vulva hot, stinging and burning

[Sunflower22]

Hi,

I'm posting here because I really am at my wits end and hope maybe peple will have some suggestions as to what is going on with me! For the past year, I have been experiencing burning and stinging in my vulva (which is NOT made worse by peeing), which comes and goes but can last for over a month and is extremely uncomfortable. The area looks normal, and there is no unusual discharge. The last time I had these symptoms was in March - they came on suddenly with a stinging sensation, and lasted for 6 weeks. During this time, I was tested for all STDs (all negative), tested for bacterial infections (negative) and treated repeatedly for thrush (even though all lab tests came back negative). Eventually, the symptoms eased on their own. I dont use chemical irritants etc so dont think thats the problem. My symptoms returned 5 weeks ago - again, all tests are negative, I was treated again for thrush (no relief, and lab test came back negative).

Could the repeated topical thrush treatment have made things worse? Also, I've heard of conditions called lactobacilliosis and cytolytic vaginosis (overgrowth of lactobacilli). My symptoms do not appear to be related to my menstrual cycle - there is no particular pattern - but could overgrowth of lactobacilli still be my problem? I would like to hear from anyone who has suffered from lactobacilli overgrowth.

Sorry for the long post but I really would appreciate some advice!

[YesGod]

I have been having these same issues for the last 4 years. I have seen several gyns, internal med dr, urologist and gastro dr yet still no results. I had a partial hysterectomy 4 years ago and thought my symptoms were related to this procedure. My gyn placed me on probiotics and replens, didn't work. My job is stressful and this made my promblem even worse. The burning was so severe my thighs were even on fire and I would place ice packs on my vaginal area to cool, no discharge but the odor was unbearable. I would leave work to go home to shower and 1 hour later the odor was back. I am a very clean person and extremely particular about hygiens so needless to say felt like I was losing my mind and was extremely frustrated. My doctor told me I am very healthy and maybe this was in my head.  I wasn't sexually active due to being embarresed that my partner would detect the odor, he couldn't possible understand. I stop being social due to the embarressment that others would smell me. Urine smell, garbage and wet animals; smell just unbearable and would lite up an entire room. When I sit down it got worse, the heat would activate the odor, not to mention the stress. I was treated for yeast infections, BV and absolute no detection of STD and no discharge of symptoms of yeast infection but a liquid discharge at times, nothing helped. I was so desperate I would go to emergency room in the middle of night, it was mentally draining me and destroying my life, thank God for excellent insurance. I am currently 43 and was wondering if this is what life is in my 40s, I dread my 50s. I started doing research for myself since doctors couldn't help me, started with yeast cleanse from the health food store, Oregano to kill bacteria, probiotics, Tree tea oil suppositories for odor and kill bact, worked for a week or so but came back even stronger.I changed eating habits by deleting sweets, high carb foods, soft drinks, coffee and increased water to 120 oz daily; nothing worked but I have lost 22lbs so something good came out of this ordeal.  I did not know what else to do until I stumbled across a website 6 days ago that was discussing everything I was going thru.  HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND BAKING SODA.  I know douching isn't good for you but I started by placing baking soda and warm water in douche bottle and cleaning daily, odor still lingered 4 hours later but still progress for me. I started washing my body with baking soda and water using no soaps, I was desperate to overcome this issue so I could have my life back. The sight I came across stated to use 50% peroxide and water solution, saok in tampon and insert for 30 minutes; no more than 1 hour. I started doing this immediately, the burning eased up, when I first did this the burning became more severe but 30 minutes later I started feeling some relief and no more odor. Still wasn't too optimistic due to trying so many remedies and no success. I placed the peroxide and water in douche bottle while in shower and felt the relief.  OMG; the burning was very little and no odor. Ok, the true test will be when I start moving around and sweating in my private quarters; will the odor and burning reappear, then another trip to the restroom. For 4 years I took a bath cloth, or wipes, soap, pantyliners, sensitive dove or natural soaps and extra panties wherever I go in the event I need to try to wash the odor away; how time consuming and frustrating. I dreaded business meeting that lasted more than a hour; the fear of my vaginal odor.  I went to work, 6 hours passed and no odor; feeling optimistic at this point. I decided to stick with this recommended home remedy, atleast until issue dimenish. I insert tampon in the am for 30 minutes to a hour and same thing before I go to bed. When I take a shower I douche with the peroxide and water. I haven't had to take a shower 3 to 4 times a day and slowly taking myself off the pantyliners. I haven't used my backup panties the last 3 day and I am gaining my confidence back.  I am now on day 6 and no odor ,Thank God! The peroxide is a healthy way to help kill unhealthy bacteria, I take probiotics daily and continue with a semi-balanced meal; lost 22 lbs since I cut out the sweets and high carbs. I hope this is helpful because I know the struggle and pain this causes to a person's life. I will continue until this issue is resolved. Good luck all!!!!

