About four months ago I had sex for the first time. We used a condom and I did not bleed or really hurt too much. At the time I was under a lot of emotional stress in my life and the week prior I had been given antibiotics for a presumed UTI infection. I was not on the pill. Day after sex, I had an anxiety attack and despite using protection I took the morning after pill. Two weeks later I again took the morning after pill despite having been on Birth control Pill (Fem Tab) for a week. Stupid, I know but at the time I was emotionally very stressed. In this time my symptoms began. I struggled with the Fem Tab Birth control ( constant bleeding/spotting) and switched to Levlen ED after two months.

My symptoms are itching, burning and at times a garlicky odour. The symptoms are less obvious during and after sex. The symptoms seems at their worst the week before, during and after my period. Also seem worse when I sit down or at night time. No real change in discharge.

I have been tested TWICE for STDS/STIs, Yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis, all to which have come back negative. I am however positive for HSV-1 (Cold Sore herpes). This was a shock as while most of my immediate family suffer, I have never had what I consider a cold sore. My partner does get oral cold sores however.

I have tried all manner of over the counter yeast treatment. I greatly limited my sugar intake and followed a candida diet for the better part of a month. Yeast creams do nothing, pessaries make me bleed and oral tablets have done nothing. I continue to be careful with my diet.

I began taking Candaplex, ACV and probiotic. I drank milk kefir, natural yoghurt and tried to up my good fats (avo/ salmon). I also tried colloidal silver for a few weeks. My symptoms persisted. I tried using ACV and coconut oil interally and it seemed to get worse. I have stopped drinking coffee (sob) and I feel this did help with the burning some.

Weirdly my only relief is through sex. My partner and I do not use condoms as I am on the pill. We are now using coconut oil as lubricant.

I have been referred to a specialist however there is a long wait time. I feel like I am going crazy and am sick of constant discomfort. This has been going on for nearly four months!

My questions are, has anyone else suffered this unknown itch/burning. Anyone have any suggestions and could this be hormonal?

Ps I should mention six months prior to this beginning I began to follow high protein/ low carb diet and lost around 10 kg. I am currently 60kg.