Clueless and Irritated

[Lovli246]

For a year, I have been irritated everyday by this mild to moderate irritation at the end of my vulva, to this ball-like part at the entrance of my vagina? It's irritated when I pee, but I have been to hospitals who have said everything looks normal. Last October, I used a shaver that had automatic shaving cream come out of it, and it got into my vagina and caused a bad chemical reaction and the hospital diagnosed me with Vaginitis. I can't remember if that was when my irritation started. My ex bf was also a bit rough with fingering me. But I'm not so sure of how much of an affect that would have an entire year later. Also last year after that, I began seeing someone who had genital herpes, and before I knew this, all he did was rub on my vagina and finger me but never by touching my vagina's skin with his fingers, but just rubbing over my underwear a couple of times throughout our time of dating. I went to the local health department and they did not think that hsv2 would transmit that way. However, I must say I am a virgin, I have never had penile/vaginal intercourse, I have received oral sex and hand to genital masturbation from 2 ex boyfriends I was once in relationships with. Well, after the hsv2 positive guy I was dating (not officially in a relationship with) I went to get as many tests the clinic provides as I could before I got a job that gave me insurance, as I got into an actual relationship with someone new. They tested me negative for hiv, syphillis, chlamydia, and gohnnorrhea (I forget how to spell it) and if there was anything else I cannot remember. I was diagnosed with mild BV. (bacterial vaginosis), I took the antibiotics they gave me back in August. And I still have the same irritation, nothing changed with how my vaginal irritation feels, all they said was that the bacteria was gone as it was only a mild case. I haven't been tested for HSV 1 on my genitals, however these are people I've kissed and I haven't had any oral hsv 1 symptoms either, and the clinics cannot swab me without actual sores. (Soon I will schedule a doctor, I just wanted to know opinions, I'm tired of being in some pain and much discomfort. I've been worrying myself and finding out things like Trichomoniasis, but my discharge is not ever really green...It may be tinted from my urine? And I'm afraid I may worry myself and make myself believe it's a light green or something when its usually normal clear- to white. I also looked up things about Vulvodynia ...I'm just tired, and have been dealing with this unknown discomfort for a year now that isn't a UTI, kidney or bladder infection either. Please help, thank you.

[AnnieBrooke]

So, did you try the vinegar-water sitzbaths? You sound entirely focused on how you got whatever it is. Seeing a doctor who goes over the whole list is more practical than trying to be a medical detective yourself.

[Lovli246]

No I haven't tried it yet. I will get those ingredients and try it. warm water seems to help also briefly. & My doctor refuses to get a herpes testing and has tested me for all other stds and stis at least 2-3 times. thats why im wondering with the information I gave you, if herpes could even be of question with the circumstances with the partner who had hsv2. I'm just irritated, it is my focus honestly until the mild to moderate irritation stops :(.

[AnnieBrooke]

Where you said above (on November 16), "Soon I will schedule a doctor," are you are saying that this new doctor has already tested you for STIs at least 2-3 times? If you have a single doctor and not a random collection of tests, and the doctor has given you an exam and taken your medical history and read all your test results, then you should believe that doctor when he or she says that unless you are having a breakout, testing for herpes is futile.  I am not surprised that a doctor would want to see a visible lesion. without one there is nothing to swab. I believe herpes is not visible all the time and probably can't be swabbed for by just rubbing a swab against unbroken skin.

You mentioned having had a reaction to shaving cream when shaving the area. Have you continued to shave all this time? Has anyone mentioned contact allergies, laundry detergent reactions, shaving cream allergies or just irritating the tender tissues in the region by microscopic nicks and cuts or upsetting the ph of the area by soaping and shaving? It's an area that does better with less denuding.

