Papercuts on my labia?
July 17, 2013 7:11 AM Subscribe
What's going on with my lady bits?
Last month, just at the last day of my period, there I noticed a couple of little cuts near where my clitoral hood turns into labia. They lasted a couple of days, then I had a raw burning sensation around the entrance of my vagina. No discharge, no smells, nothing else. I went to a clinic, doctor shrugged said the skin looked thin but didn't know what it was, gave me a corticosteroid cream and a referral to a specialist (which will be in November). The issues went away after a couple days of using the cream. Not sure how much was the cream and how much was just natural.
This month, same deal, day after my period there's a little paper cut type thing. The doctor who treated me last month is only there Thursdays and I'm not sure I'll be able to make it this week.
Does anyone know what this might be? It's incredibly unlikely to be an STI, but not completely impossible. Is there anything I could be using to help the little cuts heal faster?
(to double the frustration, my boyfriend is going away at the end of the week for 2 weeks, so something to help this not cramp my style would be nice)
Throwaway: papercutssuckworse@gmail.com
Last month, just at the last day of my period, there I noticed a couple of little cuts near where my clitoral hood turns into labia. They lasted a couple of days, then I had a raw burning sensation around the entrance of my vagina. No discharge, no smells, nothing else. I went to a clinic, doctor shrugged said the skin looked thin but didn't know what it was, gave me a corticosteroid cream and a referral to a specialist (which will be in November). The issues went away after a couple days of using the cream. Not sure how much was the cream and how much was just natural.
This month, same deal, day after my period there's a little paper cut type thing. The doctor who treated me last month is only there Thursdays and I'm not sure I'll be able to make it this week.
Does anyone know what this might be? It's incredibly unlikely to be an STI, but not completely impossible. Is there anything I could be using to help the little cuts heal faster?
(to double the frustration, my boyfriend is going away at the end of the week for 2 weeks, so something to help this not cramp my style would be nice)
Throwaway: papercutssuckworse@gmail.com
I also suggest searching for "fissures." Possibly yeast related.
posted by jrichards at 7:20 AM on July 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by jrichards at 7:20 AM on July 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
I can get this sometimes if I'm not careful - for me, putting anything that could possibly be an irritant near there can cause those little cuts that make everything painful for a couple of days. Removing the irritant will cause the problem to go away over a couple of days.
Maybe take a look at the products you're using, the soaps, your shower/bath routine. Try to eliminate anything that might conceivably cause the irritation.
posted by LN at 7:21 AM on July 17, 2013
Maybe take a look at the products you're using, the soaps, your shower/bath routine. Try to eliminate anything that might conceivably cause the irritation.
posted by LN at 7:21 AM on July 17, 2013
Do you use pads? I do, and this happens to me. I end up having to take my chances with just tampons (including sleeping commando on a towel) at the beginning and end of my period and just use pads during the deluge.
In my case, it itches like insanity as it heals, too.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:25 AM on July 17, 2013
In my case, it itches like insanity as it heals, too.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:25 AM on July 17, 2013
Lube! It's not just for sex! (It's probably dry skin that's chaffed and tearing a little. Especially if you use tampons.)
posted by iamkimiam at 7:31 AM on July 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by iamkimiam at 7:31 AM on July 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
The thinning skin observed by the doctor flags it as potentially more than irritation. Getting to a specialist is key here as the "tears" link showbiz_liz posted is pretty right on in that it could be a number of things. IANAD but I had these exact symptoms five years ago and it took 18 months for me to be diagnosed because I didn't know what to do. A gynecological dermatologist saved me from agony. (I have also contacted anonymous privately with more details.)
posted by wellred at 7:51 AM on July 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by wellred at 7:51 AM on July 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
Do you take a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)? (Antidepressant, also prescribed for Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Fibromyalgia; Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain; Chronic Low Back Pain; Diabetic Nerve Pain).
SNRIs can cause *incredibly* dry, irritable, sensitive vulva and labia that is prone to tiny cracks and tears...
(anything that says 'causes dry mouth' also causes dry vulva and labia...)
posted by Year of meteors at 7:53 AM on July 17, 2013
SNRIs can cause *incredibly* dry, irritable, sensitive vulva and labia that is prone to tiny cracks and tears...
(anything that says 'causes dry mouth' also causes dry vulva and labia...)
posted by Year of meteors at 7:53 AM on July 17, 2013
Try replacing toilet paper with something like Huggies Fragrance Free Baby Wipes.
Less likely to cause scratches and tears and irritation...
posted by Year of meteors at 7:54 AM on July 17, 2013
Less likely to cause scratches and tears and irritation...
posted by Year of meteors at 7:54 AM on July 17, 2013
As another thing to think about: I'm allergic to perfume. A lot of sanitary products include perfume. I don't know why, I can only assume they hate women or something. What you're describing happened to me when the product I was using changed their formulation to include perfume one time, then again when I moved countries and took a few tries to find something non-perfumed and not irritating (the packaging isn't always clear for some reason). I mainly use pads, but tampons can also do the same thing (to me anyway) since the problem is caused by inflammation due to the allergic reaction more than than direct tearing from the product itself. I mention this because of the timing of your issue, if you're having an allergic reaction to sanitary protection the last part of your period is when you'd notice it.
