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Causes of redness/fissures of vulvar skin

Hi there,

I have had symptoms since last June (07) that I have had all infectious conditions ruled out. I am now looking at biopsy of the vulvar skin to uncover some answers, so I wanted to post here to see if any other women have gone to a dermatologist and had results. I have posted on the women's health forums here, but since i have ruled out std's, fungus, bacteris, yeast, hormone levels, strep-B, etc etc, this is clearly a skin issue.
What happens is that I get occassional redness and mild itching of the vulva. My Dr. has observed that my cervix is also reddened at these times. I get a recurring fissure that is located in a natural skin fold next to my clitoris, and one that appears sometimes on my perineum. I have also had what feels like a fissure on my anal area, it will burn and bleed a little when I wipe.  My gyn prescribed a zpak when I also (in october) began having a thick discharge with elevated white cells. ALL tests were done, no answers. Meds do not affect it.
My reproductive endocrinologist tested my hormones, cortisol, tsh, etc etc- all normal. I do have anti-thyroid antibodies as well as antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, which are both auto-immune diseases. I am asymptomatic for both.
WHAT on earth could be causing my symptoms above??? I am not looking forward to a biopsy, but I am wondering if it is Lichen Sclerosis? The redness and fissures do respond to Clobetasol treatment. In fact i went for 6 weeks without a "flare" from mid-november 07 to January 08.
Anyone have ideas?
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Avatar universal
haven't been on any hormonal birth control in about 12 years and my symptoms started about 2 months ago. They come and go, negative to STD's. one fissure heals and another one appears ... very frustrating. Currently trying probiotics for women  ( from a natural medicine/ health store). Also started supplementing with silicea tabs ( supposed to help with skin conditions) and a natural remedy for yeast infections... So far a week into it, not much has changed and it is worse since my period started.
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Avatar universal
I have had the splitting problem for several years now.  Burns like heck when I go to the bathroom.....heals in a day or two but splits every time I have sex.  I have gone long periods of time with no sex because the burning splits hurt that bad.  Fortunately husband is supportive.  He has seen the split and is understanding, thank God.  But still, it's no way to live.  I have found that Organic Coconut oil works wonders.  It is a great lubricant for sexual activity.  I apply it every time I go to the bathroom.....all day long.....too.  No soap used for washing.  I use the Cetaphil moisturizing wash only.  no rough wash cloths or towel drying.  Hope this helps others.....
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Avatar universal
I have had similar problems as a lot of you. It started out as redness and slight itching. There was a small thin red line right in the middle of the skin above the clitoral hood. When I touched it, it stung like a paper cut but the skin wasn't broken. I put vaseline on it, thinking maybe it was an irritation from dryness and from intercourse. The vaseline helped but I didn't want to have to keep putting vaseline on every day, so I thought I would try a cream from the drug store for vaginal itching. MADE IT WORSE! After about a week of using the cream, the skin actually split open. No bleeding, but it still stings and I don't want it to get worse. I have an appointment to see my gyno in a couple of weeks, but am not too hopeful after hearing the rest of you say you haven't received much help in that direction. I do have something called endometriosis, but I've had it under control for a few years. It can cause a hormonal imbalance though, especially for women like me who treat it by taking birth control consistently without stopping for a period (doctor recommended).  When the skin actually split open, I put vaseline on it again to moisturize and protect it, and the next morning it looked so much better. This is leading me to believe that it is possibly a dermatologic skin problem. Maybe a dryness issue which gets further irritated when it rubs against underwear and clothing... so the vaseline in that case would help protect the area and keep it from becoming irritated. I will keep using the vaseline for now if that is what's going to help, but I'd love to find a better solution that doesn't require me to carry a thing of vaseline with me everywhere. I already am good about taking daily vitamins, but maybe I'll add in some extra Vitamin C and see if that helps. I'm interested in trying the Cetaphil solution some of you have found as well. I was worried it was something worse, like Herpes, but I've only been with one partner and the symptoms showed up long after we started dating, so I don't think that's the problem. Plus, I have no other symptoms. Just the fissure and occasional redness and itching. No weird or foul smelling discharge. I'm hoping my gyno will have an answer, but if not. I'm just going to keep using the vaseline until I see results from some other method.
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1 Comments
Did you ever find an answer? Suffering from the exact same thing.
Avatar universal
Hi
I would agree that it is not possible to Diagnose a herpes infection without a test that confirms it. That said I am positive for the herpes virus and have over 20 years experience with this condition. I am in the past few years experiencing the same issue as you describe with fissures/splits in my labial folds. The two conditions are separate and distinct! Herpes produces lesions or small blisters not cracks and the sensations are quite different.
I encourage you to keep looking for an answer to your problem.
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Avatar universal
check your vitamin B2.. do you have dry lips too?  you may have a lack of riboflavin  I am checking mine now  I have the same symptomes.
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Avatar universal
For about six years I have had the symptoms many describe on here - the regular tears and discomfort during sex /using a tampon being the most prominent, with problems both external and internal.

Four or so years ago my GP suggested using anti depressants which both me and my husband were unhappy about doing. I was referred to a gynae who on examination said he couldn't see anything and advised again anti depressants to help me relax before sex. I was also given a plastic tube to, well, practice sex with.

My general history is of thrush perhaps four or five times in my adult life, and sadly a bad bout of BV, chlamydia and urine infection from unprotected sex, before I met my husband; which could make my vagina generally vulnerable.

However, I've been with my husband for 10 years and so for the first four our sex life and my vagina were absolutely fine!

I happened to have a facial operation scheduled at the beginning of 2009 and with that going on and a house build, I put my problems aside but sadly the sex life dwindled to just a handful of times a year. I'm lucky to have a very understanding husband!

In Britain we have a programme called Embarrasing Bodies which features candid examinations of ailments and conditions and just at the end of last year they featured a woman with similar symptoms. They happened to film her visiting a clinic fairly local to me but before I visited them, I have done further research and found many mentions of applying evening primrose oil inside the vagina (that's always been my main problem, with 'external' vulval problems coming and going.

So far, I feel like sex has become a little less painful. However, it's still uncomfortable to sit on chairs, ride a bike etc., so I will persevere for now. I also took it orally before my last period and it really helped.

On the plus side I have not had fissures for about five months now. I use a natural cleaning brand in the shower, and try my best not to irritate the vagine with excessive wiping after using the toilet. I was intrigued about the comment about whether surgery food plays any part; I will certainly monitor my intake to see if there's a pattern. The fissures I could never understand as I could never remember 'tearing' the skin.

Anyway, it's been heartening to know I'm not alone and I hope we lull find a solution xx

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