vaginal itching, dryness,and swollen labia,iextreme itching on labia

I, too, have had this problem for the last week. I just started oral contraceptives a month ago and the past week when this itching and burning began, was when I would have had my period (on the last week of the pack...placebo pills). I tried Monistat, in case it was a yeast infection (although I could tell that it probably wasn't), hydrocortisone cream, and triple antibiotic ointment. Nothing helped. However, I read somewhere else to try olive oil. I know that sounds really strange, but it actually helped for a little while because sometimes the problem is from dryness if you are not producing enough natural vaginal discharge. The reason so many of us may not be producing the right type of discharge to keep us itch-free down there is due to birth control methods, such as the IUD or oral contraceptives. So if you would like, try the olive oil. I just put some on a napkin and rubbed it on several times until it was feeling a little better. Then I let it soak in for a few minutes before putting cotton underwear on.

Also, what is this baking soda deal? How do I do it?

One other thing I've tried, which kind of helped for the last day, was an OTC vaginal moisturizer, such as Replens (though I just got the CVS brand). You just insert the applicator and squeeze out the stuff...it burned at first for me, but then helped for over 24 hours! I just did it again, though you're technically supposed to wait two or three days, and it hasn't helped too much yet.

I'm about to try the Tri-Actin anti-fungal spray...I feel as though it's reeeally going to burn, but hopefully it will help.

I just want this problem to go away. I got to see my boyfriend last weekend, and it was the last time I'll get to be with him for the next month, and I was in too much pain down there to be able to make love. It's frustrating that doctors aren't able to help us!

I wen to the doctor yesterday because the left side of my vagina was itching and irritated. This seems to only happen before or after my period. Last month I thought it was a yeast infection, so I took Monistat and it helped a little, but the same thing happened again this month. I finally got the nerve to go to the doctor. The doctor examed me and said it looks like it is eczema on the cooch, of all places. I was relieved to know that's what she thinks, but she took a culture just to be sure it isn't HPV. Ladies be sure your doctor checks you for HPV as a irritated and itchy vagina is a symptom. I pray that I don't have HPV.

I AM TIERD OF THIS! I have been living with cronic itching for almost three years now. Docs say it's just something I have to live with...they must not know what it is like. I too have an IUD and had it taken out for about a week, obviously not long enough to find out if it is the reason why. I am getting to the point of complete distruction and would really love some advice. HELP! Does anyone have a doctor that has any common sense in them?

i feel so dirty and like i will never be attractive again for anyone. i am so frustrated and fed up. it drives me to tears and i cant sleep at night. the itching is unbearable. the nurse practitioner has no idea. she sent me home with some cream but it only makes it worse.

Be persistent! I know that it's probably frustrating but you do really need to talk to the doctor about it. I would go to someone else who specializes in it, not just a nurse practitioner. Have you seen a doctor about it too?

Ladies... I empathise with you all.
I used to experience extreme burning and stinging and painful sex. Burning and stinging especially around the entrance to the vagina (vulva area also). Sometimes there would be swelling and there was also itching - which preceded the stinging and burning.

The issue is/was multi-pronged (I had two things going on)

1. I had ongoing problems with candida, (not necessarily thrush) related to hormone imbalances (yes, this can affect pH levels in the vagina) as well as a weakened immune system. This was related to the itching and swelling part.

2. I took antibiotics and used anti-thrush cream (NB. I also didn't replace good flora in the gut - probiotics) and ended up with more itching stinging burning and inflammation.

3. This lead to something called "Vulvar Vestibulitis" (which is a sub-set of vulvodynia). Which is more related to the stinging and burning (i.e. once the candida was cleared, I still had these symptoms).

I thought I was going MAD. I had been to doctors in the past who had only prescribed a low dose anti-depressant. Sex was painful and uncomfortable as I was so sensitive down there. I felt very sad and despairing thinking that I may never be "normal" down there again after experiencing this for more than 2 years.

So, I know that not everyone is experiencing these symtpoms, but if you are, I hope that this information may help point you in the right direction.

I now experience NO PAIN at all! The only time I do get some issues is in the week before my period.
This may be known as cyclic thrush. Hormones can cause the pH of your vagina to change making it more alkaline.

I had to remove / reduce excessive acid-forming foods and especially sugar (for the candida) as well as getting rid of ANY perfumed cleaning products i.e. wash underwear in warm/hot water with a sensitive washing powder (ideally natural/eco product) to reduce any possible additional irritation.

Without going on too much, you may like to try adopting a low GI (low glycemic index) diet. I noticed that the more sugar, or acid-forming foods - including alcohol! - or refined foods I had, the worse it was. Lots of fresh veg, plenty of quality protein, high fibre and low sugars in the diet. Read up about it.

I also used anti-candida herbs (natural supplements too) as well as anti-fungal teas for the candida side of things.

Good luck ladies. There IS light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm glad others are having this problem as well, well not glad you're having the problem, but that I'm not alone... I frankly have no faith in dr's when it comes to dealing w/ issues "down there"... I have had problem periods for as long as I can remember and the Dr's answer was to put me on birth control (which I know works for a lot of women) but after five weeks of heavey bleeding and the Dr's only response of that's normal, i felt that I was better off on my own in this arena. So now I have this terrible itching, mostly around my clitoris and hood, but down in my vaginal area as well. This itching has me stumped... Vagasil is my best friend until it stops working and then I have to find something else... I even tried Germ X the other day I was so desperate... I do not have an IUD and not sexually active... so I really have no clue. I am going to try the baking soda soak and see if that works...but it really gets you down and frankly is embarrasing to have to go the bathroom every thirty minutes to wash or scratch! I am up for trying anything!

