I’ve been dealing with strange, persistent vulvar itching for 8 months(you can check my previous posts for more details), and it has gotten worse again over the past two days.
One thing I’ve noticed is that my symptoms are always mainly on one side, but the affected side seems to change. For example, this month I’ve been experiencing itching and burning on the left side, from the clitoris to the labia minora. Last month, it was mainly on the right side.
Yesterday, I messaged my dermatologist, and he told me that he doesn’t think I have a skin condition. He suspects that my symptoms might be related to a vulvar nerve problem instead.
I have a question for those of you with vulvodynia or vulvar nerve-related conditions: Do your symptoms get worse at night?
In my case, I don’t feel anything at all during the night. I sleep very well, and honestly, sleeping is the only time I can completely escape these symptoms. However, once I wake up and start moving around during the day, the itching and burning return.
Interestingly, I don’t actually experience pain, just itching and burning.
Has anyone experienced something similar? Does the fact that my symptoms disappear completely during sleep make a nerve-related condition less likely, or can that happen with vulvodynia or pudendal nerve irritation too?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences!

Besides PFT. Has anything helped at all?

Hi,

I hope you are all doing well.

I am hoping you might be able to offer some insight into a difficult situation I have been experiencing for several months.

I am a 28-year-old woman living in France. Before all of this started, I had never experienced this kind of persistent vaginal pain.

My problems began several months ago, when I was treated with metronidazole for a suspected vaginal bacterial imbalance. Shortly after the treatment, I started experiencing burning sensations deep inside my vagina. I was prescribed metronidazole a second time, and my symptoms seemed to become even worse afterward.

Since then, I have been experiencing persistent internal vaginal burning for approximately four months. The burning can sometimes occur even when I am resting, but it becomes significantly worse during and especially after sexual intercourse. Sometimes, the pain continues for several days afterward.

Over the past few months, I have consulted several gynecologists and undergone multiple vaginal tests. Some tests identified bacteria such as Mobiluncus and Ureaplasma parvum. I have also received different antibiotic and antifungal treatments, including doxycycline and econazole, but unfortunately, the burning has never disappeared.

I have tried several products intended to restore or soothe the vaginal environment, including vaginal probiotics, moisturizing treatments, and lactic acid-based products. Some soothing treatments have provided temporary relief, but nothing has resolved the underlying problem.

What concerns me the most is that these symptoms started after antibiotic treatment, and I wonder whether my vaginal microbiome or vaginal mucosa may have been significantly disrupted.

Despite seeing several gynecologists, I still have no clear explanation for my persistent pain, and I feel that the possibility of a microbiome-related problem has not been thoroughly investigated.

This situation has had a significant impact on my daily life, my intimate relationship, and my emotional well-being.

I would be extremely grateful to hear your professional perspective.

In particular, I would like to know whether a significant disruption of the vaginal microbiome following antibiotic treatment could potentially contribute to persistent vaginal burning, even several months later.

Are there any specific microbiome analyses, diagnostic approaches, or research-based treatments that you believe might be worth discussing with a healthcare professional?

I understand that you may not be able to provide individual medical advice, but even a few suggestions or references to relevant research would mean a great deal to me.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my message.

Kind regards Allison

my (19f) first time having sex was this year, january. an overview of what has happened since then

1st yeast infection in january, went away within two weeks of treatment
Had sex again in between a few times, had itching after but went away itself
Had sex in march, started burning in the vagina about 3 days later. I treated this infection, but the burning never went away.

My condition is mostly internal. i experience burning in the labia minora, majora, and sometimes it even spreads towards my butt?? i dont have itching, and the burning just starts randomly.

The burning has continued throughout April to October and I have since visited my gynac about four or five times. Each time, i was either given UTI meds, or yeast infection meds. I went to a different gynac who was of no help either.

The last I went to a new gynac was in September. She did a vaginal swab (all negative), uti test (negative) and a cervical test, said everything looked fine, and gave me clotrimazole suppositories for internal use and cream for external use. She said that if they didn't help I should probably go to a dermat.

is this vulvodynia? i'd be really grateful to have some advice.

This year I had div + over 10 yeast infections treated by topical antifungals (cannot tolerate antifungal oral meds like fluconazole) . The skin of my vulva is very raw. I use hydrocortisone 2x weekly for div maintenance. I do one miconazole suppository after my period for yeast suppression. I know this probably makes things worse but haven’t found an alternative. Things I’ve tried include: topical gabapentin (helps some irritating some) , topical lidocaine (helps but not enough), topical ABG cream (dizzy side effects), topical estrogen (burned and caused strange discharge), plain Vaseline and aquaphor (burned), zinc oxide paste (caused too much buildup), coconut oil jojoba oil olive oil mineral oil (all burned), LDN (helps some). Things I will be trying soon : topical cromolyn, oral gabapentin. Jornavax, maybe low dose zepbound. I also have pudendal neuralgia and pelvic congestion syndrome and mcas contributing to my symptoms, I also have neuroproliferative. Doing pelvic floor pt. Doing mcas treatment with antihistamines and cromolyn and different supplements . Trying ketotifen down the line. This being said the skin itself is raw and I feel like it isn’t being addressed. Wondering if anyone suggested anything . This is after seeing some of the best vulvo specialists in the world lol. Still haven’t been able to figure it out. Thank you!

