Ladies, I really need your help. Vagina Anxiety. :[

**nccc** · 11-23-2010 03:05 PM

So, I'm having a bit of trouble taking care of myself properly as a growing young woman. I just don't know how! I'm 22 and learning more and more about my body every day and now I know more than ever about STD's and the way my vagina looks bit by bit.

I was diagnosed with hpv genital warts by a doctor just looking at me when I was around 16. Then, it wasn't such a big deal to me..I didn't really understand. Plus, they weren't coming back after the cyro-whatever it's called. Freezing.
But age, 19...I had my second partner and got one ...treated it, went away..and by 20, I had my 3rd partner who I'm still with. Going on 2 yrs. I had another wart pop up a year ago and then all of the sudden a couple months ago, up pops up a handful of tiny ones on my inner labia. What am I doing wrong? Isn't hpv supposed to suppress within 2 yrs? Now I'm checking myself in the mirror almost every day to make sure something else doesn't pop up. I have been tested 2x since I've been with my current partner and everything came back okay.

I worry about catching something else from public restrooms, porta-pottys, towels, even clothing from stores, etc.. However, I've been told this is not possible by a doctor. So I'm starting to get a grip on that.

Currently, I'm pretty sure I have a yeast infection. I tend to over-wash myself down there..probably 2-3x every day and sometimes I'll even use harsh hand soaps...BUT I had no idea it could irritate me as much as it did this time. This past weekend, I used it on myself along with shampoo :/ numerous times and especially use it after having sex with my boyfriend. Monday, I woke up in the morning with a very very angry vagina. My inner labia was very red, swollen looking, and had a sort of painful itchy sensation all over the inner labia. But not an itch you can scratch. Like, a uti but in the vagina..exactly how it felt. No sores, cuts, bumps, or anything of that sort. & I'm an avid mirror looker. :/

So, does that sound like a yeast infection?
I took half a diflucan and it's almost all settled down...just a little bit of redness left and random sensations..
Should I take another half of diflucan? (fluconozole)
How do I wash myself after sex properly?
Almost everytime after having sex with my partner, I feel sore down there..all in the inner labia area..and we do use lubrication. Could I be built wrong? It's turning me off from sex and starting to effect our relationship.
How do I take care of my vagina???
How do I take care of myself knowing I have hpv?
Also, my mother had symptoms of hsv2 when she was younger...I'm worried about sitting in the bath tub especially since I have a small minor yr old hemroid that comes and goes..more risky?

I cant see my dr for another 2 months because of insurance issues.

**nccc** · 11-24-2010 03:38 PM

fine then, nevermind.

**LanaBear** · 11-24-2010 03:54 PM

nccc... It is a holiday week, so a lot of our regulars are in and out, therefore, not a lot of movement on the threads.

I do not have experience with HPV or genital warts or what have you, but maybe I can help with the general 'maintenance' and care of a vagina.

Washing after sex? Not really necessary. Wipe off and go about your business. If you absolutely feel you need to wash, a wet washcloth is more than enough.

Sore after sex? Is there enough foreplay, are you properly aroused? Do you have rough sex or is the penetration too fast and deep?

Taking care of your vagina? Well, sweet, there isn't much to it. Make sure you're clean and dry down there. Let your lady bits breathe some every once in a while. Don't wear tight clothes all the time.

Don't over wash, you will do more harm than good by doing that. Don't use hand soap either. If you feel you have to use soap, an unscented soap is just fine, like Dove Unscented or even a mild baby wash would be okay.

**sianie87** · 11-24-2010 03:54 PM

hi you should be using something hat does not affect your natural ph in the vagina and around it as your vagina has its own way of cleaning itself. you need to use soap that will not affect your ph. please do not use harsh soap as it will make you worse.

**ItsASecret** · 11-24-2010 04:06 PM

I took half a diflucan and it's almost all settled down...just a little bit of redness left and random sensations..
Should I take another half of diflucan? (fluconozole)

If you were prescribed this then you need to take the entire prescription until the bottle is finished, whether that ends up being only 1 days worth or eventually 7 days worth...whatever it is you must finish all prescriptions given. Not taking them properly according to the directions on the bottle from the pharmacy can cause more infection problems later on due to a change in the way bacteria live, therefore making them resistant to future drug therapy.

**lizzardb63** · 11-24-2010 04:08 PM

There is no cure that will get rid of the HPV virus completely. But treatments can reduce the number of warts — or help them go away faster. When the warts disappear, the HPV virus is still there, though it may not spread as easily.