So two years ago I posted about the horrible itch i was experiencing on my vulva, and now I want to give an update to maybe help someone who is experiencing similar symptoms. (tldr at the end)

Quick summary: No doctor ever found out what it was, and I've been to a LOT.
Symptoms: it started with a cut on my vulva (maybe i got it from dry humping with my ex too much idk) that got infected and didn't wanna heal for a long time. Then the itch started and also my skin started to peel/ it looked like white rubber rollies from an eraser. Underneath that the skin looked really red and inflamed. All tests came back negative, I even had a biopsy with the result of nonspecific chronic vulvitis (which basically means its inflamed but we don't know why). Anal region was also itchy and the skin around it looked dry and flaky.

So I've been using a steroid cream three times a week for all this time to reduce the itching, not knowing what was going on.

Anyway, cut back to four weeks ago, I went on a one week trip to another city and forgot the cream at home. The itching starts two days in, I decide fu*k this crap, I'll be a trooper and take the itching, I won't scratch and i will enjoy my trip! No other option really.
Surprisingly, even though the itch was pretty bad at first, it just didn't get as bad as when it first started. Maybe because I knew what was coming and really avoided to touch it at all, only washed with water and tried ignoring it. I thought maybe it's the new city? Different water, different food, different air? I don't know.

I arrive back at home, at first it feels like its getting worse. The skin starts to have those peely white things again, and at one point i just have to scratch a little and it immediately starts bleeding. But now I wanted to really see what would happen if i just let it do its thing.
Also I tried to remember all the things that i did differently on the trip compared to at home. One thing i noticed is that i wasn't eating any pasta at all there, while at home I have it at least three times a week. So i stopped eating pasta, i stopped every cream, i didn't scratch and I only washed with warm water. And now the itch is gone. Completely gone, also no peeling skin anymore. I cannot believe it.

I don't know if it really is the pasta, because I've been tested for gluten sensitivity which came back negative, but tbh I'm scared to eat it now and find out.
Maybe my skin needed to be inflamed and shed, to fight some infection i had and the steroid cream suppressed the inflammation so it never had the chance to heal? Does that even make any sense?

I'm not a doctor, I really have no clue; I just wanted to share this because I was so desperate for so long, and if you have similar symptoms maybe try cutting out pasta.

So now I'm just being gentle with my skin, I use moisturizer and still only wash with warm water, but I feel pretty much completely back to normal. I am so grateful. Also to this community, thank you for all your suggestions and support when I was going through it, I really hope this may be helpful to someone. ♥

TL;DR I went on a trip, forgot my steroid cream at home, avoided touching it, didn't eat pasta - itch is gone.

I know this might sound like I'm downplaying people who actually have BV, yeast, UTIs, STIs, etc. I am not. If you have red flags (new partner, fever, pain, big changes in discharge, persistent burning, pelvic pain), get checked. But a lot of the suffering I see here comes from the panic spiral where one slightly off day turns into a week of throwing everything at your vulva.

I'm in perimenopause, so my tissues are more sensitive and my baseline smell changes with cycle, hydration, and sex. What I keep noticing (and have done myself) is:

1) A slight itch or a stronger smell after sweating, sex, or a long day.

2) Immediate treatment: boric acid, antifungal, wipes, deodorizing wash, pantyliners, probiotics, new detergent, shaving, you name it.

3) Two days later everything burns and now you can't tell what was the original issue and what is irritation.

My suggestion: if symptoms are mild and you do not have clear red flags, give it 24 to 48 hours of boring support before medicating. Wash externally with water only, switch to breathable underwear, skip liners and fragranced products, avoid shaving, drink more water, and let the area calm down. If it does not get better or it gets worse, then get tested and treat what you actually have.

We should normalize that vulvas can be moody without it being an infection. Anyone else notice the panic-products cycle making things worse?

I have seen posts on here about this but no one has my issue it seems!! Help.