Toilet paper is also an issue for me (and can cause similar results), so I use fancy hypoallergenic stuff for that too. No perfumes or dyes, supersoft thick construction. Regardless of what's causing your problem, good quality toilet paper is likely to help it heal faster.
Anyway, I agree that the thinning skin is a concern and a gynecological dermatologist would be a good move if you can't figure it out quickly.
posted by shelleycat at 8:07 AM on July 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
Toilet paper is also an issue for me (and can cause similar results), so I use fancy hypoallergenic stuff for that too. No perfumes or dyes, supersoft thick construction. Regardless of what's causing your problem, good quality toilet paper is likely to help it heal faster.
Anyway, I agree that the thinning skin is a concern and a gynecological dermatologist would be a good move if you can't figure it out quickly.
posted by shelleycat at 8:07 AM on July 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
Use all cotton pads, no fragrances, no dyes. Natracare is a great brand, for me. It makes an enormous difference. Always works well, for example, but I've had gynecologists tell me they would love to make that shit illegal, between the fragrances, the adhesives, and the plastics they are a recipe for disaster for any woman with sensitive skin.
Let me tell you the lifesaver secret for vulvar irritation issues:
Epsom salt soaks. I suffered miserably for years, with steroid treaments and creams, and moisturizing preparations, and a lot of discomfort until my new (beloved! life saver!) specialist told me to sit in the tub, filled about three inches with warm water, with 1/4 cup of Epsom salts. 15 minutes at a time, it'll do wonders for your skin. WONDERS.
It'll moisturize, it'll speed healing (I had two vulvar biopsies to figure out what my problem was, Epsom salts saved my sanity), and it'll soothe irritated skin. Rinse off with warm water once you're done.
And never, ever, ever use body wash or soap on your vulva again. That stuff is murder.
posted by lydhre at 8:46 AM on July 17, 2013 [3 favorites]
Let me tell you the lifesaver secret for vulvar irritation issues:
Epsom salt soaks. I suffered miserably for years, with steroid treaments and creams, and moisturizing preparations, and a lot of discomfort until my new (beloved! life saver!) specialist told me to sit in the tub, filled about three inches with warm water, with 1/4 cup of Epsom salts. 15 minutes at a time, it'll do wonders for your skin. WONDERS.
It'll moisturize, it'll speed healing (I had two vulvar biopsies to figure out what my problem was, Epsom salts saved my sanity), and it'll soothe irritated skin. Rinse off with warm water once you're done.
And never, ever, ever use body wash or soap on your vulva again. That stuff is murder.
posted by lydhre at 8:46 AM on July 17, 2013 [3 favorites]
Always worth getting it looked at, if you're worried, but I'm pretty sure my pads cause this for me. In my case it only ever happens on the last couple days of my period, and then only when the period itself lasts 4 days or more (i seem to alternate super-short periods with regular ol' 5 day periods on my current BC). When I was on vacay and using tampons the whole week, no issues.
I brought it up to my GYN and she agreed, absent any other symptoms, probably just irritation related to the pads (and also, she pointed out that many women wash more frequently during their periods, which can add to the dryness/irritation).
posted by like_a_friend at 8:52 AM on July 17, 2013
I brought it up to my GYN and she agreed, absent any other symptoms, probably just irritation related to the pads (and also, she pointed out that many women wash more frequently during their periods, which can add to the dryness/irritation).
posted by like_a_friend at 8:52 AM on July 17, 2013
I recently switched to organic cotton pads (Glad Rags cloth pads and then Natracare for when I'm traveling) and holy cow, the difference is unbelievable. With the cloth pads especially, I just feel so comfortable. The start of my period has--for decades!--meant the start of a vague feeling of burning and itching that seemed part and parcel of menstruation itself, since I never had a period in my life where I wasn't using conventional tampons and pads. And now all that is GONE. I could kick myself for not trying these sooner. I thought it would be gross and too much trouble, but I'm telling you, once you see how much better you feel, nothing would be too much trouble. Your specialist may tell you that you have some other issue like lichen sclerosis, low estrogen, etc., but, regardless of the underlying problem, switching to organic cotton pads can only help.
posted by HotToddy at 9:12 AM on July 17, 2013
posted by HotToddy at 9:12 AM on July 17, 2013
If you use pads and hate tampons, (or even if you use tampons!) consider switching to reusable cloth pads. It's way less gross than it sounds, and way nicer and gentler to your ladybits, with the bonus of being less conducive to yeast infections! You can buy or make some or just put a folded up rectangle of flannel in your panties. You can even sew them into your underpants, which isn't very pretty and feels kind of diaperish, but ALSO doesn't slip, slide, crush, crumple, scratch, itch, or (usually) leak.