[heretohelpforyou]

It sounds like your symptoms could add up to be a condition called Vulvodynia.  The condition usually consists of stinging or pain in the vulva area. People usually go through many tests all coming back negative and rarely get a proper diagnoses because it is not widely know of. It is caused by inflammation. My suggestion would be to research this further online and if your symptoms seem to match up talk to your doctor. Hope this helps!

[netty01]

Im having the same symptoms of you and have all negative tests from Gyno. Now on 3rd visit to Vulva Dermatologist. I dont know if she will do a biopsy. I have been wearing tampons for a few weeks and it is not helping with this soreness around Labia. Let us know what happens with your Dermatologist. Good luck!

[kfromTX]

I have had the same problems as most of the women posting on this blog.  It started in 2004 after I had a very bad kind of bacteria colonize in my sinus's and had to go on massive amounts of antibiotics and other medications to get rid of it.  During those few months, my body broke down and I developed shingles on my hoo ha (yes you can get shingles on your vagina).  My OB/GYN tested for herpes.  The results verified that is was herpes 3 and not 2 the sexually transmitted disease (I was in a committed relationship).   The sores healed up but I was left with this burning sensation (that felt kind of like a UTI) that would get worse as the day went on and keep me up at night.  More antibiotics and yeast pills but the pain stayed.  Finally I was sent to a pain specialist and he put me on Gabapentin, what a miracle it was!  It is under the diagnosis of Post herpetic neuralgia, PHN.  Luckily, this is NOT a drug you can develop an addiction too.  At the time of diagnosis all I wanted was relief and to not be sick.  The antibiotics finally cleared up my infection and slowly I returned to health, but even ten years later I always wondered why the "sensation" would still come and go.  Was it really PHN or something else?  So a few months ago I decided to see if I could stop the gabapentin all together.  The only side effect I get from the gabapentin is being a little numb to things, it is a nerve blocker after all.   I had my new OB/GYN run all kinds of tests and everything was clear no infections or abnormalities.  I dropped all the way down to 150mg a day but that is where the irritating sensation came back.  The pain goes from the inside of my vagina up my spine so to speak hence the PHN nerve diagnosis.  My gut tells me it's not PHN so I look on the web from time to time to see what else it might be.  My point to this post is that finding a way to numb the sensation has allowed me to live a normal life and get a decent night’s sleep. Whether it is PHN or something else is to be determined.  I take my pill around 4-6 pm so that it is in my system by bedtime and sleep well at night.  BTW, before I was diagnosed with shingles/PHN I took massive amounts of Advil to dull the pain, unfortunately I became “sensitive” to ibuprofen and aspirin (ibuprofen has aspirin in it) which is really bad.  If you take too much and become “sensitive” It is like having and allergic reaction and having anaphylaxis.  So beware don’t over use Advil to dull the sensation.  Hope this helps.  

[lisabobisa]

I have suffered for 2 years with this throbbing, burning pain only on my left side and no one seems to know what it is. I will try this immediately.  Thank you for the tip :)
lisabobisa

[dodybib]

I see that this is an old, old post.  However, get tested for diabetes. I am a small person and was not overweight with no family background of diabetes.  I was pre diabetic and once began losing a little weight and watched the sugars and white foods, I have no longer had the problem.  I, also, only wear cotton panties now. Hope this problem has long since passed!