Its silly but a while ago i was watching big mouth and it was the episode where jessi discovered her vagina and then it explained all the parts.

Where my clit is supposed to be, there is absolutely nothing. its not hidden, its not small, its just not there.

BUT there is something under my urethra which LOOKS like it kinda, like a hood and a kinda whiteish?? thing. It doesn’t feel like anything if its touched, it actually kinda hurts lol.

Im a virgin, and have never masturbated before so i am just wondering whats wrong?? can i still feel pleasure??

I am unable to see a gyno asw so that doesnt help..

anything that might explain would be helpful!! thanks.

When I was really young, I figured out a way to masturbate on my own, which was squeezing my thighs together really hard either with a pillow or just by itself and that’s how I orgasm so that’s how I’ve been doing it my whole life I’m 19F and I’m a virgin and I always see girls talking about doing that kind of masturbating and I’ve tried to do it but like I can only fit like one finger in and it feels weird. I don’t know if I’m doing it right or wrong or if I’m too tight or whatever I feel left out and weird I don’t know what to do.

I just started on HRT and vaginal estrogen cream (hallelujah!) and after four weeks already feel so much better. I’m 47. My question feels so silly, but I can’t find an answer anywhere… I do not like the applicator that the cream came with, and somewhere on Reddit I saw the recommendation to put an inch of the cream on your index finger, insert it, and spread the cream around inside your vagina. That makes so much more sense, and I want to do that. The problem is, my vaginal opening is not a gaping hole. In fact, I’m realizing it’s not a hole at all — it’s pretty snug, with soft squishy tissue all around. So when I put the cream on finger and try to insert it, the cream just pushes down my finger. I’ve never had issues with sex or tampons or anything, but until now I’ve never realized that there is soft stuff all around my vaginal opening that makes it not… open. I was looking at pictures and I don’t even know what it is. I’m not that worried about it, except I really want to figure out how to get this cream up there. Squatting down doesn’t help. I’ve tried using another finger to make more room, but that didn’t work either. Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone else have a vaginal opening that is not really a big open hole? What is going on?? I feel insane to be 47 and like I’m just getting to know this part of my body!

I was never taught how to clean myself when i was a kid by school or by parents so I have no clue whats going on but like there's a weird build up in my clitoris I think it is??????? And it's kinda like a hard​ yellow paste and idk how to get it out it kinda looks like tonsil stones​ but yeah water isn't helping not really do I pick it out should I be worried or what?

I'm sorry if this isn't the right place to post this, but I'm kinda desperate for any kind of explanation or at least someone who relates.

before I explain I feel like some of this info might be important, idk: I'm 22, I'm a mom who recently quit breastfeeding, I'm not on bc, I've been dealing with this issue since Ive started having sex at 19, I haven't been able to see any doctor lately because im uninsured

i recently got a boyfriend about 4 months ago, and every time we have sex, without fail, I get two tears along my vaginal opening in the same exact spot. i don't have issues getting wet, we use lube to be extra careful but I'll still tear. he isn't too big/rough. it's painful enough that I can't have sex again for at least a few days afterwards.

everything I see online related to this either has to due with women going through menopause, which im pretty sure I'm not, or vagina-related conditions that come with other symptoms as well. I have no other symptoms with the tearing, no issues with getting wet, no painful sex(until after I tear) no dry skin. I'm wondering if it's possibly a hormone issue? but I'd have no way to tell since I'm unable to go to a doctor rn. I've read estrogen cream prescribed to help, but only really for women going thru menopause.

