I’ve found other discussions on here that I relate to but I’m hoping for some personalized insight on what might be going on with me because I’m really freaked out at this point. This has been going on for a while so I’ll try and summarize it in concise bullet points.
- 27y/o female, no history of any kind of vaginal problems/stds/etc except one UTI about 10 years ago.
- I had a bit of a medical phobia before all this and stupidly put off a physical/my first pap smear for way too long, but I was looked at and tested about a month after my symptoms began.
- The timeline so far is this:
Early April - symptoms appear suddenly one day after a shower, right after my menstrual cycle. The only trigger I can think of is (bit TMI here) is I may have scratched the inside of my vagina on a fingernail a day or two before. I usually am careful and hyperaware of what goes in and around down there i.e. avoid soap, always clean fingers, etc. But I do remember a moment of “oh no, did I just scratch myself,” even though I didn’t really feel anything. - Besides this I can think of absolutely nothing that was recently changed or out of the ordinary (diet, medications, sexual activity, etc).
- The symptoms began as an uncomfortable, raw, burning sensation. Soon I was noticing unusual discharge, it was sometimes pinkish and chunky looking.
- A couple days after my symptoms began I used my insurance’s call-a-doc service (no PCP) and based on the description of my symptoms he assumed I had a yeast infection and prescribed me two doses of diflucan.
- I completed the prescription and my symptoms definitely subsided - the rawness and burning felt better but still present, and the unusual discharge mostly went away, but eventually returned as a more thick, white, classicly “yeast infection” presenting.
- A few weeks went by and I felt comfortable enough to resume intercourse with my husband, but the day after my symptoms flared and I feared my “yeast infection” hadn’t been fully cured.
- Early May I finally saw a doctor, got a physical, blood work, and a paper smear done. Everything came back clear but since I was still experiencing pain my doctor prescribed me another two doses of diflucan.
- I completed that prescription and waited another month to see if it would clear up after my menstrual cycle. At this point I was researching how to fight chronic yeast infections and tried cutting out almost all sugar and carbs (which my diet is admittedly heavy in).
- I lasted for about 3 weeks and have fallen off that wagon because my symptoms didn’t improve at all and I was becoming really miserable. I have avoided alcohol this entire time though.
- Early June I went back to my doctor to get a referral to see an OBGYN and unfortunately none of their offices had an opening until early August.
- Currently my symptoms are a near constant burning rawness in my inner labia and vaginal entrance. It is most tolerable in the morning and gets worse as the day goes on. Being active/clothed/sweaty does seem to aggravate it, but even when I do nothing but lay naked in front of a fan all day it hurts basically the same. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel provides temporary relief.
- I have been sleeping naked every night and going commmando/wearing airy clothing during the day as much as possible. I switched out all my underwear for new 100% cotton ones. I’ve had no sexual penetration for two months and even avoid clitoral orgasms because the “heat” and moisture of arousal feels irritating. I only clean my backside and outer labia with Cetaphil gentle cleanser, and only rinse my inner labia with warm water. I try to avoid letting any other soaps run down there as well.
Sorry for the wall of text. Even if no one can help at least I have a timeline for my OBGYN laid out..
Deeply appreciate any help. Thanks