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Clitoris and Inner Labia are swollen, sensitive and irriatated
My symptoms started with what looked and felt like a yeast infection under only the hood of the clitoris, once that cleared up I was still experiencing extreme sensitivity on the clitoris and/or the inner labia. My inner labia are swollen to some degree every day; sometimes sensitivity comes with this, sometimes not. When I say sensitivity I mean that every little hair, underwear or anything that touches my inner labia or clitoris is an irritant!! I can't wear underwear and I can only wear loose fitting clothing or the symptoms get worse. I've been dealing with this for 8 months now. I've seen 2 doctors and 1 specialist, none have really told me anything and all tests always come back negative (I was tested for herpes as well.) Even the yeast cultures come back negative. I've been going to acupuncture for the last 2 months and the symptoms are decreasing, but at a very slow rate. I have taken Monistat, flagyl, cortizone (steroid) pills and cream and nothing has worked. The specialist has put me on a neurotransmitter medicine because she thinks the nerve endings in my vulva are misfiring, which sounds far fetched to me but at this point I'll try anything! I used to feel a rawness under the clitoris hood and between the inner labia a lot, but not as much sense I’ve been going to the acupuncturist, however- it is very rare that I feel any itchiness. I have not experienced any colored discharge- though on bad days I do have more discharge then usual- but still clear. My acupuncturist and the specialist seem to think these symptoms are a result from having bladder infections in the past (I have a sensitive bladder), DOES ANYONE HAVE A SENSITIVE BLADDER, or have had many bladder infections in the past, and have similar symptoms as me? Also, I have noticed when the clitoris is bothering me- I sometimes have white spots under the hood of my clitoris. After close inspection, I have found these little white spots are NOT part of my clitoris and can be removed. Once it’s removed (very sensitive and somewhat painful to remove) it looks like what a blackhead would look like, but white….?! I clean myself regularly down there so to have any buildup, like this, is very weird. For the last couple of months I’ve been using non-fragranced baby wipes to clean under the clitoris hood and around the vulva area and I’m still seeing these little white spots. IF ANYONE HAS SIMILAR SYMPTOMS PLEASE RESPOND. I’m doing a follow-up visit with the specialist at UCLA Medical Center in 2 months.
Wishing hope on all those who understand.
PC26
Wishing hope on all those who understand.
PC26
I too suffer with itching which leads to swollen labia. Then this leads to burning when urinating and it is a vicious circle. Then there are times that the clitoris is red and inflamed and I have masterbated and gotten some relief at times. I had breast cancer in 2001 and was on Tamoxifin for several years and was told that this medicine has attributed to my Vulvitis and vaginal atrophy. I went to an OBGYN Oncologist and she prescribed a low dose topical hormone creme that is inserted into the vaginal area. Since my breast cancer was hormone fed I am unable to take any female hormones and this low dose topical has not given me any relief. I am desperate for some help as there are times that it is almost unbearable. I've been married 42 years and there has been no intimacy for over 3 years due to the pain involved. I have a wonderful husband that understands but it is disappointing to be a wife that cannot fulfill one of the most wonderful aspects in her marriage. I hope that there are a lot of women with this problem that will post a comment. If that is what it takes to get doctors to realize what a huge problem this can be in ones life maybe there will be more research done and hopefully a cure. Meanwhile I continue to pray that God will heal me. Thank you for sharing your comments as they helped me drop my inhibitions and share my story too.
HI ADyer,
In my experience, the antibiotics used for BV will sometimes cause a yeast infection. Do you allow your boyfriend to ejaculate inside of you? If so, then his sperm is probably throwing off your pH. When the pH is thrown off and in combination with vigorous rubbing, the bacteria that cause BV (Gardnerella) that is already present in your vagina will over grow. Or if you do not allow him to do that, your vagina may be a little sensitive after a period because blood also has a slightly different pH level and can throw off your balance making you susceptible to overgrowth or changes in the vagina. Also, E. coli from the anal region can also cause an imbalance if it is introduced into the vagina, sometimes wearing thongs a lot or tight clothes can contribute to this.
Once you clear up the yeast infection, look into methods for maintaining the balance of your vaginal pH. I personally use Rephresh. Do not douche though because if you do have an overgrowth of bacteria, you do not want to introduce it higher into your reproductive tract. Infection in your upper reproductive tract is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and it can be detrimental to future fertility. Usually PID is caused by sexually transmitted diseases though such as Gonorrhea or Chlamydia that goes undetected. So as long as you take proper precautions and are tested than you should be fine. Try to avoid getting in a vicious cycle of antibiotic after antibiotic use for BV and yeast infections, it can really mess with your system and the infectious pathogens can become resistant requiring higher and longer doses.