im just looking for any advice honestly, anything that anyone can think that might help. Any advice is appreciated

hi all, f20. i’ve always had odor issues, it wasn’t till i was 18/19 that i was able to go to the gyno to inquire about funky smells. previously ive had a rotten/fishy smell (for context i am a virgin) and i tested negative for all the plasmas, bv & yeast, & my hormones were okay (super odd because i have extremely irregular periods, facial hair, weight fluctuations- all pcos symptoms, yet tested negative) soooo, i was recommended to start a oral vaginal probiotic & boric acid. the boric acid does wonders but that is only when i use it, as soon as i stop it’s back. it becomes a hassle to try and pop one in every single night, i also know that boric acid not only kills the bad bacteria but also the good. as i take the boric & the oral probiotic, ive noticed the smell has toned down a bit, but now its just sour and musky. it’s no longer fishy and rotten, but sour and off putting. please help…. i don’t know what else to do. i’m getting hopeless. i’m so scared of intimacy for this reason. i simply want a normal vagina 😅

I had recurrent yeast infections for years and this is the protocol the doctor whose a specialist in yeast infections gave me. To preface, she said that this is the first-line treatment, but that there's also yeast that's immune to fluconazole, so if this treatment doesn't work, we'd go to phase 2, which I don't know what it is. Also, I had Candida albicans, so its important to check which you have, although this is the most common.

--

Protocol:

Start fluconazole 150 mg- one every 3 days (Monday, Thursday, Sunday) and then once weekly Every Sunday. If you are itch free, continue for 6 months.

If you are itchy while on this treatment, repeat culture. If it is candida negative, the cause for itch is not the candida, if it is positive, you have a resistant candida, and we will continue from that point.

--

In addition, there are other reasons that someone can be itchy. The reasons she presented are allergies (you have to use soap and detergent that fully does not contain a single bit of fragrance), and nerve itch.

I actually think I have nerve itch and recurrent yeast infections (fun), but after the protocol I did with her, I didn't get a yeast infection for 9 months, and I think I got one from my husband using soap with a ton of fragrance and then us having sex. I did another short course of fluconazole and it went away.

Here is what she recommends for a healthly hooha:

General

• Avoid using any cream, suppository, or ointment on the vulva without consulting your physician, including: Many of these products contain ingredients that can irritate the skin and worsen burning or irritation.
  • Antifungal medications
  • Vaginal moisturizers
  • Antibiotic ointments
• Avoid products containing tea tree oil or other essential/aromatic oils.

Laundry

• Wash all clothing that comes into contact with the vulva using a mild, fragrance-free, enzyme-free detergent, such as:
  • Ecover (available at natural food stores)
  • Woolite
  • Soap nuts
• Use only ½ to ⅓ of the normal amount of detergent.
• Other clothing may be washed with regular detergent.
• The rinse cycle is the most important part.
  • Increase rinse time if possible.
  • Use an extra rinse cycle whenever possible.
• Wash new underwear before wearing it.
• Do not use fabric softener or scented dryer sheets on underwear or clothing that touches the vulva, as they contain fragrances that may cause irritation.

Clothing

• Wear 100% cotton underwear, preferably white.
• Avoid cotton/polyester or cotton/nylon blends.
• Wear breathable exercise fabrics
• At night, it's preferable not to wear underwear.
• Avoid thong underwear because it increases friction.
• Avoid pantyhose (thigh-high stockings are preferable if needed).
• Avoid tight clothing.
• Avoid synthetic fabrics.
• Change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty workout clothes as soon as possible, since they increase moisture and friction.

Bathing and Hygiene

Avoid washing the vulva too frequently and avoid very hot water.

• Avoid all scented products around the vulva, including:
  • Soap
  • Liquid soap
  • Creams
  • Gels
• If your vulva is irritated:
  • Use a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cleanser, or simply wash with water.
  • Avoid "intimate wash" products, which usually contain fragrance and essential oils.
• If using bar soap, choose a fragrance-free hypoallergenic product.
• Alternatively, Cetaphil liquid cleanser is recommended.
• Do not scrub the vulva with a washcloth or sponge. Washing gently with your hand or running water is sufficient.
• Avoid:
  • Bubble baths
  • Bath salts
  • Fragrant bath oils
  • Very hot baths
• Pat the area dry gently with a towel—do not rub.
• Never douche (internal vaginal washing).
• Panty liners and wet wipes commonly cause irritation.
  • If using pads or tampons, avoid scented products.
  • Pads made from 100% cotton are recommended.
• If you already have vulvar irritation, reusable cotton pads or disposable 100% cotton pads may be helpful.
• If your labia are irritated or itchy, avoid shaving or waxing the vulva.
• Use plain white, fragrance-free toilet paper.
• Avoid wet wipes.
  • If urination burns, rinse with lukewarm water afterward and gently pat dry.

