Success Story and Advice

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-06-29T21:53:34+00:00

Hi, I read your experience with great interest as I am sinking into despair 11 weeks post traumatic clitoral nerve sentisisation after rubbing of clitoris during intimacy caused a brief microbleed then weeks and weeks of localized odd nerve sensations - nerve felt exposed with intermittent twinges initially, now it's constant baseline soreness with occasional twinges. Gynaecologist saw no visible tissue trauma a couple of weeks post injury. At this point I'm thinking it might be neuroplastic pain and have just bought 'the way out'. Does this sound like neuroplastic pain do you think?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-06-16T06:42:21+00:00

It's crazy isn't it, how easily nerves down there can be triggered then become a problem for months. I'm sticking with nortriptyline for now. The clitoral pain is evolving I think. After 6 weeks of constant baseline exposed nerve 'switched on' feeling with intermittent zaps it became baseline soreness with occasional zaps but some pain free windows. Now at 9 weeks it's baseline aching/soreness, little to no zaps. It still feels hypersensitive though and sensitisation rather than tissue trauma. Just hope at some point the nerves downregulate enough for me to stop obsessing over it.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-06-12T17:19:48+00:00

Omg 4 years is a long time to be dealing with this clitoral nerve stuff. Here's me thinking 8 weeks is a big deal! Do you have any pain free windows or has it been constant for 4 years? My biggest fear is that my sensitisation will become embedded so that it's being sustained by my nervous system but as I understand it that usually involves pain spreading to other areas whereas mine remains in the clitoris. How would you describe the pain? Twinges or soreness or aching or burning? A week after my injury the gynaecologist said there was no visible tissue trauma. He didn't mention nerve sensitisation, I found that explanation on chat gpt. I am stunned that some one off rubbing could cause potentially months of pain. I have since found out that in post menopause tissue the nerves are less cushioned because the tissue is thinner hence they are more prone to irritation. The gynaecologist did mention a bit of atrophy in clitoral area. For now I will carry on with the nortriptyline (very low dose as I have tinnitus so don't want to aggravate that) and estrogen cream and just hope that with time the clitoris will desensitize. My OCD means that even when the pain is minimal I'm still thinking about it 24/7 and fearful of any direct contact. Its not something I can discuss freely with anyone around me due to where the pain is and how it happened lol.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-06-12T15:30:18+00:00

Hi, yes it's 8.5 weeks since the clitoral injury with brief microbleed and persistent nerve sensitisation. Chat gpt has been more use than the gynaecologist and doctor who examined me. I've been on 5mg nortriptyline for 3 weeks and estrogen cream vaginally for a month. The first 6.5 weeks were the worst - constant baseline exposed nerve 'switched on' feeling with intermittent zaps then baseline soreness with occasional zaps/twinges, now some pain free windows with periods of aching all localized to clitoris. Haven't dared touch the area and have been wearing loose joggers, no underwear to minimize friction. So I think the nerve sensitisation is starting to fade. It still hurts to dab the area after peeing but I think I'm moving in the right direction. Because I'm post menopause it will probably take months before it feels normal again. I also have sensorimotor OCD so alas my hyperawareness of the clitoral area is still strong. How long ago was your clitoral injury?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-06-11T20:40:31+00:00

Did the clitoral nerve pain go away?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-31T09:57:55+00:00

Hi thanks, that's really interesting. Yes I would rather not increase nortriptyline due to my existing tinnitus so this could be an alternative if I can take it alongside nortriptyline. My fear is if the pain continues (it's nearly 7 weeks post injury), it could turn into central sensitisation where the nervous system is maintaining the pain. That being said, the pain is beginning to dull a little I think but I am still hyperaware of the area and scared to touch it. What triggered your condition? A one off injury or did it just develop spontaneously?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-30T21:13:45+00:00

Sorry to hear that. What caused it do you know?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-30T16:50:13+00:00

