pain, burning & itching . . .

**leahbia_83008** · 08-18-2011 06:16 PM

so for the past four months or so, on & off, i have been getting an irritating burning, itching and some pain in my vulva . . . this only happens every once in a while and for a couple days at a time, then it goes away. my first thought was the depilatory i was using to remove unwanted pubic hair so i discontinued use but the problem still exists. secondly i tried just using warm water to wash instead of soap but this too did not solve my problem. it bothers me when i shave. it bothers me when i don't shave. i have been tested several times for std's & infections and the results came back negative. it's literally driving me insane and i know it affects me relationship because it makes me self concious & uncomfortable so i have a hard time getting intimate with my boyfriend . . . i am worried this is a serious problem, but i cannot explain why this is happening to me. i go to the doctor's on monday and i plan on discussing my concerns with him but i'm worried he will not have an answer for me. what the is going on down there?!

**stressed** · 08-21-2011 03:47 PM

Is the entrance to your urethra swollen? It could be a harmless pimple irritated by taking a bath and shaving.

Your doctor will probably prescribe a creme for you to use and ask you to not have sex for at least a week.

Also: Four months?? Always go to the doctor if ANYTHING feels abnormal for over 3 days Always! Also never have sex before everything feels normal again, as you may be making things worse, or prolonging them even if it's only something minor.

**leahbia_83008** · 08-21-2011 09:50 PM

the only thing i'm in fear of is the possibility of contracting the hpv virus . . . the last time i had a pap smear done was almost 3 years ago, about 2 months after me & my current boyfriend got together & although the results came back normal, i'm worried it may not have been detected at the time, as we've both been with other people prior to our relationship. i have had all of the gardasil shots and have never noticed any physical symptoms (warts, redness, swelling, etc.) but it seems to be more of a psycological pain, which i find hard to comprehend. it just seems odd to me that something like that would just spring up out of no where since i have never had symptoms like this up until four months ago. does this sound probable or am i just being a hypochondriac?

**stressed** · 08-22-2011 04:13 AM

Hmmm 3 years for a pap smear is also a long time (you have to have one every year, especially if you're sexually active).

It still doesn't sound like anything serious, discomfort can be caused by so many things and be harmless. I don't think it's psychological, but do let us know what the doctor says. It's always useful to everyone to get feedback.

**leahbia_83008** · 08-31-2011 05:21 PM

turns out it was a harmless yeast infection! my OBGYN gave me an antifungal & the pain, burning and itching magically disappeared. i also got my infection and pap smear results and everything is perfectly normal. i guess that's what i get for overanalyzing . . . i'm just happy to be back to myself & concentrate on my life rather than my discomfort.