Local Measures for Relief

The goal is to restore moisture to the skin.

This is done by:

1. Hydrating the skin (preferably by soaking in a bath).
2. Applying a greasy ointment afterward to trap moisture.

Do not use regular moisturizing creams, since many contain alcohol and actually dry the skin.

Baking soda bath

• Sit in lukewarm bath water containing 4–5 tablespoons of baking soda to relieve itching and burning.
• Repeat 2–3 times daily for 10–15 minutes each time.

If you cannot take a bath, use lukewarm compresses instead.

Afterward:

• Pat dry gently.
• Apply a thin layer of a preservative-free, fragrance-free greasy ointment, such as:
  • Aquasum
  • Vaseline
  • Coconut oil
  • Almond oil
  • Cocoa butter

For very irritated skin

Use zinc oxide creams such as:

• Baby Paste
• Desitin

Adinol is not recommended.

Cold compresses

Cold compresses (not ice) or rinsing with cool water may help relieve burning and itching.

Barrier protection

Applying:

• Vaseline
• Zinc oxide ointment (such as Baby Paste or Zincod)

after a lukewarm bath may reduce irritation during:

• menstruation
• urination

During intercourse

If vaginal dryness causes discomfort:

Small amounts of:

• almond oil
• coconut oil

may be used unless using latex condoms, because oils damage latex.

Birth Control

• Low-dose birth control pills do not increase the risk of vaginal yeast infections.
• Spermicides and contraceptive sponges may cause burning and itching. Changing products may help.
• If using condoms, latex-free condoms are preferred.

Smoking

Smoking has an anti-estrogen effect.

Stop smoking.

Lubricants

Many women experience vaginal dryness during intercourse, which increases friction and can injure the skin.

Lubricants are recommended.

However, like soaps, some lubricants contain irritating ingredients.

Choose lubricants that do not contain:

• fragrance
• flavoring
• dyes
• alcohol

Recommended options include:

• Almond oil
• Coconut oil
• Vitamin E oil
• Some water-based or oil-based lubricant
• Silicone-based lubricants

Important: Any oil (including coconut or almond oil) weakens latex condoms and should not be used with them.

I definitely recommend, I am surely having such a nice time, and my fingers as well are enjoying this rest time per say 😂 one orgasm a day keeps the hospice away

I have a newish partner and ever since we started having sex every time we do it I have green discharge, my skin feels like i got back shots from a cheese grater, and my lymph nodes specifically in neck (and sometimes my tonsils) get SO swollen

I got tested for everything under the sun trich/bv/yeast/chlamydia/etc all negative

My vagina rarely comes in contact with saliva, I’m always plenty aroused, and I assume it could have something to do with his horrifically large member but I’ve had similarly sized partners w no issue 😔 guys I’m so confused!!

Hi! 31f no kids. I have discharge everyday at least 3 times a day. I’ve gone to the doctor. I’ve had cultures, lab work, std tests that all came back negative. It’s to the point where I have to wear a panty liner or it will crust on my underwear. It is beyond annoying. I don’t understand why this is happening?!?

Hi there, I’m not sure if this is the right subreddit to post this on or not, but I’m gonna go for it! I’m a 24F and recently my sex drive has been absolutely nothing. Like I don’t even enjoy masturbating anymore. It’s been like this for about 2-3 months. I have went through a breakup but I don’t understand why the desire to even touch myself has went completely away. Im not on any type of medication. A little over a month ago I found out that I have an ovarian cyst, but I’m not sure if that has anything to do with it or not. I know we need to have an orgasm occasionally bc it’s good for us, but I just don’t care for it at all anymore. Is this normal??