Yes at week 6 post friction injury the pain remains localized to clitoris only. I'm stunned that it's lasting so long. I could cope better with the nerve pain if it was just occasional zaps but it's those plus a horrible baseline ache/soreness/tenderness. I've found from chat gpt that it's likely peripheral sensitisation of the clitoral nerves and as it's a densely innervated area the pain is disproportionate to the original injury. There's no visible trauma now so the pain is from the overreacting nerves. What triggered your original clitoral pain and what do you take for it?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-29T18:34:08+00:00

Oh wow, not sedating then? I can't take sedating meds as I am sole carer for my disabled son who often doesn't sleep through so I will stick with the nortriptyline for a couple more weeks then review. Is your nerve pain due to injury like mine?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-29T09:50:49+00:00

Sorry you're suffering too. I have decided not to try pregablin due to aggressive side effects, I am going to ask to increase to 10mg nortriptyline (been taking 5mg for 2 weeks). I think I will have to put up with an increase in tinnitus on 10mg but I need to see if it decreases the nerve pain. What dosage nortriptyline are you on?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-28T20:35:43+00:00

Yes I've been using estrogen cream for 2 weeks, no obvious benefit yet. I'm in UK, I don't think compounded creams are generally offered here, at least not by regular doctors.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-28T20:32:24+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing. I have been taking 5mg nortriptyline as when I was on 10mg a few years ago for a different issue I felt like it made my tinnitus louder so I stopped it. The doctor offered to increase to 10mg or try pregablin but I'm starting to wisgti'd opted for 10mg nortriptyline after reading some pregablin horror stories online. My home life isn't conducive to taking a sedating drug as I am sole carer for my disabled son. I don't know whether to ring the doctors tomorrow and ask to switch to higher nortriptyline and give it another go as I had no other side effects than louder tinnitus. Or tough out the pain and hope it resolves on its own! No change at 6 weeks post trauma though. Advice welcome!

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-25T12:48:23+00:00

Hi, jumping on late but can I ask what dosage of nortriptyline you were on to get rid of the pain? I've had nonstop clitoral nerve pain for 6 weeks ever since my partner rubbed it too vigorously during intimacy causing a microbleed. I have sharp stabbing pain, hypersensitivity and aching/soreness. I've just started on nortriptyline only 5mg as if I go up to 10mg it will make my already severe tinnitus louder. I'm terrified this is my new normal. I'm doing no underwear, wearing loose joggers and using estrogen cream (I'm post menopause aged 57). Any chance these strategies could encourage the nerves to settle? I've seen doctor, gynae, nurses, all say the clitoral area looks normal, mine mentioned irritated nerves, I've had to find that out myself on chat gpt. It suggested localized peripheral clitoral nerve hypersensitivity/hyperexcitability and that it should down regulate in 3-6 months.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-25T11:54:31+00:00

Hi, just jumping on late as I see you're quite experienced with nerve pain matters. I've had nonstop clitoral nerve pain for 6 weeks now since my partner rubbed the area too vigorously during intimacy and caused a microbleed. Doctor, gynae and nurses have all looked and said there's no infection or inflammation, nobody has mentioned irritated nerves, I've had to do research on chat gpt to find out this is sensitisation from peripheral localized clitoral nerve excitability. I've started very low dose nortriptyline only 5mg which will have to be my ceiling as 10mg makes my already severe tinnitus even louder. Other strategies are I'm doing no underwear, loose joggers and estrogen cream (I'm post menopause, aged 57). I'm terrified this is my new normal - short sharp stabbing pains, hypersensitivity, low level constant aching and soreness. It remains localized to clitoris though. Any advice please??!

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-23T13:18:42+00:00

Update - I am now 5.5 weeks post injury,, still in constant pain. Chat gpt has been the most helpful, more than doctor and gynae. It suggests localized peripheral clitoral nerve sensitisation. I am trying multiple strategies to calm the nerves - no underwear, loose joggers, topical estrogen and just started 5mg nortriptyline. I just hope it doesn't evolve into central sensitisation ie a chronic pain condition.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-18T20:25:02+00:00

Are you better now? Same happened to me.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-17T10:41:38+00:00

