Painful cracks around vagina

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Where can I go for help in New York City for post menopause dryness itchiness cracks burning. I feel like I was dismissed by my GYN

Thanks, I am happy to say that all tests came back negative. Since then I have tried many different ointments & creams but they only sooth the area until the cream wears off. It is not a cure,this is crazy. I still need a new gynecologist in NYC but a GYN whose interest is not mainly OB. I prefer a woman.

I read this forum and used many of the products suggested by different people. None worked. I was diagnosed by an NP to have yeast and nothing that she gave me worked either. Then I went to see a doctor and he told me it was some sort of vaginal cyst caused as a side effect of my antibiotics use.
He gave me some other antibiotics (METRONIDAZOLE) and an steroid cream (ESTRACE). And believe it or not the crack and pain was gone in less than a day. So I though I share it here.

I have had the same issue for a few years and I was misdiagnosed a few times. My gynecologist finally told me to see a dermatologist about it. I finally had a diagnosis of genital psoriasis. It presents with red, shiny looking skin and as stress occurs can resemble chronic yeast infections. Topical steroids make it worse and sitz baths help relieve the pain.  One of the times I was misdiagnosed, they gave me an antiviral (was misdiagnosed as herpes) and it made my entire vagina swell up, seep and bleed after one dose. It was the most horrible pain I have ever endured...and I have given birth. My gyno gave me a cocktail of medicine and the treatment worked but it took weeks. To pee, I had to have a glass of water and pour it on my vagina while voiding to prevent it from burning. To have a BM, I had to lean back like I was in a recliner, then rinse with the glass of water. My suggestion to anyone that has serious issues is just to ask their provider if genital psoriasis may be to blame. I finally got a diagnosis after on and off outbreaks after 3 years.

Lichen Sclerosis.......... there are many ways this manifests itself......some are very severe. Testosterone cream alternating with estrogen cream. No cure. But managable.

I have this same problem, the same exact problem I had a pap smear, biopsy and blood test a week before the problem acure  everything came out great, i didn't think nothing of it at 1st because I had just had a Dr. apt at my gyn, it's been 7 month I've had this problem, it happen right after i had shave, but I always shave, I assume it was from the razor, but it's wasn't, what is going on, i have no sex life now

WOW!  These were great to read, and really put mine into perspective.  I was getting nervous about them, but after reading these and calming myself down, I realized that I tend to get these cracks on the perineum every time I get a yeast infection.  They are very painful when going to the bathroom (1 and 2)!  As soon as the yeast infection clears up, so do they.  Sometimes the yeast infections are so mild the only symptoms are the paper cut-like cracks, itching, and some discharge.  I would give a round of yeast infection treatment a try first.  Damn, these things are embarrassing! :)  

I am in the same boat... super scary waiting for the results... I never thought for a second it would be an STD because my hubby and I have been together for 8 years and i KNOW he is not cheating and I havent slept with anyone other than him in about 10 years. apparently if it is herpes it can stay dormant for YEARS before a break out. who knew! such a surprise. Im a bit of a mess as I wait for results.

Okay i have been reading post all morning trying to come up with a cause or reason for mi problem... On reading the post i remembered i shave mi Connie.. Two nights before and i think i went to town with the razor because mi Connie hurts like hell.. I thought about mi kids and started using dipper rash cream. I'm okay now... Well to make a long story short i know mi status it really didn't even cross mi mind that i could have a std.. Thats a sensitive part of ur body..     