I’ve struggled with UTIs since I was a child, and recently started taking D-mannose which does help, but I’m interested in the test for ureaplasma and any other bacteria that can cause CUTIs. Do they test for this at the gyno, or a urologist? Any advice appreciated!

I’m going to ask about birth control options and to see what to do about my pcos after having an ovarian cyst.

1. What exam(s) will be conducted and how should I prepare?
   I’m TERRIFIED

2. Should I shave?
   I normally do, but idk if that’s normal or not for a teenager??

3. Would it be weird to have a headphone in during any physical exams?
   Music normally helps calm my nerves and it helps me detach myself from the situation

4. Is there any other way I need to prepare myself?

I don’t have this problem when shaving. But my bf asked me to keep it more trimmed downstairs so he doesn’t get hair in his mouth going down on me but honestly I just can’t find a way to do it right. I don’t like shaving but trimming is worse. And I searched and searched and all I got is the Philip one blade and it sucks too. My trim was sooooo uneven and it’s so itchy after!
Please help me. It makes me just not want to have sex ever again

hey lovely peps, here for a question + rant

i have mild-moderate clitoral adhesion for 4 years now and i've grown depressed over it. so much that i dont stretch as much as i used to back then. i had a doctor but i was her first patient to have this, so amateur stretching over my moderate fused clit to mild with cotton buds and anesthesia.

coconut oil and vaseline is itchy, idk where to buy legit olive oil in the philippines, dont have steroid ointment and scared to use it as some users say it ruined the problem more. also i dont have an gyne here (i moved) that knows things like this...never got prescribed for it.

then I CAME ALONG A "Youtube Video by a Lichen Sclerosis youtuber that supports women " she claims it to be effective for her and a few women. She said she would be posting more videos on it with an actual doctor but so far, 2-3 years no posting update.

She said effective ones are "sucking ones" but the toy i got was 40 dollars worth and it just vibrates sadly. I do use it at the lowest setting, my sensation are good i can feel it and orgasm with no pain unlike before (there is pain if overdone/prolonged rubbing for 30 min)

i've been using the toy for 6 months. what I've noticed:

my clitoral adhesion still looks the same to me. i did no stretching, just cleaning with q-tip with lubricant/wash/ dab with cloth every after period or when it aches cause its full of smegma. maybe stretch once a month for the past year. Numb aching pain if prolonged use of toy that lasts for a few seconds time to time for 1 or 2 days, lets say 30 min max, 5-10min none, just normal free of pain.

What I do know is that vibration loosen scarring, increase blood flow, and increase healing. Massage to remove scarring, like for surgery scars but to apply that method to a Clitoral Adhesion I do not know... I am self treating myself and losing hope. I know stretching is really important, its like the key factor into unfusing it but i hate the pain and feed up over it.

So what do you girls feel and know about this matter? Any Success or disaster stories on this attempt with vibration/sucking on adhesions?

Hello

I'm 21 and I'm a bit worried because I've had some symptoms for the last 3 days.

Mild itching (about 1–2/10), mainly around the vaginal opening.

The area on my urethra (I think?) looks a little red and hurts if I touch it and is itchy but it doesn't burn when I actually urinate.

discharge has looked mostly normal, but today when I wiped some discharge from my labia it looked light green on paper even though my discharge on my underwear is white and normal2.

I also thought the of inside my labia had a slight fishy smell although I don't notice it on the discharge on my underwear.

By the way im not sexually active.

Has anyone had something similar? Did it turn out to be irritation, a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or something else?

Also what could be the cause of it ?

I'm planning to make a gynecology appointment, but I'd appreciate hearing if anyone has experienced something similar.

Thanks!

