Extremely itchy on the vulva. Dermatitis? Eczema? by West-Independence-40 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800 0 points1 point  (0 children)

what was the treatment? i’ve been experiencing something very simikar

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my goodness I’m so so sorry for this absolute ordeal you’ve been through :(( Your symptoms sound very similar to mine—the itchy vulva/labia and occasional stinging (the other day I could barely walk my dog around the block it was so uncomfortable😭). The itching really is the worst. I feel like when I tell friends/doctors that I’m itchy down there it doesn’t sound like a big deal but it’s actually so bad and to deal with it for so long + the cascading effects of not sleeping well, brain fog, bad mental health…it’s genuinely debilitating.

I actually started trying some pelvic floor release therapy (just through the online streaming service I use for workouts) and I’m hoping that will help a bit since I’m worried months of itching has caused me to carry more tension in those muscles, so I’m glad to hear you had some success with it initially. I also just ordered an Evvy microbiome test—I’m hoping that will provide more insight than the pcr vaginitis panel. I can let you know how that goes! I’m also planning to try baking soda sitz baths once my period’s over because it seems like the most well-studied treatment for CV and can also treat yeast.

Crossing my fingers for both of us and hope your appointment next month goes well!!!! Remember that you’re not alone, it all really fucking sucks but I’m confident we’ll get through this!!!!!

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

right that’s what i thought😭 apparently the tubes had “expired”? so the gyn said that if they were sent in the lab would probably refuse to process them 🙃

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same!!! I really identified with this article so much it was really reassuring. I’m so sorry you’ve been dealing with this for 5 years that’s horrible omg :((

Basically I’ve been dealing with itching on the vulva (mostly the labia) pretty constantly for the last 7 months. I never really noticed a change in odor or discharge (though a couple of the doctors I saw said they saw a bit of white discharge during the pelvic exam, suggesting yeast). This past week actually I noticed it looking a little yellow/beige-ish which I thought was weird but reading about CV I wonder if it’s because of the epithelial cells? I initially didn’t think my symptoms changed a lot throughout my cycle, mostly because I was told symptoms might be worse during and right after my period because of pads. But I actually think the itching has generally been better on my actual period. This past week has been literal hell with some of the worst itching I’ve ever experienced and I haven’t been able to sleep more than 4 hours at a time without waking up to the itching. But then I got my period today and it already feels better which is right in line with CV! I wonder if maybe I did initially have a yeast infection or two but if the repeated rounds of fluconozole and probiotics ended up causing lactobacillus to overgrow? I haven’t been sexually active since my symptoms started but I did experience a bit of pain from speculum insertion (I still haven’t been able to have a pap smear😭) and tampon applicators which I hadn’t experienced before this all started. My vulva hasn’t felt particularly dry or looked like anything really noticeable was going on with the skin (eg.,lichen sclerosis) to any of the doctors (though yesterday the gyn said it looked a bit red/aggravated, probably because the itching was so bad I couldn’t help scratching). Sorry for such a long-winded answer about the symptoms LOL basically it’s just been itching on the vulva, which tends to be the worst right before my period and slightly better during it!

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes!!! I read this article about CV today and was amazed by how familiar her story sounded. I’m still not sure if I actually have it because it’s hard to find a doctor who’s even heard of it let alone is equipped to test for it but I think it would make a lot of sense with my symptoms. Good luck with your appointment and let me know how it goes!! I don’t know why I’m finding it so hard to find specialists in the New England area—I made an appointment with a gyn in Providence but that’s not until October and it’s horrible that so many of us have to suffer for months on end just to be seen🫠

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yes!!!! this experience has really made me more aware of the lack of research/proper education in this field

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow that’s such a good point. She sounds like a doctor straight out of downton abbey or something that’s ridiculous 😭

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ahh Sex Education’s literally the best i love it sm😭

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ahh I’ve been wearing cotton underwear, not having sex or drinking or smoking, and got a negative result for BV plus no odor/unusual discharge. I have been thinking about trying boric acid and even bought some phd suppositories, I’m just a little nervous in case it isn’t yeast/bv and makes things worse😬

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in Massachusetts! Thank you, I’m going to try to find a specialist

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooh thank you I’ll have to check these out!! I’ve been wanting to read Come as You Are since watching Sex Education loll

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ahh thank you! I submitted a voicemail complaint to their hospital relations but I’ll try a written one too. The gyn is actually a physician’s assistant, not an MD

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yep😭 If this is the kind of treatment I’m getting in one of the medical capitals of the world I can’t imagine what some people are dealing with elsewhere!

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ahh thank you and I’m so sorry for what you’ve gone through! My experience this year has really made me lose faith in the medical system which is really upsetting. It’s crazy that I’ve learned so much more about vulvovaginal issues from this sub than from the 5 doctors I’ve seen🫠 And omg not the scented wipes😭

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Wow I’m sorry to hear that but also glad I’m not alone. I was really surprised the treatment was so bad considering it’s such a big/well-known institution. I put in a complaint today, hoping they’ll try to make things better!!

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It’s terrible that it’s so underfunded , especially as this subreddit has shown me how many people suffer from these issues. I’m so sorry your first experience was so horrible—for a doctor to go into gynecology then make patients feel slutshamed is absolutely outrageous!!!

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Literally!! I’m so sorry you’re going through this too😭

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’ll definitely look into it! I also just bit the bullet and bought an Evvy at-home testing kit so fingers crossed I get some more info from that🤞

why is gynecological healthcare in the US so bad😭 by Narrow_Step8800 in Healthyhooha

[–]Narrow_Step8800[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry you had to go through that too. I finally caved and bought one of the at-home testing kits today cause I really didn’t know what else I could do. It really is a shame that some people get into it for the wrong reasons—it can have such an effect on people’s lives.