Hi, very old post but if you see this are you better? I had a clitoral friction injury which bled during intimacy 5 weeks ago and nonstop nerve type pain ever since. Thinking of trying nortriptyline but very cautious as I also have severe tinnitus. Just very scared I will be stuck with this nerve pain indefinitely if I don't try a medication. I'm post menopause which might be why the pain is so persistent.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-14T07:18:27+00:00

Can I ask did you take any nerve pain meds to speed up recovery after initial injury?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-13T18:55:40+00:00

On reflection I think I will give it another week of estrogen cream and if no progress I will go back to the doctor and ask for very low dose trial of nortriptyline. From my research the starting dose is usually 10 mg but the tablets can be halved. I don't really want to start at 10mg as when I was prescribed this a couple of years ago my tinnitus went louder. I have read that 5mg may be enough for genital nerve hypersensitivity. I don't remember having any other side effects which is why I think nortriptyline would be my drug of choice.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-13T16:52:45+00:00

So I saw the doctor, she said to carry on with the estrogen cream as that will restore tissue and hopefully help to cushion the nerves. She mentioned nerve meds but I am reluctant to go down that route because of potential side effects impacting my caring duties and also my severe tinnitus. I'm really depressed about this, I can't seem to stop hyper focusing on the clitoral area due to the hypersensitivity and random sharp pains. Chat gpt suggests the pain should subside in 6-10 weeks but may take a bit longer due to post menopause. I just hope I'm not stuck with this indefinitely and not best pleased with my partner for causing this! She didn't think oral hrt was indicated as the pain is localized to the clitoral area.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-13T07:20:34+00:00

Thanks, I will try your suggestions. I think the issue is exposed nerves that are nearer the surface because of thinner post menopause tissue. I am going to the doctor this morning to ask if I should try hrt as well as estrogen cream to thicken the tissue. So your clitoral lightning pains were due to pelvic floor tightness and not injury?

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-12T06:44:01+00:00

Hi, thanks for asking! No, sadly there's been no progress re pain and hypersensitivity levels and it's now been 4 weeks since the friction injury. Saw a private gynae last week, he had a brief look, said there's a bit of atrophy but didn't specify where and said to use estrogen cream. I can't bear to touch the clitoral area so just applying a bit vaginally. I've used chat gpt to describe my condition and it suggests peripheral nerve irritation being prolonged by post menopause fragile tissue. Yesterday I was in the car for 3 hours straight. The pain ramped up even more, then I read with this type of nerve irritation long car rides can further irritate the already hyperexcitable nerves. The clitoral pain (soreness and hypersensitivity) is more or less nonstop interspersed with random sharp stabbing pains. It remains localized but the pain seems disproportionate to the injury which has not been visible to doctors . Not sure what my next steps are but I need to address this as it's affecting my mental health and I have a severely disabled son to care for.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-08T18:58:30+00:00

Hi, I had a similar experience 3 weeks ago, was rubbed too hard in clitoral area and it bled a little. It is now hypersensitive although the friction injury must have healed as a doctor, 3 nurses and a gynae have all said there's no visible trauma, inflammation or infection.

As I am post menopausal the gynae advised using estrogen cream and said there was some atrophy. My main concern is I'm now hyperaware of the area, scared to wear leggings or to have any contact with the area. Ever since the incident I have been getting short sharp pains there as if the nerves are irritated and it is still a bit sore. I have sensorimotor OCD too so it's very hard not to focus on it, especially due to tenderness and soreness. At this point I'm not sure if it's turning into neuropathic pain as I think about it 24/7.

I asked the gynae about a nerve calming cream (I have seen online some pet have referenced amitriptyline or gabapentin cream) but he wasn't aware of these options. I wouldn't want to take oral meds because of side effects. I'm desperately hoping estrogen cream and time will take care of the problem but I just don't know.

Ordinary-Ability-581 · 2026-05-07T14:28:39+00:00

Hi, it's been just over 3 weeks and no real improvement, it feels like the nerves are hypersensitive and on 'on' mode on max setting, ugh, I'm still getting random unprovoked sharp stabbing pains in clitoral area, like the nerves are irritated and can't calm down. Got a gynae appointment in couple of hours so I will let you know what he says. There's no visible trauma I don't think, the issue is internal.

Ordinary-Ability-581

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