[Question #1667] Vulvar burning

98 months ago

I'm not sure if you can help me, but I'm running out of options so I thought I would give this a try and see if you have any ideas as to what could be wrong. In September I had the worst yeast infection of my life, my vagina was on FIRE. Since then I had external vaginal burning and went back to the OBGYN 3 times and had "a little yeast" so eventually I was given 3 months of diflucan and terazoI suppository. I do not have any discharge issues so I returned and explained I have external vaginal burning that comes and goes (some days I have no pain at all), and sometimes it is irrited around the anus as well. I was given estrogen cream, but it's been 3 weeks and nothing has changed. I've washed all pants/underwear with hypoallergenic detergent and have tried dove sensitive soap and baby shampoo to wash, with no luck. I do have cervical HPV (it's high risk--but not tho 16 or 18) but was told simply to return in a year for another pap. Dr said it wouldn't cause these issues. I have been tested for I believe every other STD imaginable. I understand if you're unable to help also I didn't know what category to choose. Do you have ANY possible ideas of what this could be? I can't afford to keep going to multiple OBGYN appointments and I'm worried this is something serious. Thanks for your help!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

98 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. I'm not sure that I can help you with this. Several comments:

1. I agree with your doctor that your HPV is unrelated to the discomfort that you are experiencing. HPV does not cause pain or discomfort. Further your symptoms are not suggestive of any STI.

2. The fact that your discomfort comes and goes may provide some clues. If you have not already done so, I would suggest that you keep a diary of when the discomfort occurs, what you are doing, and how long it lasts.

3. There are some (rare) fungal infections that fluconazole does not work for. Is your infection cleared? A biopsy may be helpful for diagnosis.

4. It may be helpful to get a second opinion on this. It sounds like your GYN has gone about as far as she/he can go. I would however also point out that it is most unlikely that this is anything serious. For better or worse, serious problems are most often readily diagnosed.

Sorry I don't have more to say about this. Perhaps some of these suggestions will be helpful. EWH

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