Hello Ladies, Nurse Nancy to the rescue! :) Okay, the first thing to do is not to panic. There is no need for that. Try not to think the worst. I know it's difficult not to get swept up in other people's misery, but try to be positive. There are many things that can cause the same symptoms described here. So you have to narrow it down. The first thing you need to understand is that our crotch area, vag and anus does perspire quite a lot and I cannot stress enough the importance of wearing all cotton under garments. Here are some tips:

First of all, when you buy new under garments, always, no exceptions wash them in laundry detergent and water. Some of you may be surprised to hear that some of them manufactured in foreign countries, particularly those made in China, the bras and panties, those with pretty dyed colors, allegedly have formaldehyde and pesticides in them and can cause nasty rashes and carcinogenic ulcers on the breasts. I've seen the photos that circulated in emails and I've read some of the online posts about this. But it's off topic. You can read more about that here: Also, ladies please go through your bathroom products and through out anything that has Parabens in them. If you don't know what that is, look it up and educated yourself to protect yourself. A friend of mine just had a double masectomy. http://www.healthpost.ca/forums/diseases-conditions/allergies/508-rash-bra.html

Do not sit for long periods of time in fleecy type pyjama bottoms at the computer or watching TV because they don't breathe, so there is not enough air flow to keep the area cool and well-ventilated which allows bacteria to grow and locks in the heat. Next, by a process of elimination, you could be allergic to latex condoms, or the spermicide. You could also be allergic and severely so to any massage creams if you have been using them inimately on your sexual partner on his genitals and then his penis enters your vagina. That can cause one of the worst types of reactions that you could ever not want to know about. It can be likened to someone putting a hot fire poker up inside of you! It's happened to me. Healing Gardens products were the culprits. It took weeks to get back to normal and not to mention the expense. The doctor did not know how to treat it either. I suffered dearly over that. Back in the 80s, it was trendy to wear skin tight jeans and pantyhose with no underwear on because we didn't want to show our panty-lines, so naturally, there was an epidemic of yeast infections happening. As for the cracks on the outside of the labia and on the inner folds, there are a few possibilities. If they are blister-like and tingly, as well as painful and itchy, they might be Herpes. There is only one way to know for certain and that is to get tested. So my advice is not to delay but to go to your doctor and be very frank with him or her about your sexual activity so that he can take the right kinds of tests and treat you with the right product and not make a misdiagnosis. The herpes test takes some time to come back and you don't want to end up suffering without anything until the results come back. And yes, the anus is not far from the vagina so this can be extremely uncomfortable when that area is involved in between, particularly because urinating is very painful as the urine is acidic and stings like mad!

You can take baths, not showers, I would recommend sits baths with epsom salts, not the perfumed kind. Or regular table salt or sea salt in the water and sit in that. Shoppers Drugmart has an oral wound cleaner product in a box with small packets that you can mix with luke warm water and gentle clean yourself a couple of times during the day and pat dry, do not rub. The reason I say the oral would treatment is because the vaginal is mucous membrane, the same environment basically as the mouth, and so is favorable to use the cleaner for the exterior labia lesions, cracks and tears. Bear in mind also that if you have not had sexual intercourse in a long time, due to abstinence, and you finally meet someone you decide you wish to share that intimacy with, you may end up becoming rather chafed from lack of activity and sudden prolonged sexual intercourse. Even if you have had regular sexual intercourse but it went on a little longer one particular evening, could make a difference also.

That could be another big valid reason for the swelling, tearing, cracking, bleeding, itching, and discharge also. After a short time, all of that can become an infection which can in turn become a yeast infection and so on. So you want to have the initial cracks and tears treated right away. There are pills that can be taken for Herpes. There are cream compounds that can be made up for cracks and tears, usually a hydrocortisone and antifungal cream, not usually an anti-bacterial, although I noticed one of the ladies above mentioned that is what she used. Make sure you always wash your hands thoroughly after you apply the ointments.

Vagisil is good. Zinc Oxide cream is good. Also, one that not many know about is Head and Shoulders shampoo, because it's got zinc in it. So you can use it as a body wash while you have the chafing. Also, if you have had a hysterectomy and are not taking hormone replacement tablets, you could be experiencing vaginal dryness, even if you have not had a hysterectomy, you still could be experiencing vaginal dryness and that can cause difficulty also. When the penis enters the vagina it can pull the labia into the vagina at the same time and therefore tear it at the same time by stretching it. Often with a condom, the lack of lubrication can cause the skin inside the vagina and the exterior labia to stick to the latex or plastic. So as long as you are aware of your body and pay attention to the early warning signs, and get yourself to a doctor right away, you will probably save yourself a lot of money and prolonged suffering. Instead of it clearing up in a couple of days, it might end up lingering for 3 to 4 weeks.

