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General health

Visit to doctor - embarrassing feminine issue

40 replies

ShyGirlie · 03/06/2013 19:32

Hi everyone,

Hope someone can help me out as I'm at the end of my tether here. Sorry for possibly too much info...

I have had an extremely sore undercarriage for about the last six months now. It extends from my vaginal opening to between my hips. It's a constantly itchy, burning pain and its really making me miserable - agonising to sit, stand or walk!
I have tried everything possible - canesten cream, sudocreme, savlon cream, germoline cream, natural yogurt, allowing it to be bare when possible. I only wash with water and wear cotton "big" pants.

I've had a look at it in mirror - the skin looks so red and almost raw.

I can't put up with it any longer so have booked visit to doctor for a couple of weeks time. REALLY dreading the thought of having someone look there. :-(

Was wondering what the etiquette for such visits are. Obviously I will ensure area is clean and hygienic beforehand, but do I need to shave / tidy up the area? I don't normally as I'm not very hairy! Paranoid now though, as it seems the whole world is smooth and bare!

Is it better to go to a male or female doctor?

Also, if my period comes (unreliable), should I cancel until it is over?

I am just soooooooo embarrassed (and sore), please help me before I chicken out altogether :-(

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headlesslambrini · 03/06/2013 19:37

TBH if it's that painful, then I would ask for an emergency appointment for tomorrow. Don't worry about what it 'looks' like down there, the doctor will have seen worse. If you prefer a female doctor then request one, I usually do for anything down there. I would cancel if you are on, as this might interfere with any swabs that they might want to take. The longer you leave it, the worse it might get. If it's an infection then the sooner you get antibiotics the sooner it will clear up.

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1Teaandsomecake · 03/06/2013 19:38

My advice FWIT would be to go to a walk in centre now and not wait to see GP in a couple of weeks. If you are that sore then you want some kind of medical attention now. Also this means that you don't have time to worry about it and maybe chicken out.

Also, remember that they have seen it all before and aren't really interested in you tidying up before hand.

Hope this helps

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Yika · 03/06/2013 19:45

You shouldn't have to cancel if you get your period. I go to gynaecologist once a year, I try to make sure it's all somewhat tidy but dont change any of my personal habits ie shave everything off.

My doc is male and very nice. It really makes no difference, it's only about how comfortable you feel.

Please don't feel embarrassed, it's their job!

I hope you feel better soon as it sounds very painful! I'm sure they will be able to clear it up quickly and you'll wonder why you didn't go sooner. :)

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Dollybird86 · 03/06/2013 19:53

Hi,
It sound similar to something I had a year ago it was a form of external thrush I was given antibiotics & told to stop wearing tights/jeans & underwear when possible for a while.I would go asap as the warmer weather will only make it worse hope it gets better soon.

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ShyGirlie · 03/06/2013 20:03

Thank u so much for being so nice, was nervous about posting! I really hope it's straightforward and can be cleared up quickly. Scared of being fobbed off by doctor.

I'd love to go to walk in emergency appointment, but my gp is about one hour from where i work so have to make a proper appointment unfortunately. Cannot take time off to go - holidays are allocated and non negotiable. So shall have to wait til the appointment unfortunately. Any coping strategies for while i wait?!

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headlesslambrini · 03/06/2013 20:31

google - walk in centres in the area in which you work. Ours are separate to the GP surgery. They are usually open longer, so you should be able to go straight before or after work, no appointment necessary.

I also think that you are legally entitled to time off for medical appointments.

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SerBrienne · 03/06/2013 20:38

Lichen sclerosis, I would bet. Good luck.

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Fozziebearmum2b · 03/06/2013 22:03

I've had something v similar. I asked for a female dr as much more comfortable than with a male-but just my preference. As others have said I wouldn't bother doing anything other than being clean. Mine turned out to be minor skin irritant-similar to excema caused by exceptionally long period. Sorry for tmi, but moisture had irritated the skin and it wouldn't go, got some hydro cortisone cream and went within a few days.

Don't worry they've seen it all before

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Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 03/06/2013 22:11

Please don't worry they have seen it all before. It's a body part and there's a problem that needs treating that's all they will see it as. If there is anywhere or any way you can go sooner please do as it sounds horrendous. Is it possible it's an STI? I do not mean anything by asking I promise just they can lie dormant for months and if you haven't made connection as it was so long ago, and the fact they can affect fertility if left untreated, means it would be best to go ASAP. Please don't be offended xx

I'm sure you don't need telling but keep a set of towels just for you. Is there any time it's worse? Like when u use certain towels or tampons? Or detergent?