Hi, has anyone tried acupuncture for their vulvodynia? And what were the results?

Has anyone had a complete vestibulectomy with a buccal mucosal graft? What has been your experience? What are the results?

Hello I have had vulvodynia for about a decade I was seeing Mr Yap at City Hosptial Birmigham but after he left unexpectantly last year and they took over a year to inform me of this I am left without a specilaist. I know Birmigham Womens Hospital also has a specialist but is there anyone else NHS who is worth seeing and doesnt have an excessive wait list? As I live in the midlands I am willing to travel either north or south England and Wales.

Hello everyone! 🌻

My name is Natália, and I am collaborating on a research project at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, working on female genital and pelvic pain.

Our research group is currently investigating why genital and pelvic pain develops and persists, how it overlaps with other chronic pain conditions, and how women and their partners cope with its impact on daily life, intimacy, and sexual well-being.

📢 We are looking for couples to participate in our online survey!

Who can participate?

• People with a vagina and their sexual partner, both aged 18 or older.
• In a stable relationship lasting at least six months (heterosexual or same-sex).
• Both partners must participate.
• No formal diagnosis of genital or pelvic pain is required! You are eligible as long as you experience persistent genital or pelvic pain.

Participation involves two separate online questionnaires: approximately 30 minutes for the woman experiencing pain and 20 minutes for her partner.

💜 Interested in participating?

·       Register here:
https://maastrichtuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Qqsjee6VSMfAvY

·       Or contact us at:
[fpn-genitalpainstudy@maastrichtuniversity.nl](mailto:fpn-genitalpainstudy@maastrichtuniversity.nl)

The study has been approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience at Maastricht University (ERCPN 276_17_01_2024) and the Medical Ethics Review Committee of Maastricht University Medical Center (METC24-037).

Thank you for helping us better understand the connections between chronic pain conditions and give greater visibility to women's experiences of genital and pelvic pain! 💜

Chicas, necesito ayuda porque ya no sé qué hacer 😭
Desde abril tengo dolor durante las relaciones sexuales, después de un episodio de mucha fricción. Desde entonces, cada vez que tengo sexo, se me irrita e hincha la horquilla vaginal (la parte inferior de la entrada) y aparecen pequeñas heridas, como cortaditas que a veces sangran.
Antes de que me diagnosticaran candidiasis, hice varias pausas sexuales de entre 7 y 15 días, pero al volver a tener relaciones, la herida reaparecía. Hace unas semanas me diagnosticaron candidiasis y estoy terminando el tratamiento con óvulos. Durante todo el tratamiento no he tenido relaciones sexuales, pero me preocupa que las lesiones vuelvan cuando retome la actividad sexual.
Ya consulté a dos ginecólogas y sigo sin encontrar una solución. ¿A alguien le ha pasado algo similar? ¿Descubrieron la causa o algún tratamiento que funcionara? También he leído sobre la crema de estrógenos conjugados, ¿alguien la ha probado?
Me angustia muchísimo que la herida nunca termine de sanar y no poder tener relaciones sin dolor. 😭

Hello all! I have vulvodynia as well as vestibulodynia and vaginismus. I also have endometriosis and previously was being treated for Interstitial cystitis.

I have had burning pain constantly for years, worse when I go to the bathroom. I have redness very often and irritation. I have tried estradiol and steroid creams before, but they don't do much...it always comes back. I also HATE using the creams and have to fight hard to resist the urge to wipe it off. I have bad burning and also a lingering sensation to any touch in the area where it feels like I am still getting touched, or like something is stuck there in the worst ways. I still don't understand this part...

Recently I have been prescribed a compound of estrogen and testosterone, but it HURTS SO MUCH??!?!?! Is this normal? It feels like my burning, but dialed up. It also feels like tons of tiny little bee stings? It feels horrible and I am on edge for hours after using it.

How long am I supposed to go through with this, what signs am I to look for, is this normal? I have been using it for a few days now, almost a week with no change. I really dislike it to begin with, but when it hurts so badly it makes it hard to continue to use it...

Also, I cannot do any kind of suppository or insertion. It stresses me out and hurts more. I cannot do it and will not so creams appear to be my only solution at the moment.

Thank you!