There's also the menstrual cup option for women who prefer to insert their protection. I used a Diva cup for years and found it much more comfortable than tampons once I learned to insert it properly. The cup is sillicone and very soft and hypoallergenic.
Try putting some plain petroleum jelly on the affected area before and during your period and/or whenever it hurts. I has a similar problem on a much larger, more disgusting and excruciating scale, from an allergic reaction to vagisil. The petroleum jelly keeps the area moisturised and acts as a barrier, and is typically allergy-safe.
It's very possible that you have developed a sensitivity to something- remember that we're more sensitive during our periods- so of course you should eliminate everything you can. I also wonder, though, (depending on where on your labia the irritation is) if your urine might be especially irritating for some reason. I wonder if increasing your water intake would help.
posted by windykites at 9:37 AM on July 17, 2013
There's also the menstrual cup option for women who prefer to insert their protection. I used a Diva cup for years and found it much more comfortable than tampons once I learned to insert it properly. The cup is sillicone and very soft and hypoallergenic.
Try putting some plain petroleum jelly on the affected area before and during your period and/or whenever it hurts. I has a similar problem on a much larger, more disgusting and excruciating scale, from an allergic reaction to vagisil. The petroleum jelly keeps the area moisturised and acts as a barrier, and is typically allergy-safe.
It's very possible that you have developed a sensitivity to something- remember that we're more sensitive during our periods- so of course you should eliminate everything you can. I also wonder, though, (depending on where on your labia the irritation is) if your urine might be especially irritating for some reason. I wonder if increasing your water intake would help.
posted by windykites at 9:37 AM on July 17, 2013
Also, protip, if it hurts when you pee, pouring a cup of lukewarm water over the area while you're peeing will make it less owie.
posted by windykites at 9:45 AM on July 17, 2013
posted by windykites at 9:45 AM on July 17, 2013
Some liners have paper like edges, while others have more of a rolled edge. That may be one possibility, but if you're concerned, a visit to the doctor would be worth it.
posted by SillyShepherd at 9:55 AM on July 17, 2013
posted by SillyShepherd at 9:55 AM on July 17, 2013
Anonymous asked me to post the following:
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Thanks for suggestions this far!
More details :
Not on any drugs / medication. Do have eczema though so dry skin issues aren't impossible.
I don't use any soaps etc in that area and am careful about that.
I use a combo of cloth pads (washed in the same detergent as the rest of my laundry, so panties should cause equal irritation if it's detergent?) , and diva cup. I bought a new cup of after last month just in case it was deteriorating and/or had lingering contaminant and have only washed it with diva wash and rinsed very very well.
Doctor didn't think it was a yeast infection (that was my guess when I first went in).
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posted by wellred at 9:56 AM on July 17, 2013
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Thanks for suggestions this far!
More details :
Not on any drugs / medication. Do have eczema though so dry skin issues aren't impossible.
I don't use any soaps etc in that area and am careful about that.
I use a combo of cloth pads (washed in the same detergent as the rest of my laundry, so panties should cause equal irritation if it's detergent?) , and diva cup. I bought a new cup of after last month just in case it was deteriorating and/or had lingering contaminant and have only washed it with diva wash and rinsed very very well.
Doctor didn't think it was a yeast infection (that was my guess when I first went in).
-----
posted by wellred at 9:56 AM on July 17, 2013
Could it be the cloth pad that's chafing you? Does moisture stay at the surface level for a while, and could that be irritating you? (Not the most flattering analogy, but kind of like a baby with diaper rash.)
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:46 AM on July 17, 2013
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:46 AM on July 17, 2013
Symptoms like this can also occur with the autoimmune disease Sjogrens syndrome, which is mostly known for causing dry eyes and dry mouth. You might want to talk to your doctor about testing for that.
For me, the bestest thing for almost magical quick relief and healing is aloe -- the purest possible aloe gel with almost nothing added. Sadly, it doesn't do anything to prevent recurrence, though.
posted by Corvid at 1:39 PM on July 17, 2013
For me, the bestest thing for almost magical quick relief and healing is aloe -- the purest possible aloe gel with almost nothing added. Sadly, it doesn't do anything to prevent recurrence, though.
posted by Corvid at 1:39 PM on July 17, 2013
This happened to me once. I was freaked out! Didn't have any other symptoms of a yeast infection, so 1st doctor shooed me away. In a panic a few days later I went to another doctor who (mercifully) decided to do a swab and, sure enough, I had a yeast infection and had to take diflucan (OTC treatments did nothing).
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 4:10 PM on July 17, 2013
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 4:10 PM on July 17, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:19 AM on July 17, 2013 [1 favorite]