What's wrong with my vag-jay-jay?

April 11, 2008 12:20 PM

Embarrassing girlie question...

I am having some very strange symptoms that are freaking me out slightly. Obviously I am going to call my doctor, but would also like to see if anyone here recognises or has experienced this.

First, I had some vaginal itching a few days ago and the whole area looked quite red and swollen. I noticed that towards the back of my vagina the skin was sort of distorted as if there was some internal swelling, and there was pain (most noticeable when sitting down) but only on one side.

I thought it might a yeast infection (which I've had before) so treated with a pill/cream combo and the itching has stopped. As far as I can tell, the area now *looks* normal, but I don't look down there often so I can't be totally sure.

However, I still feel incredibly swollen, as though something is pushing down from inside. It's not so bad when I'm sitting or lying down, but when I stand up or walk around I almost feel like something is going "fall out". Also, today I have developed a weird (painless) tugging/stretching sensation on the right side of my bellybutton, which I've never had before.

Googling is giving me all sorts of scary information about uterine prolapses, etc. but I am a 20-something virgin, so could that even be possible?? If not, what might be going on? I am not in pain, but this is really worrying me.

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (8 comments total)

i was going to suggest "boil" but the falling out sensation combined with the belly button area thing has me worried.

honestly, and i hate this, but go see an urgent care doctor as soon as possible.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:29 PM on April 11, 2008

Call your doctor's office now - it's friday afternoon and doctor's offices usually close around 4 - and ask to speak to a nurse. Nurses have had a lot of training in triaging things like this and will give you a good answer about what you should do. You don't want to wait all weekend.
posted by selfmedicating at 12:32 PM on April 11, 2008

This could be a Bartholin's Cyst, which is annoying, embarrassing and painful, but can be treated pretty promptly by a doctor or by yourself at home (see my link for details). I've never had one myself (knock wood!), but I remember reading a very vivid description in a blog post that I can't find now.

I very much doubt that you have prolapse, but your anxiety about your overt symptoms may make you hypersensitive to a lot of relatively normal sensations.

For now, make the appointment as soon as possible. You don't need any more worry. Try the gentle home treatments like sitz baths until you get to see the doctor. But do see a doctor, as I am not one.
posted by rosebuddy at 12:36 PM on April 11, 2008

As far as I can tell, the area now *looks* normal, but I don't look down there often so I can't be totally sure.

OK, mild chastizing tone ON: Why for heaven's sake don't you? No mirrors? No self-interest? Modesty?

Seriously: it's your body, and a pretty darned intimate part of your body, too. Start making a habit of knowing what it looks like normally. No one else will be able to make that estimate (at least, in the near future!).

If you're not covered by insurance, most major hospitals have a nurse/"Rx" call line, usually staffed 24 hours (or nearly so), wherein an RN or PA can give you general answers about topics like this over the phone (and even anonymously, if you're skiddish). Not as good as a doctor's visit, but useful for making decisions like appointment next week/urgent care clinic tomorrow/ Emergency Room Now!

Happy former recipient of correct & important free advice, and some over-protective-but-still-good advice, from such services.
posted by IAmBroom at 1:18 PM on April 11, 2008

Seconding a Bartholin's gland issue as the likely suspect. I had a recurringly-infected Bartholin's gland for about a year, and then my gynecologist did a marsupialization [WARNING: graphic diagrams] and that fixed it. No recurring issues for more than ten years now.

If it feels like you're sitting on something ranging from a pea to a golf ball and one side of your rear vaginal entrance is swollen on the inside, it's likely Bartholin's. See your doctor.
posted by catlet at 2:11 PM on April 11, 2008

Ditto on suspecting the Bartholin's gland, and if so you can perhaps distract yourself from worrying about yourself by reading up about the most famous person to share this affliction, Black Dahlia murder victim Elizabeth Short.
posted by Scram at 4:23 PM on April 11, 2008

I'd say Bartholin's gland cyst, too, except for the itching, although that may have been unrelated and a coincidence. Until you can get to a doctor, sit in a hot bath, as hot as you can stand, several times a day. The cyst may open and drain all by itself. My doctor recommended this before she would even consider surgery, and it worked.
posted by Joleta at 7:57 PM on April 11, 2008

Doctor, doctor, doctor. Sounds like maybe some kind of hernia or uterine prolapse. Also, second the Barthlolin's cyst. None of which has anything to do with being a virgin. Don't count on it just going away. Good luck. dear.
posted by wv kay in ga at 11:38 PM on April 11, 2008