Vaginal Tear - Herpes or Yeast Infection?

[md1733]

I have been dealing with vaginal burning and redness for 2-3 months now. The only time I find minor relief is during the week of my period and about a week thereafter. Otherwise, the levels of discomfort vary but I never feel as though the pain is ever truly gone. I'm sure my stress doesn't make it any easier...

But on to my question - Last night, a tear opened in my vaginal area. It is located under my pubic hair at the top of my outer vaginal lips. The tear bled a small amount but I saw no other fluid. I have no other tears in or outside of my vagina. I'm wondering if this tear closely resembles a herpes lesion or if it sounds more like something that would be caused by a severe yeast infection? I would get the tear swabbed and cultured, but it tends to start healing fairly quickly...

Any info is greatly appreciated!

[freya_faery]

Hi ladies.  There is another forum in here on this topic and I came across this one as well.  I cannot believe that so many of us are having the same issue with no results!  I am 24 and have suffered from these vaginal tears and itching off and on for many years.  I have found that it comes at the same general time in my menstrual cycle... and it is definately NOT HERPES!  I have regular check ups and have never been diagnosed with herpes (even before I became sexually active!).  I too think that it has something to do with the vaginal flora and the yeast levels.  I am a certified herbalist and nutritionalist, and I am starting to think that the cause for all of this may be a systemic candida infection.  Candida albicans is the scientific name for yeast.  When it becomes systemic it can cause all kinds of problems.  Google it and you will find many holistic websites that list the many and varied symptoms.  It effects everyone differently, so it can be hard to diagnose.  This is also the reason why the mainstream medical community does not really recognize systemic candida infections as a real illness.  

We are all on some version of the standard american diet... over processed foods with too much refined sugar>> candida's best friend!  I am not sure if this is a definitive answer, but don't be surprised if your GYN blows it off.  Most of them will not accept this as an answer but I am going to look into it more... Unfortunately, curing systemic candida usually requires major diet changes and a strict herbal regimen.  I will post again with more info when I can.  Good lcuk to you all... keep the info coming!

[HIGHPITCH]

Hey freya_faery,
  Thanks for your very informative comment. You're 100% correct!!!! I appreciate your knowledge. Please continue to bless with any additional info. PEACE AND BLESSINGS!!!!!!!

[rmmcg]

WOW!  I can not believe that this is such an undiagnosed and unsolved problem for us.  I have all of the SAME issues...and I'm not even going to write my history or symptoms, because they are the SAME as almost all of the posts I just read.  
So here's my question:

what can I put on my vulva to stop the itching?

And here's my tip:

try pouring a cup of cool water over your vulva while urinating when you have tears/fissures...it dilutes the urine and decreases the burning.  

And here's my theory/question/hypothesis:

are we suffering from yeast infections/varying pH levels due to estrogen level imbalances?

peace to all...and let's FIGURE THIS OUT!  :-)

[md1733]

Just a brief update ladies - Since originally submitting this post, I am really no closer to understanding what is going on...I tested negative for herpes 16+ weeks past my last initimate encounter. I have not gotten the cut for a couple of months now, but the burning and tingling pains continue after my period on a monthly basis.

I'm thinking this may be a hormonal issue - likely estrogen. I have been under enormous amounts of stress the past 6 months or so. In recent months my periods have become much lighter. Although I take birth control, I am wondering if there is not enough estrogen in my pill to overcome a natural estrogen dificiency. (However, I have had some light brown spotting today. It is about six days before my period, so I am not sure if this something abnormal or just my body secreting some old blood.)

I have been tested repeatedly for STDs and all have been negative.  I have had several wet mounts to check for BV and yeast and those were also negative. A urine culture was normal as well.

Besides hormones - other possible causes??

Hypersensitivity to yeast
pH levels
Dermatological problems - lichen planus or lichen sclerosis

Please ladies - Keep posting so we can all help each other!!

[echopk]

i've been dealing with this same thing.  it started happening about 2 years ago, and back then it was frequent (once a month after my period) and finally i used a treatment for yeast infections and it went away immediately.  it didn't return until about a month and a half ago, when i started having sex with a new partner.  it wasn't very bad and went away after a few days, no cuts this time.  then, after a particularly long sexual session a few weeks ago it came back like crazy.  i had a terrible discharge and went to the doctor.  today i got the results and was told i had a strep b infection, and given a prescription for amoxil.  i only had one cut this time, at the top of my labia which happened when i was pulling them apart to look at everything.  i have been freaking out that this is herpes, but the tests showed this strep b infection.  the only info i can find on that is for pregnant women, elderly women, or women with compromised immune systems.  i'm none of those .  has anyone had this problem?  

[jl1985]

I'm both relieved and troubled to see so many ladies having the same problem. I was worried it was herpes at first, but I have had no contact with the virus. I noticed the problem began when I became active with a new partner, like echopk said. I have had intense vaginal itching and this tear for over awhile now...only relief being during and just after my period, like someone else said! I have tried yeast treatments, including taking regular probiotic supplements, but nothing seems to help.

I think it is possible the tear comes from pulling the labia apart to see what was going on with the itching (I was doing this very frequently for awhile) and possibly from sexual activity, also.

Do you think it is safe to get a bikini wax while having this problem? I'm really not sure...