[Lovli246]

Yeah the new doctor has tested me twice for everything except hsv cause I don't have lesions, I just was told hsv2 could be asymptomatic too however, but would I have this irritation everyday with that illness? Also, everyone says with the encounters I had, herpes cannot be passed thru fabric. I just feared he didn't wash his hands one time or something and the germs seeped thru my underwear through my secretions, or left over of his secretions on his hands maybe?  I never have had lesions though... when I had lesions they formed under the skin never on the surface along where I have pubic hair only. And I have not shaved down there in a very long time . I just trim now, and not with shaving cream. I also find sometimes when I make a bile movement the irritation seems to go away...it's weird. I'm just trying to figure out if not herpes or any std or sti what other possible conditions could be when my only symptom is burning/raw feeling when urinating, and mild to moderate tenderness when touched (entrance of vagina)

[uomeasmile]

I am going to respond under Annie because she is 100% right when she said: You sound entirely focused on how you got whatever it is. Sexually transmitted infections and diseases are just that. Sexually transmitted. These diseases are not easily spread by contact over the clothing. It seems like the most likely culprit would be something you are doing that is upsetting the pH balance of your vagina. Group A streptococcal vaginitis is not an STI, but they still would have caught that on a swab. If you are constantly symptomatic inquire about a referral to a urogynecologist. Sorry you are so frustrated, but I really do think you can cross off an STI or STD from your list of causes.

[AnnieBrooke]

OK, so if your question is moving away from sexually transmitted conditions because they all seem to be ruled out, what other possible conditions could cause a burning or raw feeling when urinating or mild to moderate tenderness when touched? Burning or raw feeling when urinating: something that has increased the acidity, concentration or composition of your urine? Tenderness when touched: something that has increased the sensitivity of your skin? I'd consider, for the urine part, dietary changes that might make the urine acidic or irritating, or your vitamin intake, or not drinking enough water (concentrated urine). For the tenderness part, I'd be wondering about whether you're having reactions to soaps or to laundry soap, or to the kind of underwear you are wearing (the kind of cloth and the shape of the underwear, like, is it binding or not breathable fabric?)

[AnnieBrooke]

Or, for that, the kind of pants you are wearing. Back when straight polyester was fashionable, women got irritated vaginas all the time because that was about as good as wearing a plastic sack over one's private area.

[Lovli246]

Okay, uomeasmile mentioned seeing a urogynecologist, my doctor did say my ph level was fine when doing a urine check, unless there are more detailed ways if it is a possible urinary ph level issue, or dietary issue. I do know, that I am low in Vitamin D, not sure how long, but the symptoms have been for about a year. I do visit my doctor Friday, and I will ask her to refer me to a gynecologist once again, I was supposed to go to one as she referred before, but I never received a call (Much more annoying). I do thank you all for your help, so informative and patient I do appreciate it.

[Lovli246]

I went to a gynecologist yesterday and they are starting me with probiotics... He does not think it is herpes or any STD/STI related, even though I told him I got fingered by the guy.. who I was unsure of if he washed his hands appropriately each time he did, even though it was through the fabric of my underwear and never even was actually skin to skin. He pretty much pushed the underwear inside of me. But the doctor thinks that it could be something with my gut...as I told him when I make a bowel movement I don't have the pain at the end of urination. And thats another thing, it only seems to be pretty much at the entrance, not further up my vaginal canal? it's just weird that there's no sign of infection in urine or anything...no lesions on the outside. He says constipation/gut issues could be a cause? I was diagnosed with gastroparesis 4-5 years ago. And haven't gotten it checked since.

[specialmom]

I think the information you are being given is that it could be other things than STD's.  Bacterial vaginosis can be quite hard to get fully rid of sometimes.  It may take more than one or two rounds of antibiotics.  I would go back to the doctor and have your discharge swabbed. It doesn't sound like you have had any activity that would make one suspect an std, so focus on other things for the cause.  

