Please Read. Sensitive Clitoris and Swollen Labia

[PC26]

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??

[beautifulproblem]

I am currently dealing with the same problem, my inner labia is swollen. Except I am 26, and this year was the 1st time I ever had a yeast infection/BV.  Ever since then, I have had irritation to the point I rub myself to sleep.  I am always dry down there and and keep neosporin on it at night just for some type of I have BV, and it will not go away.

[PC26]

SORRY for all those typos above! I only had so much time to type- hope it all makes sense.

p.s. TO EVERYONE: Once I'm finished creating my chart of my past medical history, lifestyle and current symptoms- I'm thinking of creating a website that would allow everyone to fill out and submit their own chart (the chart would be a template but it would also allow someone to insert additional info as well). This way doctors can see there's more then one woman going through this- and we can connect similarities or differences much easier then skimming through posts.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A GOOD IDEA TO ANYONE? And does anyone have any suggestions?

[PC26]

Part 1 to Sansa544:

Nope you're not alone, and I KNOW HOW THAT FEELS- it's awful- that's why I started this forum- you can't imagine what a relief it was to see posts on here for the first time- funny how other people's "posts" can make one feel better.

Ok, 1st- GO SEE A DOCTOR- NO EXCUSES!!! I don't care about the time or money- DO IT!!!!!!! Now, like the majority of us your OBGYN will probably look at you stupid and tell you it's something it's not, BUT YOU NEED TO GO GET CHECKED OUT!! There are certain STD's or diseases that will cause more damage if they're left untreated (and if it CAN be treated then you GREAT.)

We're all a little scare, frustrated, and down right pissed we have these symptoms- and it's not fun going to the doctor- BUT YOU NEED GO. Please. The more of us that go- the more of a chance WE all have of doctors being able to help us.

As for your symptoms- putting a hole in your panty hose is a good idea in my opinion- for me the more air the better. However, you said putting "lube" has helped make things more comfortable- at first it did for me too but my flares were more frequent when I was using any form of lubrication (KY or Neosporin). Now that I leave it ALONE and wipe myself down everyonce in awhile with an unfrangrenced baby wipe things are much better- but that may just be my body.  

And as for you diet- have you kind of changed your diet- have only changed it for a month? Try changing your diet LONG-TERM to the suggestions I wrote in a few posts above and see what happens. I don't know where you live so you may not have easy access to a natural food store or you may not have the money (I don't-ha, but I make it work.) However, there are things you can get at the regular old Vons, Safeway, Ralphs, Giant, Food Lion, or whatever grocery store you have.

OH IMPORTANT, stay hydrated, get 8 hours of sleep, AND DON'T HOLD YOUR BLADDER- go when you have to go, it's easier on the nerves in your clitoris. This stuff works for me- hopefully it helps you too.



PART 2 TO BURNING69-

First off, love your name and your sense of humor!!! I think it’s good to keep a sense of humor during what your going through- if I didn’t laugh myself, I would cry- so I try to stay light hearted.

Anyways, no I do not put Vaseline on my labia- mine are not dry- I actually have the opposite of a problem. When I have flares I generally have more discharge which irritates me so I have to make sure to keep it dry down there. Usually, the more air your labia/clitoris/vagina gets the better- it should be kept cool and dry. Bacteria and yeast thrive in moist, hot places.

However, it’s not good if you feel yours is EXTRA dry, like about to crack. I don’t experience that so I don’t want to comment on it. However, I would suggest to only where cotton underwear- or better yet- no underwear at all.

As for the masturbation thing, I was never a showerhead girl myself- yes I know- unusual it seems, ha, but I would probably steer clear of the showerhead for now (maybe treat yourself every ONCE in awhile- taking away what you love is never a good thing.)  ; )

Also, have you tried going on a yeast free, sugar free diet (you don’t have to be SUPER strict but TRY to stick to it day, 75% of the time.)  This needs to be a LONG TERM  diet, not something you do for a week or month, but forever until you (WE) get some answers. I CAN HONESTLY SAY I FEEL BETTER WHEN I STICK TO THIS DIET, GET SLEEP, STAY HYDRATED, LEAVE MY CLITORIS AND LABIA ALONE UNLESS I’M HAVING SEX OR MASTERBATING (which I limit), AND DON’T WEAR UNDERWEAR.

