shorts only and during the day keeping triple antibiotic ointment on the fissure..hope this helps..finally getting some relief myself!!!

[kgr]

I'm really not sure if I experienced the exact same thing, but the paper cut-like tear is something I experienced after childbirth (along with anal fissures). It hurt to urinate and it was only one cut - I can only imagine the pain with many. I called my ob thinking one of my stitches opened. I went in and a suture was removed because it was not dissolving and one of the nurses suggested dabbing Neosporin on it. She said it would help to heal as well as create a barrier to help lessen the pain when urinating. This particular thing worked for me. The cut (in the perinuem) healed and I have not had an issue since. The anal fissures, on the other hand, is something I am still dealing with.  I went to a gastroenterologist and she put me on antibiotics and Nitroglycerin ointment. This seems to be working, but slowly. I also had a colonoscopy and upper-GI/lower bowel series which impeded healing. The Nitroglycerin gives you a bit of a headache, but it is better than the alternative. I also take Colace daily and stay on a high fiber diet and drink a LOT of water. I hope this helps a little - I didn't realize so many others are suffering from similar issues. Best of luck to all of you.

[cw04]

Thank God I'm not the only one with this problem.  I've been trying to research this all day because after going to the doctor she thought it was herpes, but the results came back negative.  I had a tear almost probably about an 1/2 long right between my vagina and anus.   It burns sooo bad to wipe, pee, if I move and stretch the area in that skin.  It happens after sex with my boyfriend, probably because sometimes we are rough, and there isn't enough lubrication.  I have to wait a few days until it has healed to have sex again.  The doctor isn't much help, she was hell-bent on thinking it was herpes.  If anyone finds anything out, or what can be done to stop these awful tear, keep me informed! Thanks

[rdlg]

I have had these vulvar paper cut tears for over a year.  It started the fall of 2002.  I didn

[lindya]

I experiance these same kind of lacerations.  The best treatment I have found is Balmex- a kind of skin protectant found in the pharmacy area with diaper rash items.  Other similar products containing zinc oxide were recommended by my doctor but cause intolerable itching.

[act19]

I have been experiencing the same type of vaginal and anal fissures for a few months now and I was scared to death until I found this forum.Just like many of you, I went to the doctor about three weeks ago and the first thing she said also was Herpes.She took a blood test and a normal pap and I still haven't received any results yet.At first I was pretty sure it was going to end up being Herpes but when I read the first comment posted and it sounded identical to mine, that made me feel a lot better.Hopefully I will be getting some negative results for the Herpes and a more positive solution to this problem that we are all dealing with on a daily basis. If I find any new discoveries I will be sure to share with all of you. Good luck ladies!

[oaj]

I have similar issues-i'm 19 and am going to the doctors this coming tuesday and i'm afraid they may say its herpes-i thought it was a yeast infection-i just got off of antibiotics and then this yeast infection, or what i htink and hope is one, came around, and i know that can happen.  but then i have some cracks  in my skin down below and some reddness, i sometimes have gotten cracks before, and thought it was maybe from stretching the skin from sex or something.  after reading these post i researched a little more about cracks and what they could mean to ease my mind in hopes i dont' have herpes(which i dont htink i do because i dont have any blisters or anything like that, just itchy and reddness and the cracks-the discharge went away).  I found it could be vaginal atrophy-but can it happen at my age?  also it could be a severe case of a yeast infection or vulvitis.  I'm hoping its something like that and not herpes, i'm really really really scared and dont' know how to handle this all-any other advice?  other background info on me, i got done having mono for a long time this may, and then i had a bacterial infection and i got antibiotics for that-which caused this yeast infection, i hope.  Also, i got bit by a deer tick, but i dont think it was on long enough for lyme disease to be a factor.  i work outside in the heat for 9 hours a day, and swim as well.  I live in a swimsuit on the weekends and i'm always sweaty from exercising-what do you girls think?  thanks!

[mindboggled]

I am so relieved that there are others out there with the same problem. I am at my wits end trying to figure out what this skin irritation is. When I read the first post It was like someone was reading my mind. About 6 months ago I was at work and went to the bathroom and did my business when i wiped it hurt and burned so bad so I looked at the toilet paper and there was blood. I knew I wasn't on my period so I immediatly freaked and called my GP. I got an appointment the same day. He said it looked like some kindof skin fungus and gave me this cream:Clotrimazole and Betamethasone Dipropoinate Cream. This made it go away. I went on with my daily business and it came back even worse. So I used the cream again and it went away after a couple of days. It came back two weeks later. Every time I use the cream it comes back two weeks later. So one day I couldn't even walk I was in so much pain. I called my doc to give me a referal to a Gyn. Well it was on a friday so they didn't get to it...Needless to say I went to a walkin clinic and they gave me the same cream as my GP and gave me this awful pills called FLAGIL. I went to the GYn a week later. She told me not to use the cream and to see if it heals on its own. She tested me for yeast and bacteria and all was negative. WHATEVER. I don't think she quite understands what this is all about. I used the cream two weeks ago and now it's back. My appointment is in a couple of days so I am going to try and hold off so she can see what I am talking about. I am also going to print out this forum so she can see all of you share the same problems. I was wondering if any of you have any other skin irritations on any other part of your body Other than your vaginal area?? I have the same irritation on my hand but not as bad as the vaginal area.
The cream does work it just comes back a couple of weeks later...I am going to try and get an anti fungal pill to see if that works...good luck to you all

[mindboggled]

I was wondering maybe we all have something in common, like something we do or have done that is causing this.
Breif history:
Army Reserves
2 cats
2 mini long hair dauschaunds
eat all natural foods and use natural products for hair and soap
married
water purification in home-Rain Soft
like to garden
25 yrs old
use Cheer detergent
had weird cracked scaly skin condition on my leg went to hand and now looks like it on my vaginal skin
remodling bathroom
excercise almost daily
Anyone else see any common issues...