Try using regular yogart. It is cooling and it kills bacteria. I know this sounds strange but it will really help. Be sure you use the yogart at night then the next day take a clean soft wash cloth and wipe gently, do not use soap until you stop itching and burning. The yogart is natural and safe. We used to tell our patients to do this when they had a yeast infection. Try it!! I hope it will be a help to you. Oh yes, use it every night until you have no more symptoms.

I've been itching for a while now its so annoying but I'm too embarrassed to ask my gyno. This itch started when I was pregnant and my gyno told me I had a yeast infection I got medicine and it helped but now that I've had my baby and I'm on my period I've gotten super itchy and I can't stop scratching. I know it has nothing to do with detergent or the soap I use. But from what I'm reading I guess I'll try the baking soda bath, I just hope it doesn't burn.

Iv also noticed it gets really bad before and during my period! its so itchy and really burns... iv tried Depobase but it makes it itch even more! now im trying Betamethasone, but again I dont think its helping. I wonder can it be the shaving? its just gone from bad to worse! and its so embarrasing

I have the exact same problem, I cant understand what it is. I was convinced it was the IUD and got it removed but its bee 3 monthes and now I know it wasnt the IUD as im still going through it. The funny thing is its only on one side (right) its red, itchy and burns every time I pass water or take a shower or a bath. Iv also noticed it really plays up after i have had a shave. I have been to the hospital and thev carried out all tests, first they thought it may be genetal herpes I was so scared and worried as It just didnt make sense.... but they confirmed it came back negative but i re took the test just incase but im pitty sure its not.

i have been experiencing the same thing for a little over a week now. and it's driving me crazy. it itches mainly at night, and is sore. im not sure if its sore from the scratching or the sores. this is the first time i've ever experienced this and i've only ever been with 2 guys. and both of them are std free, so i dont think it's herpes. i have been using an antifungal cream thats for jock itch and athletes foot, and it burns when i put it on, but the itching has almost completely stopped. the soreness and sores are still there though, but seem to be getting a little better. i have never had an IUD, but i have been on oral contraceptives for a little over 3 years now. sex hurts and is painful due to the itching and tenderness. i feel very unattractive too, and awkward because most of the time i cannot scratch. i have found that putting the anitfungal cream on at night before bed and after i shower has helped. also not using any soap and just running warm water over it in the shower seems to have helped some. hopefully this has helped someone, and all the other posts have helped me.

So i have this problem too. I have severe itching, some burning, soreness, redness, and some bumps. I've had two sexual partners within a year. I don't think its an STD because both of them both got tested and they both came out clean. The pain and itching usually goes away after about a week or two, but then it comes back every month around the start of my period. I've used Vagisil to stop the itching. At first it burns, but after about 5 seconds, it starts to calm down and the itching disappears. At the top of my vagina, on my Labia, i have this cut. It's feels like when your lips are chapped and it tears and burns. That's what it looks like and feels like. My Labia has been really dry, so I apply neosporin or antibiotics on it, and it seemed to help in the past. I don't want to go to the doctor because I'm scared, but if this continues to happen, I will eventually have to. Does anyone have any suggestions, I don't want to continue living like this.

Okay, so first let me just say THANK GOD I am not alone! Second of all, I guess you guys don't know this, but a woman's menstrual cycle is to cleanse your vagina. That's why the symptoms go away. (And why I won't take any bc that causes you to stop having a period) I haven't seen anyone else that has had this problem longer than me. I am 21 and have had an itching problem since I was 12. I knew it was normal to have some sort of itch every now in then but in the past few months the itch has increased intensely and my labia gets so swollen I swear it's going to pop! And as much as I don't want to scratch because I know it's going to get worse, I found myself scratching in my sleep! Which caused my lips to split. :-( No fun! But it never occurred to me that it could be little things such as detergent or feminine products. I never use douches because they cause severe irritation inside, so I recently bought wipes and anti-itch wipes and that's when it seemed to get worse, but it was still bad before. I would have never considered the itch before the wipes to be "normal". I haven't asked my fiance if he switched detergents yet (he does the laundry, lol) but I will ask as soon as he walks in the door. But I think I was so ready to be angry with him for causing this itch then thinking it could be caused by other things that I am doing! :/ I am due to start my cycle within the next day or so, so after I am off, I am going to try to not use any wipes and brand new clothes to see if I have any changes.

I have been having the same problem for over 4 years now. It started after I had my last child. I wish I could say it was the IUD but it is not. I did not get my IUD until 2 years ago. I had it removed last november. I have the same itching and it gets MUCH WORSE when I am close to my period. I also shave and have noticed that when the hair is growing back the itching gets worse. I have noticed when I end up breaking the skin from itching that Neosporin + pain helps the healing. I wish I had more answers but I am getting the same responce as everyone else.

I have been having the same problem only recently. I am 55 years old and peri-menopausal. Here is what has helped me: using Replens every one to two days; using Astroglide lubricant on the labia and vaginal entrance as needed; having my husband lightly stimulate the labia and clitoris manually using plenty of lubricant; and a sugar free diet. None of this is easy and I still have some discomfort, but I think this is a fairly complex problem. For sure it is part hormonal - I tend to get very dry and often get migraines right before what would have been my period - so part of this is for sure due to changes in my estrogen levels. But, hormone treatments aren't necesarily safe, which is part of the problem of treating this medically . When I could see this was potentially going to hurt our sex life, my husband and I made sure to talk to our doctors and we collectively came up with a big list, the winners from which I mentioned at the start of this post. Good luck to all and hopefully get your partner to help you if you have one to keep the love alive.