Painful Lady Bits

WonkersMagoo

So I'm hoping that at least one of you might be able to provide some insight because I'm totally at a loss. In the beginning of June, I started having pain in my external lady bits. Walking, putting my legs together to sleep on my side or drive and sitting became painful activities. Saw my O/B and she put me on a mild steroidal cream. This made things better for about 2 weeks. Then it resurfaced. This time my O/B did a swab and put me on medication for a yeast infection. Although the culture came back negative, she said spores might not show up on the test and since it was helping, to finish the treatment. Again, I was fine for a little over a week. Then the pain resurfaced again and they tested me for both fungus and bacteria. They found that I had a higher than usual amount of Strep, so they put me on a round of antibiotics. Same result--temporary fix. This last round, they again found no fungus, but put me on a cream that helped for about a week. Now I'm back where I started. 

Has anyone experienced anything like this before? I've never had any sort of vaginal problems at all before this and when it is in full force, I am absolutely miserable. Aside from telling me during external exams that I look really sore (thank you!) they can't tell me much. I don't want to take more medication, but I don't think I can deal with the pain for another 9 weeks without help. I've tried cotton underwear (changed often or with panty liners), loose clothing, stitz baths, ice, sitting and resting cowboy style as much as possible, cranberry tablets, and probiotics. Advice on pain relief or potential causes of this awesomeness are greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening! 

Emerald27

I have soreness down below that I figured was just related to increased blood flow and swelling in the area...but it sounds like you mean redness or that the skin is raw and irritated?

themiss

Same as PP. I have some more painful days, but it doesn't feel like a yeast infection, or skin problem. More like it's just tender and sore, and I assumed it was excess blood or pressure from the baby.

WonkersMagoo

Emerald27 said:

I have soreness down below that I figured was just related to increased blood flow and swelling in the area...but it sounds like you mean redness or that the skin is raw and irritated?

I think the extra blood flow is probably exacerbating the problem along with all of the added discharge, but yes, it looks sore and is sore to the touch. 

Emerald27

Ok. Do you use soap to clean the lady bits? Is it scented or dyed?

ETA: I would try going commando at home to let yourself air out, especially while you sleep. Use unscented/dyed detergent for your laundry, and use only very gentle soap like Ivory to clean the lady bits.

Emerald27

And also stop shaving for a while, if you routinely groom the plume. Just let it be all natural so that it can heal. Coconut oil can soothe and speed healing too, but not too much and not too often (maybe once a day or every other day).

WonkersMagoo

Emerald27 said:

Ok. Do you use soap to clean the lady bits? Is it scented or dyed? ETA: I would try going commando at home to let yourself air out, especially while you sleep. Use unscented/dyed detergent for your laundry, and use only very gentle soap like Ivory to clean the lady bits.

I use unscented everything and I haven't so much as touched a pair of scissors to that area since this started (which is freaking annoying). I'll look into the coconut oil thing. Thank you. 

pnwlover12

You could try taking "Fem-Dophilous" it is a probiotic that is specifically geared towards vaginal health. My mifwife has me take it because I was group B strep + with my first pregnancy.

SCMomma

I also take fem dophilus, and it's done great things for my vagina. I've used plain yogurt externally when things got particularly uncomfortable, and it was very soothing. And I would rinse with a big cup of water after every bathroom trip and use a hair dryer on cool to make sure things weren't staying overly moist.

So sorry you're struggling with this. Having sick lady parts is the worst

beachbumsc

Hmmmm....if it is a fungus or something bacterial- could you and your SO be passing it back and forth?  I only say this because the treatment seems to be working, but it keeps reoccurring.   

WonkersMagoo

beachbumsc said:

Hmmmm....if it is a fungus or something bacterial- could you and your SO be passing it back and forth?  I only say this because the treatment seems to be working, but it keeps reoccurring.   

Pretty sure that would require some sort of funny business and, poor guy, I've been much too sore for that stuff. :-/ Good thought though. 

WonkersMagoo

Thanks those of you who posted soothing suggestions. I appreciate your feedback!

pushgal84

Depending on how long you've let yourself go down there, grooming wise, you may find a little trim helpful. Not shaving or a really close trim, but just enough to clear out some of the brush. I found that when things got a little out of control, it was making the moisture situation much harder to manage.

WonkersMagoo

pushgal84 said:

Depending on how long you've let yourself go down there, grooming wise, you may find a little trim helpful. Not shaving or a really close trim, but just enough to clear out some of the brush. I found that when things got a little out of control, it was making the moisture situation much harder to manage.

Hmmm...I hadn't thought of that but it makes sense. I feel like I'm a constant faucet, which makes me reluctant to "air things out." You just can't win...Well, it can't hurt to give it a whirl!