One more very important thing to remember during this time is to watch your diet. You will have to avoid alcohol, sugars, starchy foods, and fats - basically all of the stuff that feeds an infection and you will want to boost up your immune system with zinc, 25mg/day, Vitamin C, B1, A and E. It wouldn’t hurt to take probiotics at that time either to keep your immune system strong.

So I wish you all the best of luck and happy love-making.

NurseNancy

Herpes have very consistent patterns of sores in a circular pattern that scab over and cluster over the same area each breakout and take more than a week to two weeks to go away is a typical Herpes outbreak. Painful sores that heal after a couple days and surface somewhere else are signs of changing soaps, using hair removal creams, stress and dehydration. We are so delicate, the skin here dislikes thong underwear intensely. Bath with Dove Soap (suggested by a Nurse Practitioner) and wear long dresses and DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR for a day or two. Women from the beginning of time never wore underwear up until the last 60 years. When you urinate, pat yourself dry, don't rub. These problems compound upon one another. Drink lots of water, bath with the same soap and avoid tight clothing. Sometimes you can manifest these sores when you don't want to have sex with your partner, giving you an excuse to say "No". Just a thought.

Herpes have very consistent patterns of sores in a circular pattern that scab over and cluster over the same area each breakout and take more than a week to two weeks to go away is a typical Herpes outbreak. Painful sores that heal after a couple days and surface somewhere else are signs of changing soaps, using hair removal creams, stress and dehydration. We are so delicate, the skin here dislikes thong underwear intensely. Bath with Dove Soap (suggested by a Nurse Practitioner) and wear long dresses and DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR for a day or two. Women from the beginning of time never wore underwear up until the last 60 years. When you urinate, pat yourself dry, don't rub. These problems compound upon one another. Drink lots of water, bath with the same soap and avoid tight clothing. Sometimes you can manifest these sores when you don't want to have sex with your partner, giving you an excuse to say "No". Just a thought.

Herpes have very consistent patterns of sores in a circular pattern that scab over and cluster over the same area each breakout and take more than a week to three weeks to go away without mediation. Your first breakout is the most dramatic, you hardly are unaware you don't have Herpes after you (for instance) have a labia  that feels like a flat tire between your legs and hurts to sit down.  The kind of painful sores that heal after a couple days and surface somewhere else are signs of changing soaps, using hair removal creams, stress and dehydration or invading the delicate area with a substance that's disruptive to your delicate skin.  The skin here dislikes thong underwear intensely. A warm day with tight clothing sitting at your desk will be enough to set up a chain reaction that can be very bothersome. Changing your lifestyle can set you up for this problem, are you sitting more than you did before?  Bath only with Dove Soap (suggested by a Nurse Practitioner), wear long dresses and DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR for a day or two and listen to your body.  The sores and cracks should heal and go away with a day or two if they're not a STD.  When they begin to migrate around the area it means your doing something to make that area to loose its balance.  Women from the beginning of time never wore underwear up until the last 60 years.  Condoms and lubs should be on a trial bases until your body gives you the OK to use it again.  Listen to your body after you use them, it wont take long for your body to yell at you if your allergic to it.  When you urinate, pat yourself dry, don't rub.  These problems compound upon one another do all the easy remedies together.  This is a part of your body that if you don't use it you loose it.  If you're not having sex, your body is likely to get agitated from any sexual activity and bark at you for sexual activity.  Drink lots of water, bath with the same soap, avoid tight clothing, pat gently when you pee, use saliva for lubrication for sexual activity and relax in a bath daily with Epson Salts (no perfumed salts).  Sometimes you can manifest these sores when you don't want to have sex with your partner, giving you an excuse to say "No".  Just a thought.

you don't have to have sex to get herpes. you can get it from kissing or drinking out of someones cup that has it