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Please Read. Sensitive Clitoris and Swollen Labia
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 been on a yeast-free and sugar-free diet for 4 months (this diet seems to help- even though I keep testing negative for yeast. Besides loosing 10 pounds- this diet has been AWFUL!!)
I used to feel a rawness under the clitoris hood and between the inner labia a lot, but I haven't felt this as much sense I’ve been going to the acupuncturist. It's very rare that I feel any itchiness. 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 THAT HAS A SENSITIVE BLADDER, or have had many bladder infections in the past, and HAVE SIMILAR symptoms as me?
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.) I've 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!
Is anyone else having similar issues??
I used to feel a rawness under the clitoris hood and between the inner labia a lot, but I haven't felt this as much sense I’ve been going to the acupuncturist. It's very rare that I feel any itchiness. 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 THAT HAS A SENSITIVE BLADDER, or have had many bladder infections in the past, and HAVE SIMILAR symptoms as me?
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.) I've 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!
Is anyone else having similar issues??
Hey all,
I just found this list and read through all your comments. It sounds like there are quite a few different issues going through here. Mine are similar to those of the original post - swollen labia (one side or the other, but never both sides at once) and clitoris, along with itching, particularly under the clitoral hood.
I'm 34 years old and I've had problems with frequent UTIs and yeast infections for the past ten years. I got my first UTI on my honeymoon and have averaged two per year since then. I'm starting to think, however, that most of my 'yeast infections' weren't caused by yeast at all. Treating them with Monstat usually helped, but sometimes only very briefly. About seven or eight months ago I noticed my first bout of swelling - I noticed it right after sex, but the intense itching had been around for a few days prior.
I freaked out and called my doctor (a GP, not a gynocologist). By the time of the appointment (three days later) the swelling had reduced significantly and she found nothing really wrong. She suggested that it might be an allergic reaction, but we were at a loss as to what might've triggered it, as I'd tried no new soaps or detergents or anything else.
Since then, it's come back several times. I've discovered that taking an antihistimine like Benedryl has given me some relief, though usually only temporarily. I stopped using the soap I'd been using in the shower (Castille soap) and switched to body wash, but that didn't stop the outbreaks. I tried not wearing underwear, but find that my discharge is greater during outbreaks and without underwear I feel too damp and exposed to be comfortable.
I'm pregnant now and my OBGYN hasn't found anything unusual in any of her tests or PAP smears, though I haven't told her about this issue specifically. Since getting pregnant, I had no trouble at all until just recently.
Over the past week, I thought I had a yeast infection and my OBGYN suggested a 7-day round of Monostat (she trusted my self-diagnosis and suggested this over the phone). It helped somewhat, but now, three days after the round finished, my labia is swollen and itchy and ridiculously sensitive to the touch. I noticed that the moist wipes at the doctor's office (had an appointment the day before yesterday) were Castille wipes, and I got a flu shot, but otherwise, once again, I have no probable cause for a flare up.
I'm not supposed to take oral antihistimines because of the baby, but my doc approved the Benedryl cream. It tried a dab of it on the swelling tonight and initally it burned. Yikes. Big mistake, I thought. But now it feels much better. I don't think the swelling has gone down much, but the itch is pretty much gone.
I really, really don't want to just 'live with' this for the rest of my life. It affects my sex life with my husband as well as my general sense of well-being. Plus, it's no fun being itchy and in pain for days or weeks at a time. After my daughter is born, I plan to track down a cause for all of this and get it taken care of. For now, the tests and treatments might not be good for the little one, so I'll wait and hope to have few to no outbreaks for the next four or five months. Wish me luck; I know I'll need it.
I want to thank all of you ladies for your detailed listing of symptoms and treatments. It's great to know that I'm not the only one this happens to. Makes me feel less freaky.
I just found this list and read through all your comments. It sounds like there are quite a few different issues going through here. Mine are similar to those of the original post - swollen labia (one side or the other, but never both sides at once) and clitoris, along with itching, particularly under the clitoral hood.
I'm 34 years old and I've had problems with frequent UTIs and yeast infections for the past ten years. I got my first UTI on my honeymoon and have averaged two per year since then. I'm starting to think, however, that most of my 'yeast infections' weren't caused by yeast at all. Treating them with Monstat usually helped, but sometimes only very briefly. About seven or eight months ago I noticed my first bout of swelling - I noticed it right after sex, but the intense itching had been around for a few days prior.
I freaked out and called my doctor (a GP, not a gynocologist). By the time of the appointment (three days later) the swelling had reduced significantly and she found nothing really wrong. She suggested that it might be an allergic reaction, but we were at a loss as to what might've triggered it, as I'd tried no new soaps or detergents or anything else.
Since then, it's come back several times. I've discovered that taking an antihistimine like Benedryl has given me some relief, though usually only temporarily. I stopped using the soap I'd been using in the shower (Castille soap) and switched to body wash, but that didn't stop the outbreaks. I tried not wearing underwear, but find that my discharge is greater during outbreaks and without underwear I feel too damp and exposed to be comfortable.
I'm pregnant now and my OBGYN hasn't found anything unusual in any of her tests or PAP smears, though I haven't told her about this issue specifically. Since getting pregnant, I had no trouble at all until just recently.