In my experience, the antibiotics used for BV will sometimes cause a yeast infection. Do you allow your boyfriend to ejaculate inside of you? If so, then his sperm is probably throwing off your pH. When the pH is thrown off and in combination with vigorous rubbing, the bacteria that cause BV (Gardnerella) that is already present in your vagina will over grow. Or if you do not allow him to do that, your vagina may be a little sensitive after a period because blood also has a slightly different pH level and can throw off your balance making you susceptible to overgrowth or changes in the vagina. Also, E. coli from the anal region can also cause an imbalance if it is introduced into the vagina, sometimes wearing thongs a lot or tight clothes can contribute to this.
Once you clear up the yeast infection, look into methods for maintaining the balance of your vaginal pH. I personally use Rephresh. Do not douche though because if you do have an overgrowth of bacteria, you do not want to introduce it higher into your reproductive tract. Infection in your upper reproductive tract is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and it can be detrimental to future fertility. Usually PID is caused by sexually transmitted diseases though such as Gonorrhea or Chlamydia that goes undetected. So as long as you take proper precautions and are tested than you should be fine. Try to avoid getting in a vicious cycle of antibiotic after antibiotic use for BV and yeast infections, it can really mess with your system and the infectious pathogens can become resistant requiring higher and longer doses.
Wow! If you are a woman that can have that many orgasms before penetration or during one session kudos to you! It is quite difficult for me to orgasm though and I am extremely sensitive. Instead, because I am so sensitive, both my husband and I rinse off before and after and I always urinate after sex. For lubrication, I actually use olive oil or vegetable oil. It is more natural than other lubricants and was recommended by an OBGYN. I do not get any kind of irritation from olive oil. I have suffered from BV a few times and one of my symptoms is swelling of the inner labias. This is due to the inflammatory response from irritation from rubbing or scratching not actually from the overgrowth itself. However, I recommend allowing your body to fight off BV on its own unless you have severe symptoms like smell or abdominal pain because the antibiotics used to treat it are extremely harsh on your body and eventually the bacteria will become resistant. Every time you kill the bacteria, you kill everything and the bad grow a lot faster than the good. Additionally, constant antibiotic use will mess with your gastrointestinal system too.
I have had great success with the product Rephresh because it balances out your vaginal pH and helps prevent an overgrowth of the anaerobic bacterium Gardnerella. It also is not like a liquid douche, so it will not shoot the infection further up into your reproductive tract. BTW, there seems to be a lot of confusion on this; bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted, it is merely your vagina's pH getting out of wack, therefore allowing the already present bacteria to grow in greater numbers. Sperm is basic and your vagina is slightly acidic so sperm can throw off that balance when you’re exposed too much to it. If you balance out your pH and maintain it, then the normal biota in your vagina will eventually return to normal and help prevent overgrowth. On the other hand, yeast can sometimes be pretty stubborn but it too can become resistant so watch out with over use of drugs. Good luck and don’t fret, some extra measures may need to be taken for those of you that are really sensitive like me, but in the long run you (and your husband) will be happier when you are able to prevent problems like this. All of this information I have learned from my own experiences, research and I am a health sciences major. Good luck!
I have had great success with the product Rephresh because it balances out your vaginal pH and helps prevent an overgrowth of the anaerobic bacterium Gardnerella. It also is not like a liquid douche, so it will not shoot the infection further up into your reproductive tract. BTW, there seems to be a lot of confusion on this; bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted, it is merely your vagina's pH getting out of wack, therefore allowing the already present bacteria to grow in greater numbers. Sperm is basic and your vagina is slightly acidic so sperm can throw off that balance when you’re exposed too much to it. If you balance out your pH and maintain it, then the normal biota in your vagina will eventually return to normal and help prevent overgrowth. On the other hand, yeast can sometimes be pretty stubborn but it too can become resistant so watch out with over use of drugs. Good luck and don’t fret, some extra measures may need to be taken for those of you that are really sensitive like me, but in the long run you (and your husband) will be happier when you are able to prevent problems like this. All of this information I have learned from my own experiences, research and I am a health sciences major. Good luck!
If you have 3-5 orgasms BEFORE any penetrative sex, it will properly close the urethra fully so you cannot get a UTI. Also, if you have at least 3 full orgasms prior to sexual intercourse, you will be adequately lubricated not only within the vaginal canal, but also in the external surrounding area. This is very important to prevent lesions and tiny tears that occur often in women who do not orgasm before sex. Also, if you are not turned on yet, use lube or oral sex to stimulate the clitoris with minimal friction. All of these preventative measures will help reduce the irritation that is occurring in your inner labia and clitoris.
Hi !
I have a sensible clitoris just now. I feel excitation all the time. It is really uncomfortable. Do you know any creams or quick treatment pelase help me ? . My husband and i had sex and happened after it .