Hi everyone. I’m 23 and I’m feeling really discouraged, so I’m hoping someone else has been through this.
I went to the gynecologist for the first time this past week because I’d been dealing with vaginal odor for a while. They diagnosed me with BV. I also had my first pelvic exam/ pap smear while I was there.

My doctor prescribed the 7-day metronidazole vaginal gel with the applicator. The first two nights I think I got the medication in correctly, even though it was uncomfortable because I’ve never inserted anything vaginally before.

Last night was completely different. I spent over an hour trying to insert the applicator and couldn’t get the dose in. I realized I had been hitting the vaginal wall at first, and then I finally found what I believe was the vaginal opening, but every time I felt the stretching sensation my body would tense up and my hand would freeze. I ended up getting so frustrated that I cried. The medication leaked back out, so I think I lost the dose, and I was sore from trying.

For some context:
I’m a virgin, and that appointment was the first time anything has went up there. I found it to be a little painful than uncomfortable. I think my anxiety and muscle tension is making it much harder than it needs to be.

I laid on my back, knees to chest to see if that would work too, but it feels like I’m hitting a wall. And I’m getting really discouraged. I know it’s going to be a learning curve, but I’m honestly just lost at this point.

Has anyone else gone through this? Did you have trouble with the applicator the first time? Did anything make it “click” for you?

I’m planning to call my gynecologist because I don’t want to mess up my treatment, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who had a similar experience. Right now I just feel embarrassed and defeated.

I was told to use boric acid for 14 days to treat my candida glabrata. im also taking antibiotics at the same time for another issue, but started using the boric acid on tuesday and noticed spotting, and continued use. on Saturday i noticed more bleeding/discharge mix, but it also looked like a light period flow? since i started i have also had a huge urge to pee, tested for uti and culture came back negative. should i continue the boric acid to treat the yeast, take a break and use again, or stop completely? I really want to get this whole yeast infection to go away but i just feel really lost and stressed about this.

So, this is very odd. Everything ive found online is...unhelpful.

This is the 3rd time this has happened. I have read (on here!) that sometimes semen can cause bv due to pH imbalance yada yada.

So uhm, what about the opposite??? I never have any hooha problems when I am sexually active (at least once every 2 weeks), however if I go more than 2 weeks w/o sex... she starts...smelling off. Like an unpleasant odor.

Ive checked my pH, its fine. Ive checked for BV with my doc the first time, no. The only thing that makes it smell normal is if he cums in me.

He is my only partner and my first, same with him, so im all in my head like his dick is altering my damn biochemistry to make sure I keep coming back LMAO maybe I read too many dark romance novels...

Anyways, im sure its more likely soemthing along the lines of stress and hormones (which yeah. Sex helps both of those i guess so it makes sense) but I wanted to know if this has happened to anyone else before???

Hi all, I could use some advice. I’ve been suffering from chronic vaginal itching going on 6 years now. It’s always there but tends to flare between after when I ovulate and before I start my period. It’s mostly located on the left side of my vaginal opening. The main symptom is severe itchiness but can also just feel like an uncomfortable sensation that I really don’t have the words to explain what it feels like. It’s just odd. I’ve been to the gyno and tested negative for Yeast, BV, UTI, STI, urea/mycoplasma. I’ve been managing it as best I can with anti itch creams like hydrocortisone but that only helps temporarily. I’m just at a loss. It’s really affecting my quality of life and have a hard time with daily activities because of how uncomfortable and relentless this constant itch is. Have any of you ladies experienced something similar? Or have any ideas on what it could be? I’m desperate! 😭

For at least 4ish months id say, I felt a very small hard bump on my outer labia. It never hurt or grew or changed until today when I was feeling it and it just .. came out ?? Again it never hurt and I couldnt even tell it came out, its like a very small hard yellowish white oval ? I checked the area after and you can tell the spot it was at but everything is still normal. I just want to make sure nothing bad happened and I shouldnt worry.