Vulva pain and discomfort

[alixbn]

For about a month I have been having strange symptoms in the vaginal area. I have been having a throbbing and burning sensation on the right side mostly. But sometimes all around. I will look and there is nothing there. There is no foul odor, no discharge, no redness, no sweeling, no swollen glands, no bumps or scrapes...nothing!! No pain with urination, no sting, tampons don't hurt. It will begin to ache so bad it will sting in certain areas like a small pinch or a sensation my hair is being pulled. Over the last week my hip and that bone (just to the right of the vaginal opening...dont know the name) is tender. The bone now feels like it's been bruised! I have had HPV for 12 years and I have been sexually active. Sex only twice about 6 weeks ago. But I used protection. Even still, these symptoms don't seem to match anything!! I got a z-pac and I'm on day 2. It seemed to help but now it just burns with the sensation that my hair is being pulled. But again, I look, and NOTHING is there. It doesn't hurt to touch at all! It looks more than healthy! I'm at a loss!!! Help! I'm going to visit the doctor but can't get in for a week!

[monkeyflower]

I doubt this will be helpful, but thought you might feel better knowing someone else feels your pain ;-) This happens to me sometimes too. The hair pulling sensation (which is particularly odd, since I shave, lol), and that sort of deep bruised feeling in my pubic bone and hip. I've sort of connected it to inactivity/lots of sitting and lack of sleep--it seemed much worse and much more frequent when I had a sedentary job, long commute, long hours, 24/7 call, and did lots of traveling. It probably sounds counterintuitive, but when it was really aching I'd go run up and down the stairs a few times at work, go for a walk around the block, do some "office yoga", that kind of thing, and that seemed to help. Other than that, I don't know of any trigger, or anything else that makes it better. I guess I don't really pay attention anymore...

[alixbn]

Well, I meant that I was exposed to HPV 12 years ago and haven't had the complications (ie dysplasia) in about 5 years. Wasn't sure if it could still cause problems. I think my BIGGEST concern was herpes 2 or something cancerous from HPV. But I am assuming that, after nearly 5 or 6 weeks, I would have had some type of breakout by now? And the symptoms probably wouldn't last so long?  Especially after a month of a burning sensation, etc. Thank you so much for your help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I meant to add that such symptoms suggest the possibility of the neuropathic prodrome of herpes zoster (shingles). However, zoster pain typically starts only a few days before zoster skin lesions appear. Some people think genital herpes can also cause such neuropathic symptoms, but it probably does not; or if so, it is very rare. See a related discussion in a thread just yesterday (http://www.medhelp.org/forums/STD/messages/4420.html). I raise this not to suggest I think genital herpes is your problem; I do not. But I wanted you to know my perspective, in case your own provider raises the possibility.

HHH, MD

[alixbn]

oh...thanks. You just answed my question.....

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Unfortunately, I also am at a loss and agree your symptoms 'don't match anything'.  They don't suggest any STD; certainly I have never had a patient with STD whose symptoms match yours.  If I had to guess, it is some sort of neuropathy, i.e. the discomfort is originating in a nerve root.  That idea is consistent with lack of pain on direct touch.  I cannot imagine they are related to HPV.  (Are you sure you still have HPV after 12 years?  I have never heard of HPV lasting so long.)

Bottom line:  You'll need to keep your scheduled appointment.  But whatever is going on, an STD is unlikely.

Good luck--  HHH, MD