Camo
I have a sensible clitoris just now. I feel excitation all the time. It is really uncomfortable. Do you know any creams or quick treatment pelase help me ? . My husband and i had sex and happened after it .
Camo
I am exhaused and totally depressed.
I was HOPING that their would be a definitive answer / solution / diagnosis / treatment...Just unfortunately, a number of women who are suffering from the same thing I am. I had this almost 20 years ago..and seemed to come on all of a sudden. Sex became excruciating (although, i have not ready any of posts mentioning that), anything that touched the clitoris sent me into orbit, extreme burning and inflammation on the interior of the lips, hurt to walk, sit, clean the area, ride a bike or my horse was out of the question. I was told it was psychological, given cremes, anti-fungal, and a no tests came back positive for anything. I tried yeast diets, alternative theapies, nothing helped. It ruined my relationship with my boyfriend at the time and i contemplated suicide. After 6 years of NO relief, i found an allergist who also treated people with Candida sensitivities by giving them allergy shots for Candida, i had some improvement but nothing major for 2 years of his treatments as well as trying to maintain a yeast free diet which i was not able to do 100% of the time and take Nystatin at the same time....this was in 1996.
In 1998, i was diagnosed with clinical depression and put on anti-depressants..and went through several different ones before finding one that seemed to not have any negative "side effects"...Oh...I also was hypothyroid and had been to a variety of thyroid/endocrinologists...anyways...1999.......all my vaginal / clitoral problems "disappeared"....never had a definitive answer from the medical community.
Now....all of a sudden 13 years later...all of a sudden it's back...I have had my share of health issues: Breast Cancer in 2003, constant thyroid issues, chemical sensitivities, 2005 i had tons of problems with insomnia, memory, fatigue, muscle weakness, and after going to tons of doctors again....i was told i had Fibromyalgia...put on sleeping pills of all sorts, lyrica, still anti-depressants, do i believe it...I'm not sure maybe I do maybe I don't...but still no pain or problems down below......this past spring...i was tired of taking al these pills and slowly came off all of them...besides....i had been feeling pretty good...........well later this summer...I had lots of medical problems again....ovarian cyst that ruptured, kidney stone, dental work needed: root canals, a couple of bacterial vaginosis episodes and i had to go on anti-biotics a few times this year, anesthesia, the fibromyalgia seems to have flared up with fatigue, muscle aches, insomnia again....and two weeks ago, I started having all my old vaginal / clitoral pain again. All i can say is I don't want to through years of pain and suffering with this again and one dr. after the other...but it looks like it is that way.......
I was HOPING that their would be a definitive answer / solution / diagnosis / treatment...Just unfortunately, a number of women who are suffering from the same thing I am. I had this almost 20 years ago..and seemed to come on all of a sudden. Sex became excruciating (although, i have not ready any of posts mentioning that), anything that touched the clitoris sent me into orbit, extreme burning and inflammation on the interior of the lips, hurt to walk, sit, clean the area, ride a bike or my horse was out of the question. I was told it was psychological, given cremes, anti-fungal, and a no tests came back positive for anything. I tried yeast diets, alternative theapies, nothing helped. It ruined my relationship with my boyfriend at the time and i contemplated suicide. After 6 years of NO relief, i found an allergist who also treated people with Candida sensitivities by giving them allergy shots for Candida, i had some improvement but nothing major for 2 years of his treatments as well as trying to maintain a yeast free diet which i was not able to do 100% of the time and take Nystatin at the same time....this was in 1996.
In 1998, i was diagnosed with clinical depression and put on anti-depressants..and went through several different ones before finding one that seemed to not have any negative "side effects"...Oh...I also was hypothyroid and had been to a variety of thyroid/endocrinologists...anyways...1999.......all my vaginal / clitoral problems "disappeared"....never had a definitive answer from the medical community.
Now....all of a sudden 13 years later...all of a sudden it's back...I have had my share of health issues: Breast Cancer in 2003, constant thyroid issues, chemical sensitivities, 2005 i had tons of problems with insomnia, memory, fatigue, muscle weakness, and after going to tons of doctors again....i was told i had Fibromyalgia...put on sleeping pills of all sorts, lyrica, still anti-depressants, do i believe it...I'm not sure maybe I do maybe I don't...but still no pain or problems down below......this past spring...i was tired of taking al these pills and slowly came off all of them...besides....i had been feeling pretty good...........well later this summer...I had lots of medical problems again....ovarian cyst that ruptured, kidney stone, dental work needed: root canals, a couple of bacterial vaginosis episodes and i had to go on anti-biotics a few times this year, anesthesia, the fibromyalgia seems to have flared up with fatigue, muscle aches, insomnia again....and two weeks ago, I started having all my old vaginal / clitoral pain again. All i can say is I don't want to through years of pain and suffering with this again and one dr. after the other...but it looks like it is that way.......
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