[Lovli246]

Hmm.. it can really be that hard to get rid of? and you know what? after I got checked for BV the doctor re swabbed me again and didn't pick up a BV culture... however... I never did finish those pills fully...Also, when I was taking them I didn't really feel any relief from the raw irritated kinda burn feeling, everything pretty much stayed the same.  I recently got swabbed 2 weeks ago and they also did not find any infection. Can hsv 2 pass through fabric like underwear? Like if a person didn't wash their hands or didn't wash them good enough after touching their genitals and maybe or maybe no secretions?  that's the only thing I haven't tested for. Only thing I've really had is oral sex, and not with anyone I suspect if having hsv. 2 ex bf's of mine, I can also add last year I had a bad chemical burn from a razor. I'm not sure if that could've caused trauma... but I would think it wouldn't last for a year. I also found it odd for it to even be herpes as it wouldn't just be an ongoing sensation right? Wouldn't the burning symptoms go away at some point for more than seconds? Sorry for the many questions. I'm just tired of my lady parts feeling irritated.

[Lovli246]

I've been tested for every STD and STI except genital herpes, but I have never had sex skin to skin, and a person I met who I found out had hsv2, fingered me but over the top of my fabric. I was told it cannot be spread that way, and nobody thinks I contracted that, plus I have no visible sores. My vagina gets irritated when I pee...what I notice is also that usually the irritation which is slightly burning/stinging stops while I poop... any suggestions of what it could be there? or should I go ahead and buy a herpes test...my doctor won't test for it without visible symptoms.

[uomeasmile]

You definitely need to see a gynecologist to correlate your symptoms with specific swabs. Group A streptococcal vaginitis would also be amongst the things to rule out. I wish you well.

[Lovli246]

've been tested for every STD and STI except genital herpes, but I have never had sex skin to skin, and a person I met who I found out had hsv2, fingered me but over the top of my fabric. I was told it cannot be spread that way, and nobody thinks I contracted that, plus I have no visible sores. My vagina gets irritated when I pee...what I notice is also that usually the irritation which is slightly burning/stinging stops while I poop... any suggestions of what it could be there? or should I go ahead and buy a herpes test...my doctor won't test for it without visible symptoms.

[AnnieBrooke]

Orally you can get one of many STDs. People are always getting gonorrhea that way, presumably trich could come that route as well. It could be something simpler like a yeast infection; sometimes antibiotic runs will provide a clear field and a yeast infection will take advantage of that. But you need to see your own ob/gyn doctor and not a random collection of medical providers.

I assume you will be getting your doctor soon, who will collect all the records from the various places you have gone to get things tested or will just do the tests again. (A doctor can't just call for your records, you have to sign a form, so be sure to do that when there and tell him or her where you went for the various pieces.) What a doctor's job is, is diagnosis, not guessing. He or she will need all the info to make intelligent suggestions about what is wrong.

In the meantime, try some sitzbaths. In your situation I would try sitting and soaking in warm water and white vinegar (not too strong of vinegar, of course).  It might help.

[Lovli246]

've been tested for every STD and STI except genital herpes, but I have never had sex skin to skin, and a person I met who I found out had hsv2, fingered me but over the top of my fabric. I was told it cannot be spread that way, and nobody thinks I contracted that, plus I have no visible sores. My vagina gets irritated when I pee...what I notice is also that usually the irritation which is slightly burning/stinging stops while I poop... any suggestions of what it could be there? or should I go ahead and buy a herpes test...my doctor won't test for it without visible symptoms.

[biology2017]

1) we need to establish a clear diagnosis because you are hunting blindly
2) i assume you did not have any sexual intercourse including oral sex since the start of your symptoms?
3) you need to ask a doctor and tell him/her all your tests etc... So that they can rule out the causes. See a OBGYN specialist

[Lovli246]

Since the start of my symptoms I did receive both masturbation from my other partner and  oral. And yes, I feel like I am hunting blindly, because they tested me for quite a group of STDS and STIS that came back negative, and I still have no answer to my discomfort. Can Trichomoniasis be spread from fingers or oral? I cannot remember if they tested me for that at the free clinic...I plan to check on that Monday morning by calling the doctor who read back my negative results for everything she tested me for.