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ShyGirlie · 10/06/2013 20:35

Update - ?ent to doc today. Was nearly having palpitations with nerves but it went better (easier) than expected. She took some swabs and gave me a steroid cream which seems to be soothing it already. Not sure what the swabs are for. She didn't diagnose anything. Shall wait patiently for results. Thank u so much for your kindness and support everyone ThanksBrew

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Yika · 10/06/2013 21:00

Glad to hear it and that it's getting better!

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greeneyed · 11/06/2013 12:49

Shy girlie, I had a strep infection there it sounds similar and was horrendous - was picked up on swabs and antibiotics cleared it with a few days, can' believe you have put up with this so long!

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digerd · 11/06/2013 13:08

You wouldn't get a diagnosis at time of swabs taken . They will be microscoped etc and results given to you later.
Good that she gave you the steroid cream which helped.
Hoping it is something that will clear up rapidly - sounds awful for you .

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greeneyed · 11/06/2013 13:12

Yes I had to wait a few days for swab results -

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scaevola · 11/06/2013 13:13

One thing - do you use Always sanpro?

They added scented "actipearls" and there are many reports of mild to serious irritation in exactly the area you describe.

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ShyGirlie · 11/06/2013 19:15

Yes I do use Always! Just bought two double packs this afternoon so I'm stocked up for quite a while!! What should I try instead? I have always used Always (confusing!!)

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FriedSprout · 11/06/2013 19:20

Think they do still do one that is un-scented. I got dd some without scent the other month.

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scaevola · 11/06/2013 19:27

Bodyform are similar price and unscented. So are many supermarket own brands (often cheaper), and worth a look in a Poundland if you have one nearby, for Kotex.

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inneedofrain · 11/06/2013 19:30

I had a similar problem (in a hot country) doctor recommended I used maternity pads and I treated them the same way, in freezer with witch hazel they gave me some reliefe and helped everything to calm down down there!

I would certainly suggest trying maternity pads for flow etc. I know they can be bulky and less discret might be tricky depending on your job, but they shouldn´t irritate the area!

Hope you get feel better soon

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Wearegoingtobedlehem · 11/06/2013 19:37

I have just changed ( well 3 months ago) to get away from their nasty irritating scent.

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scaevola · 11/06/2013 19:51

ShyGirlie: you might like to read this thread about Always. The manufacturers are claiming it's not an irritant, but it doesn't seem that clear cut to many users.

Might be worth mentioning as a possibility to your GP? And if they sopprt it as the likely cause, raising with the manufacturer?

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Sparklingbrook · 11/06/2013 19:54

Shea Butter Andrex did this to me. there was a roll in the apartment on holiday. I thought it was posh. OMG the irritation.

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Flibbertyjibbet · 11/06/2013 19:54

Have you considered washable cotton sanpro? Not to everyone's taste but I find myself much cleaner feeling and less sweaty down ther than with always.
Always are plastic, and soooo superabsorbent that my bits seem to stick to the, I'm sure it's because they are trying to absorb tpeven the natural moisture in my skin! Also the inner is la sort of chemical crystal stuff like you find in pampers nappies. Really not good to have plastic wrapped chamicals near a sore and irritated fanjo.

If you don't fancy washables during the day, I second the suggestion of body form, or the really cheap towels from bargain shops - they are bulkier because they don't contain the expensive superabsorbent stuff - and maternity pads for at night.


I am sure some one will belong to recommend a moon cup in a minute....

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Stressedtothehilt · 12/06/2013 20:56

Oh god poor you. I've always used Always never had a problem until few months ago! Now they're irritating me like mad!! I got a free trial sample of some disaposable moon cup things and they were fab have tempted me to buy a real one, I never ever would've even tried one if it hadn't been free!

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ShyGirlie · 14/06/2013 20:59

Swabs all came back satisfactory... What now?!? Must say steroid canesten has really helped, no trouble at all for now. But it says ur only allowed to use it for 7 days, so when I stop will the irritation come back??

Rally morphing into too much info now, but I never have any discharge at all, except for my period. Mentioned this to doctor, she seemed interested but didn't follow through on it. She said being overly dry maybe is causing the irritation through friction etc. I'm only in my 20s, is no discharge normal, or what can be done about it?

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