Itchy for 3 years

[maryjane1975]

For the past 3 YEARS I've had to deal with an itchy, irritated vaginal area. Over the course of that time, I've seen a total of 5 doctors... my family physician, a gynecologist, and 3 dermatologists. And, in that time, I've never really gotten a straight answer as to what's going on 'down there'. I've never heard the term "Bacterial Vaginosis" or "Vulvodynia", but could it be this? Thing is, it's only uncomfortable... there usually isn't any visual sign of soreness.

The best way I can describe the feeling is that it's like there's something shoved up there, and it's irritated. If it's not that, it's itchy. The frustrating thing is, it comes and goes.  I'll be fine for a month, then it'll come back for a few days, then disappear for another 2 or 3 months. The day after I leave, of course, it acts up. I've had the swabs, the pap smears, the anti-depressants (one doctor though it could be sensitive nerve endings)... I feel as though I've done it all.

My gynecologist said that I should stop wearing jeans, as it was the dye that was causing the problems. I took her advice, and although it helped for a while, it came back (as it always does).

When this all started happening, I was prone to yeast infections; at one point I had a severe rash between my legs. And, on top of all of this, I've also been diagnosed with PCOS.

Plus, I have no sex drive these days.

So:

1) Can PCOS/Bacterial Vaginosis /Vulvodynia all be related somehow? If so, how does this affect my chances of having kids?

2) Right before my boyfriend and I started dating, he received unprotected oral sex from a female friend of his.  We've had unprotected sex too... we’ve both been tested, and we’re cIean. Could there have been something else transmitted during during his encounter? Something in her saliva that could be giving me all these problems?

3)I use birth control for my PCOS. Should I switch brands?

4) How big a factor is stress?

5) What about the sex drive loss?

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

It sounds like you have some type of recurrent vaginits which often takes the form of a recurrent yeast infection or recurrent bacterial vaginosis.  Vulvodynia is a pain syndrome with a different presentation so I don't believe that is what you have.  With respect to your first question, some women with PCOS are insulin resistant and are at an increased risk of becoming diabetic.  We do know that women with diabetes are more prone to minor infections such as recurrent vaginal yeast infections.  So maybe there is some relationship there.  

This is not related to a prior sexual encounter of your partner and it would be hard to determine how much of a role stress is playing in all of this.  And I wouldn't begin to fiddle with your birth control pill.  

See if there is a physician in your area who focuses on vaginitis.  Having one person sort through all of this with you will make things less confusing and repetitive.  

Also, I'd point you to the V-Book, written by Elizabeth Gunther Stewart.  I think you'll find it very informative and helpful.  Stay encouraged, there may be an answer.

I wish you well,

Dr. Downing

[honey1982]

well if you had a pa smear then you would know if you had bacteriasl vaginosis because it would show as soon as they looked at the cells under the microscope. as for the pain in the vulva area im not certain or about pcos. but bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection and it comes because the normal ph balancr in the vagina is interepted . cause  greasy fatty food hot baths, using feminie hyg. products, not drinking enough water, not keeping the vagina dry.  well good luck did they give any medication.

[maryjane1975]

Too many meds to count... amitriptyline, cortisone cream.. . I've lost track. :-(

[free spirit]

Even though vulvodynia tends to be just pain, there are women who experience symptoms very similar to yours.  Check out the yahoo groups vulvar disorders.  The women their may be able to give you some ideas on where to look next.  With a lack of sex drive, I would think a hormone panel would be a good thing to do.

I agree with Dr. Downing, The 'V' book is an excellent and informative read.

[HWTMom]

I have experienced the same symptoms as Maryjane1975. The itching has taken over my sleep at night, when it seems to be the worst. I have never had vaginal issues until I had a child. Now, it seems that I cannot get whatever this is under control. No doctor will diagnose my problem. In fact, they look at me like I'm crazy. They tell me it's everything from detergent allergies to the way I wipe. I have read all of the reccommendations and I know how to wipe myself. This problem is taking over my life. I need something to help me manage it so I can get back in control of my daily living. Do you have any suggestions?

[Madmaggie]

OMG! You are both telling my story!! I have had negative paps/gynys clear on all counts. No yeast no bv, nothing. I've been married for 16 years and monogamous so not from sexual contact. I've lived in three countries and no doctor in any of the three came close to a diagnosis. One doctor here suggested I had subclinical HPV, handed me a graphic page about genital warts and sent me on my way!  But I've since tested negative repeatedly for HPV.  I've also been told to stay away from scented perfumes, detergents etc to no avail. I've been itching there with no bumps or any kind of visible lesions for about 10 years now on and off. I do notice it gets worse nearer my period which might indicate some kind of hormonal involvement.
If men were suffering like this with itchy penises yuo would be damn sure they'd be a national investigation. Lets get on this ladies!!

[dannigurl]

i too suffer from some similar issues. i have been having the itching for about a month and a half now. it first started on my outer "lips" like an itchy burning sensation but no bumps or lesions. after a few weeks of the itching i went to my family doc. she did a pap and tested for the normal STD's all except for herpes because there were no lesions and she didn't feel the blood test was accurate for testing for herpes. anyways when she went to do the swab, she noticed some discharge and said that it was a suspected yeast infection. but i hadn't noticed internal itching at this point, just externally. so i took the oral medication for a yeast infection, in the mean time my pap came back clear of any STD's. well to much dispair my symtoms did not get better. my doc prescribed another round of the pill to cure yeast infections and a topical cream containing steroids and an antifungal... she also suggested to use an external yeast infection cream to aid with the itching.... well still no go! so at this point i am noticing that there is a discharge so i go back to the doc and she tests for bacterial vaginosis and the ph test came out clear and she didn't notice anything under the microscope. she also looked for yeast under the microscope too and saw none. she did mention that there is a yeast that is immune to the normal treatments so i am waiting on the results for that to come back! which will take a few weeks my doc says...in the mean time i am MISERABLE! because now the  itching is spread to my anal area as well! and there is a rash below my vagina and around my anus! now what could this be? could it be herpes? since i was not tested for that? would a herpes outbreak last about 6 weeks straight??? i do suffer from hemmoroids and of course with all the itching