[mindboggled]

I went to my gyn today...has anyone else had a skin biopsy done?

[marvina]

oh my god, i feel kind of relieved. i have had this fissure for about 3days now and it has been worrying me to death.  i have gotten on the internet and searched for information.  my regular doctor could not see me today so i had to go to a clinic because i was about to go out of mind. i have a cut just like the rest of you and my first thought was herpes, because that is how herpes can start off, like a cut. since i went to a health clinic i have to wait a week before my results will return.  i kind of feel at ease after reading others like me and thinking that it was herpes and you all found out that it was not. i do not sleep around, nor have i had many sex partners, so i am wondering how the hell did i get herpes. my boyfriend and i are always together, so i hope this man has not cheated on me and brought something back to me. he has no symptoms of herpes, nor does he have these fissures. however, i will take the advise of a someone who posted their comment, how their doctor prescriped clobetosol cream .5%. i actuall use clobestol on my eczema that is on my hands and fingers.  my hands get so dry at times that they do crack, so i put the clobetasol on it and it starts to heal in no time. so maybe it will work down there.  i have some relief......thanks all. please continue to post your comments and updates.

[marvina]

this comment is for oaj.  i just got off of an antibiotic and when i went to the clinic today, i did in fact to have a yeast infection, because of the antibiotics. i wonder if these fissures are related to some skin problems.  as mentioned before, i do have eczema and my skin does crack and hurts until i put on the clobetasol cream for a few days.

[lakerscutie]

I was so relieved to find out that I'm not the only one!  All the same things are happening to me. Maybe we all have something in common, like birth control or something like that. I use the ortho evra patch, let's see, what else. KY warming gel,tampax compact tampons, skintaminte shave gel, intuition cucumber-melon razor/soap.  Maybe I have it all wrong or something, it could be something that just happens. I haven't been to the doctor for it yet. I just went for a bladder infection a couple weeks ago, but now that I think of it, this was going on durinig my bladder infection too. I just want to figure out how to get rid of it!

[mindboggled]

Ask your doctor to do a skin biopsy...I did one last thursday and I will find out the results in 2 weeks...hopefully. My GYN seems to think that nothing stumps her so hopefully we will solve this mysterious skin disorder. I was also thinking that we all have something in common. I take Kariva birth control. I did use KY Silky at one point in time. I have a cyst on my labia. I have cats and someone told me that cats can give people a skin disorder I forgot what it is called but it comes from their feces(gross) I guess you get it when changing cat litter. I give them advantage and I thought that maybe touching that stuff could cause something. I am getting these cracks on the top of my hands. It starts of as little scabs but I don't understand that becuse there are no cuts or anything for it to be scabbing. and then it cracks and looks like dry skin.  I use aveno shaving cream for sensitive skin becuase i also had this **** on my leg. I use Kiss My Face soap (natural soap)...cant really think of anything else except I started getting all of this when we got our water softner put in...maybe it was just a coincindence.

[seakayaker]

I also am having this problem! I thought I had cut myself shaving or was having a herpes outbreak (unfortunately, I do have mild herpes...yuck) but this is completely different than my rare herpes outbreak. So, for those of you afraid of having herpes, this is probably not it. My herpes outbreaks looks like real blisters and don't bleed, these are def. like paper cuts...so I'm thinking it's my toilet paper that is the problem. (???)

I initially had two small lacerations and now have about 10-12 that are slightly bleeding, all on my perineum. This started about 2 weeks ago when we switched toilet paper brands. Went from a softer brand to a tougher brand that's supposed to be more septic safe. As of today I am back on the soft stuff.

Just curious if anyone else has linked this to toilet tissue brand? The only other thing I can come up with is that I am perimenopausal and maybe my skin down there is getting thinner?

I'm just glad to see I'm not the only one with this problem. I'm hopeful it's just the TP...

[Chriissy1234th]

I'm premenopausal too. I have become much cruise and feel less elastic...could it be this is the reason? Plus I've been taking allergy meds (seasonal allergies) doctor says that it could for sure cause my mouth,and eyes becoming dry and itchy, so why not down there,too? I'm kinda freaking out too cause my body is changing (53 years old) and being in pain is not fun...help

[mindboggled]

Nope...It's definitly not the TP...and no signs of being perimenopausal. I did a biopsy and hopefully I will find out on August 1st what this is and be able to tell all of yall.

[Sue07]

I've also had the same problem, about a year ago I got a nasty yeast infection, and i was misdiagnose with herpes with out even been tested. This stupid doctor told me that she thought that I might have herpes, she gave me a list of clinics where I could go and get tested. I called every single one of them and they all answered the same thing " we can

[chuck314]

As an FYI: Your doctor is incorrect. being able to insert the spatula/tampon is BY NO MEANS an accurate method of diangosing herpes. is she on crack????? It is possible to only experience herpes lesions on the external genitalia.