the symtoms describe above seem to fit me, ive been treated for thrush for probably the last ten years or more always being put off when asked if it`s something else, until this year then i was refered to the dermatolgy department at my local hospital to which she told me to go to France and buy a certain type of sanitary towel !! I explained that the itch was actually in side at the top of my vagina and on my clitorus to which she has now refered me to gyno` . I have totally lost my sex drive and the itch has gone from intermitant to constant and is driving me insane !

what is the cure for vulvodnia and how long does it take please

I have been going backwards and forwards to my GP for about 2years now, each time I explain the symptoms and they just send me for vaginal swabs, which I know before I get the results will all come back fine. And they do. This is the first time I feel close to actually finding out what is wrong with me! It is ruining my relationship of 3years as we hardly ever have sex any more and at 19 & 20 that's not a good thing! I have totaly lost my sex drive because I get so scared that it is going to hurt, and whenever we do have sex the burning pain can become unbareable afterwards which makes my boyfriend feel guilty. It feels as though I have torn and I often get what I think is thrush after sex which sometimes lasts weeks even with treatment. I get small painful blister like spots and a creamy yellowish discharge. Also as any shower gel, shaving cream etc seems to irritate me I can't shave and I feel so embarrassed infront of my boyfriend. It is really getting me down and I'm worried my boyfriend will leave me as he is beginning to get impatient.

I thought i keep on getting thrush constantly for a few years now and getting worse with all the symptoms mentioned: itching, burning, stinging, irritation. I've noticed the skin around the clitoris and the whole vulval area have stretched and sagged because of the constant pulling when itching it. Can it go back or do I need surgery for this? I've been to see my gp many times and tests coming back all negative. He's put it down to skin dryness like eczema and told me to use soap free stuff and prescribed me daktacort cream then a stronger one Trimovate cream but it didn't get rid of the problem. I got depressed and has worried me for a long time as no one seems to know what is wrong with me, until I saw the programme. I would like to know more detials about the cream and soap that are mentioned in the TV programme and any other sources of help please. Many thanks.

I have had this condition for about 30 years and it has gradually been getting more and more severe. Like so many of the other correspondents, I used to think it was thrush and have had many courses of thrush treatment, but to no avail. It is a relief to find so many other women have a similar condition, but a terrible shame that we have all been suffering without getting significant help. I would like to know more detials about the cream and soap that are mentioned in the TV programme and any other sources of help please. Many thanks.

Hi, I seem to have problems very similar to the described as your Vulvodynia condition. I am on the Pill, but for a few days, me and my boyfriend were taking extra precautions by means of condoms, but since using the Condoms, I appear to have developed symptoms simpler to the Vulvodynia condition. My vagina is quite red, itchy and sore inside, and appears to be discharging a little. I was hoping maybe you could confirm if this could have been caused by the condoms or what I could do about it.

after i have sex, i swell up around the entrance of my vagina. its sore for a while, and goes down after around 4 hours. its very uncomfortable and becuase of this the skin just below the entrance of my vagina the skin has sagged alittle. im not sure if this is vulvodynia?

I was just diagnosed with vulvodynia last month by my GYN, I have had a long history of antibiotic use, yeast/bacterial infections, intersitial cystitis, and now this. My holistic practioner believes that the condition and my other conditions are rooted from systemic yeast. For many years I was sick with throat infections, ect. and prescribed antibiotic therapy. I developed constant sinus infections and so forth. I started a very strict diet of just animal protein, green vegetables, oil oil and butter and the symptoms basically disappeared, but re-appear around ovulation and my period. My practioner also has me on a anti-yeast protocol with vitmamins to treat the systemic yeast infection Dr. Ohhirahs probiotics, EPA-DHA fish oils (for inflammation), serrapeptase, and an intestinal product which contains marshmallow root and slippery elm, which are very helpful for vulvodynia, Uva Ursi is great for the intersitial cystitis. I also take Aveeno Oatmeal baths and only wash with baby liquid aveeno fragrence free soap, and cotton undies only! this regimen has helped me immensly! I look forward to having more foods added to my diet and more supplements. I have also started acupuncture weekly, which helps balance and heal your body naturally without anti-depressants and other meds. If you go to an acupuncturist tell them you would like to be treated for vulvodynia, heat in the body, and possibly systemic yeast/candida. i hope that is helpful to everyone else wondering why me? Will I be normal? And how can I live like this and have a normal relationship? I have yet to habe intercourse since being diagnosed, and am fearful, but my acupuncturist recommended olive oil as a lubricant and non-latex condoms, especially no spermicide! Good luck, keep everyone posted!

It is well worth persevering to get a reliable diagnosis – a vulval biopsy showed that my 'thrush' is actually Lichen Sclerosus. The symptoms sound similar to vulvodynia, with all the problems of itching – feels like barbed wire sometimes – painful sex etc. Like most conditions, the earlier you have a diagnosis, the more likely it is that treatment and lifestyle changes (ditch the tight jeans, tights, nylon underwear) will be effective in putting it into remission.

I read the comment made by Julie on the 30 oct 2008. Her comment was the closest to what I suffer from. I've beeen with my husband for 5 years now and we got married last year. It was a distance relationship and we only decided to have sex just before we got married. We were both virgins and didnt know what to expect. It took me quite a few times until we had penetration as it was so painful for me. After that sex was great but then I strted getting sores after sex such as cuts. I also suffered from cystisis after a few weeks which the doctor diagnosed as honeymoon period cystisis. I have had it 4 times since last year. For the past few months my sex has gone from mostly evryd to now once a month as penetration hurts so much and I get cuts after and it burns. Luckily my husband is really supportive so we don't have anything missing emotionally but physically we have. Please let me know more about this organism which causes the problem and how I can approach my GP because they are useless.