“If doctors won’t help, then I’ll help myself!” Quote of my day!

The white lumps, since I recently just had one appear I’ve researched them (I just checked a bit ago and it’s gone- just a tiny, tiny white spot- no lump.) I’ve read that they can be ingrown hairs or tiny vaginal cyst (which are basically like a zit). I left mine alone- I put an “off limits sign up” and it worked…..for now. Will they be back, I don’t know. I’ll bring it up with my doctor next time I see her. I did get the white bump after having sex, no sex- no touch- bye bye bump.


The anal conversation: I’ve gotten a lump back there once too. When the doc put me on some neuron medicine stuff to try to “reset” my nerves (the side effects weren’t worth it so I stopped the meds) but I became VERY constipated for the first time in my life- and a bump back there appeared and some blood on the tissue (like you mentioned.) Once I stopped the medication this all went away for me.

QUESTION: Are you constipated or are you normally? If you are seeing you blood definitely call or see your doctor- that’s NOT a good sign.

Hope I helped. Please keep your sense of humor!    

Best of luck.

PC26

[trac777]

I just wanted to explain it is bad bacteria that cause kidney and bladder infections. It was bad bacteria that almost killed me. BV can also cause a type of bladder infection, but it's not the same as the infections from bad bacteria so the tests they use to detect bad bacteria would not pick it up. In order to tell if you have a BV infection a specific test for BV must be done. BV usually won't cause a person any problems. A lot of woman walk around with BV without even knowing it...but who wants to have a fishier smelling crotch then they reallly need to? It can be hard for us to tell a difference when we naturally have a sort of fishy smell about us...but with BV that fishy smell will be worse particularly after sex...and who wants that?

[trac777]

I loved the shower head and tubs and all that until I got a fever of 105. I actually passed out on the way to the hospital. It was the sickest I've ever been in my life. The doctors said I could have died. I really felt like I might. It's the kidney infection that was so dangerous. BV is an infection, but not from bad bacteria. It is when your own chemisty, your own natural bacteria is not balanced. It means one of the bacteria that are normally present on people has over grown and caused your PH balance to be off. This can happend if you are with a new partner because you are not use to their chemistry, a partner who has been with another partner because you would then be exposed to that chemisty even if your partner washed himself this chemisty would linger on them but not cause them any problems it is only a female problem, you have health problems like the polycystic ovary syndrome, or you are introducing bacteria to the area in some way. Even touching yourself without washing your hands first could cause this to happen. I would do the soap test. Soap up in the shower and see how foamy the soap becomes. If it's really foaming a ton and possibly has a bad smell, that means the soap is reacting to your PH balance and that would be a sign that your PH balance is off.  Your doctor has a special medication to treat this type of infection. I recommend you get one of those bullet shaped vibrators. I am telling you, the shower will be nothing compared to this and it won't make you sick, but you should always wash it down with rubbing alcohol everytime you are done with it. Anyways the bullet is awesome and much more powerful. You'll be done in a few minutes and save tons of water!!! You'll never even think about the shower again. I hope I've been able to help. I wonder how many of us woman have had these problems? I've never had an opportunity to tell anyone about this happening to me before.

[Burning69]

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my symptoms.

I haven't actually had any bladder infections since last August, but, I do know how bacteria can linger and only sometimes be symptomatic.
What is BV?
I've used a shower head to masterbate for years and years, and onetime I am positive it was the direct cause of a bladder infection. I am currently trying to ween myself off of it, but it's hard, but I know it needs to be done. Not only for my health, but also because it wastes so much water.

I've used the shower head much less since I've had troubles with my labia, but still have sex with my partner fairly frequently.

Thanks again,
Burning69