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[MillieMoo10]

Hello, I was wondering if any of you ladies can offer advice on my ongoing problem.  I went to my GP with vulva itching some months ago and she said I had a fungal infection and prescribed a steroid cream, this cleared it up initially but it came back a few weeks later.  She then prescribed Daktarin anti fungal cream and a emoillment moisturiser and again this cleared it up but it came back 2 weeks after I finished the Daktarin.  I stopped the emoillment thinking maybe it had too many chemicals in it for this delicate area and switched to Yes VM but this hasn't cleared it up either.  I have another phone appointment next week but to be honest I think she's running out of ideas  I stopped using anything with chemicals in a long time ago only organic sanitary wear etc. I'm 54 and perimenopause and the GP says she sees no sign of VA. Any advice would be appreciated.

[dahliagirl]

If it ain't nothing else, then local oestrogen.

That helped me - I was very itchy and dry between outer and inner labia and skin had gone dry like any other skin. Also very itchy pubes which got thinner.  This was way before I had VA type symptoms of thrush and BV & urinary problems which also went with local oestrogen (bladder not so much though  )

You can get oily stuff - olive&bee or Yes oil based etc which help too.

Local oestrogen - vagifem tablets are very tidy and work but I use them lower down.  Cream can be used inside and out but more messy.

Sometimes, even with hrt, you need the local stuff as it does not get to the required place.

You can't always "see" VA until it is advanced.

[CLKD]

Do read our threads on vaginal atrophy.  Did your GP take swabs to see if there was a fungal infection and did she give it a name?

Ring and ask for appropriate treatment for vaginal atrophy.  You don't need an examination nor blood tests. 

As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out  ; skin, scalp, between the toes, deep in the ears, eyes, vagina, anus .......   VA can mimic repeated urine infection-type symptoms off, mainly the need to pee .........

Let us know how you get on!

[MillieMoo10]

Thank you so much for your replies.

No swab or bloods were taken to test for the infection she just looked and said that is what it was ! and no chance of getting a swab taken now with Covid. I was thinking about localised oestrogen but I'm not sure she will prescribe it as she said I had no signs of VA. If she won't prescribe it I will give the oil based moisturisers a go and see if that helps.

Will let you know how I get on with the phone consul next week.

[CLKD]

Do tell the GP that most VA isn't visible if she is anti., suggest that 4 your peace of mind you would like to try it for 3 months ;-).  Mine was diagnosed by the GP over the 'phone  - on symptoms as well as having 3 urine samples tested negative.  Be careful what you apply into the vagina there are products designed for that area.

[dahliagirl]

Have a look at MaryJane' posts.

I got prescribed after a clear swab confirmed no infections.

It may be just worth asking straightforwardly what you want to try and taking the conversation from there.  I did this last time I changed hrt  - booked an appointment with a doctor and just asked and got it    after two years of trying to get the nurse, who I was directed to by reception, to listen, and who was hell-bent on taking me off hrt altogether dead on year 5 (and could never remember what hrt did what so not a lot of help).  At least if she says no, you can ask for reasons and work on that.

Write a list of points.  I always find a list helpful, even if I never use it in the end.

[MillieMoo10]

Thank you I might try the 3 month suggestions.  I am a bit wary of taking hormones (4 years ago my daughter suffered a pulmonary embolism after 6 weeks on the contraceptive pill).  I understand it doesn't have the same risk for blood clots as full HRT but it is still a bit of a risk as I understand it 

[racjen]

Is the itch entirely external i.e. not inside the vagina too? It sounds like no-one has suggested it could be lichen sclerosis - probably because very few people have heard of it and many GPs won't recognise it. It's not very common, but usually appears around menopause and isn't the same as VA. It's an auto-immune condition which causes the skin of the vulva to thin, making it very itchy and sore. Sometimes it shows up as silvery-white pearly patches of skin on the vulva and around the anus. If it is this, then the steroids would've given temporary relief as they're the only treatment on a regular basis, but to know for sure you need to be referred to a specialist for a biopsy - it can't be diagnosed by symptoms alone. Mine was mistaken for thrush at first but when it didn't respond to treatment luckily my GP recognised it and sent me for a biopsy. It's important to get it recognised as untreated it can increase the risk of skin cancer. I'd go back and ask to be checked again.

[MillieMoo10]

Thank you Racjen, the itch is entirely external and the irritation is red in colour not silvery white, it would be good to have it looked at again but that's not likely to happen in the near future 

[CLKD]

You could use a mirror to keep a beady eye on the area ;-)

[Donna-paul]

I had same and had a biopsy and it came back chronic dermatitis of the vulva. I’m under dermatology and I will list the things that have helped me. At beginning steroid cream then hydromol ointment to wash all over with and moisturise all the time with. Don’t use any perfume products cotton underwear and wash with non bio soap powder. You should be checked for LS as it’s same symptoms.

[MillieMoo10]

Thank you Donna-paul that would be great.  It does look eczema like although I've never had it before, I will mention this to doctor and see what she says 

[CLKD]

That reads like 'don't use cotton underwear' 

[MillieMoo10]

I didn't even notice that but I knew what you meant 

[CLKD]

I knew what she meant.  I think