Over the past week, I thought I had a yeast infection and my OBGYN suggested a 7-day round of Monostat (she trusted my self-diagnosis and suggested this over the phone). It helped somewhat, but now, three days after the round finished, my labia is swollen and itchy and ridiculously sensitive to the touch. I noticed that the moist wipes at the doctor's office (had an appointment the day before yesterday) were Castille wipes, and I got a flu shot, but otherwise, once again, I have no probable cause for a flare up.
I'm not supposed to take oral antihistimines because of the baby, but my doc approved the Benedryl cream. It tried a dab of it on the swelling tonight and initally it burned. Yikes. Big mistake, I thought. But now it feels much better. I don't think the swelling has gone down much, but the itch is pretty much gone.
I really, really don't want to just 'live with' this for the rest of my life. It affects my sex life with my husband as well as my general sense of well-being. Plus, it's no fun being itchy and in pain for days or weeks at a time. After my daughter is born, I plan to track down a cause for all of this and get it taken care of. For now, the tests and treatments might not be good for the little one, so I'll wait and hope to have few to no outbreaks for the next four or five months. Wish me luck; I know I'll need it.
I want to thank all of you ladies for your detailed listing of symptoms and treatments. It's great to know that I'm not the only one this happens to. Makes me feel less freaky.
Has anyone had any luck with this? This is my first time posting but i have had tis problem for about 6 months now. It comes and goes. It first appeared for one week, only in one spot right on my clitoris. It went away for a few months, but i was always very careful and nervous that it would reappear. A few days ago, it started to get irritated for the third time. It can sometimes get so painful that i cant concentrate.
More than anything, i am worried about my mental health. I want to stay positive, but it is so hard when this is happening and ther are no answers. Anyone have any alternative medicine suggestions? I am fed up with the doctors i have been seeing.
Sending you all my solidarity.
More than anything, i am worried about my mental health. I want to stay positive, but it is so hard when this is happening and ther are no answers. Anyone have any alternative medicine suggestions? I am fed up with the doctors i have been seeing.
Sending you all my solidarity.
Hi all, i had similar symptoms as above a couple of years ago. Sensitivity and swollen and reddish clitoral. I went to a sexual Dysfunction expert called Dr. kellogg in Philadelphia and she found an ingrown hair that had led to an infection. The dr. had to remove the ingrown hair-it was really painful as you can imagine and then I was given clobestol. Eventually it healed and I was back to normal. Now I am having similar symptoms and am wondering if it is happening again. I started reapplying Clobestol again to the area and it is irritating for about an hour in my lower area but then it subsides. Just thought I'd share.
I have a lot of these symptoms, but for me, it started after an assault. I immediately thought stds and the stress was unimaginable because I had to wait 3 months for herpes and HIV tests to be accurate. Finally all tests were negative, but the symptoms remain and 2 gyns have no idea, other than bacterial vaginosis, which I've never had before. Creams and pills still did nothing. I also have a yellow discharge (been 4 months now) and a creepy crawly prickly sensation from my clitoris to my rectum. It feels like a UTI, hemorrhoids, but I don't have those. Also, it doesn't burn when I pee, but it comes out very warm. The labia swelling and clitoral sensitivity began after I used a cream for BV, and it hasn't gone away. My kegel muscle feels sore too. Its best when I lay down, and worsens with activity. I don't know if my assailant infected me w/ some unknown disease, or if the stress from the assault is playing a number on me. I just want a name for what this is!!!
Found you by accident, researching my psoriasis.
Try this:
First of all; try a Dermatologist, not a gyno.
1) Ask your Doctor to try Naftin, a really good anti-fungal. (Just in case.)
2) Clean that hood carefully:
(you might want to have a glass or two of wine first)
Buy a waterpic. use warm water, set to LOWEST SETTING.
Go all around the sides and top.
Don't keep going if it hurts, or is just too sensitive. You have to build up a tolerance. Come back tomorrow.
If it seems to help, use a little vinegar, or something you would feel safe douching with.
3) Don't be alarmed if you orgasm; don't become addicted to the waterpic.
4) You may want to consider having your hood surgically opened.
5) You may also want to explore:
Hiradenitis suppurativa
Acanthosis
Fox Fordyce
Try this:
First of all; try a Dermatologist, not a gyno.
1) Ask your Doctor to try Naftin, a really good anti-fungal. (Just in case.)
2) Clean that hood carefully:
(you might want to have a glass or two of wine first)
Buy a waterpic. use warm water, set to LOWEST SETTING.
Go all around the sides and top.
Don't keep going if it hurts, or is just too sensitive. You have to build up a tolerance. Come back tomorrow.
If it seems to help, use a little vinegar, or something you would feel safe douching with.
3) Don't be alarmed if you orgasm; don't become addicted to the waterpic.
4) You may want to consider having your hood surgically opened.
5) You may also want to explore:
Hiradenitis suppurativa
Acanthosis
Fox Fordyce
Hi
Commenting on Vulva swelling and discomfort as well as discharge thinking it is a yeast infection when it is not. It is called Lechen Sclerosis and it is an autoimmune disease. When you have one you
end up with more autoimmune diseases. Thyroid disease is the most
common. Have your Doctor run autoimmune panel first steroid cream
is the only way to make it better.
Commenting on Vulva swelling and discomfort as well as discharge thinking it is a yeast infection when it is not. It is called Lechen Sclerosis and it is an autoimmune disease. When you have one you
end up with more autoimmune diseases. Thyroid disease is the most
common. Have your Doctor run autoimmune panel first steroid cream
is the only way to make it better.
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