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 Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:57 pm
FINAL UPDATE: RESOLVED! I went to Planned Parenthood on Tuesday morning, turns out I DO have a yeast infection. A bad one. Well, at least I did, the pill the doctor gave me may have knocked it out, but it was so bad she gave me two just in case. I do feel a lot better now. I would definitely go there again if I ever had a problem "down there."
UPDATE: It's been a month now and the itching is still bothering me on and off.
I have never had sex . . . but I do have a wart on one of my fingers. I don't use that one to masturbate but I'm starting to think maybe I did touch myself down there at some point and may have spread the HPV from my finger to my genitals. Is that possible? I'm going to be getting my period on Monday, but I really do think it's time to see a doctor. I'm thinking of making an appointment with Planned Parenthood, since I know it's a better bet than my campus health center. Though I'm starting to think no doctor would give me a pap test if I'm a virgin.
Original post:
I've been very itchy down there for weeks!
At first I thought it was just a minor irritation, but when it didn't go away, I decided it would need some sort of remedy. I went to CVS, where I only bought Vagisil itch cream and some test strips. I didn't buy a yeast infection treatment because the warning on the box said not to use it if you've never been diagnosed with a yeast infection before.
Now, I would have made an appointment with a doctor at the student health center (I'm in college), but it was a Friday, and I knew there was no chance of getting an appointment until Monday when my period was due, and I knew I couldn't get checked out while on my period.
I did try a test strip to make sure it wasn't a bacterial infection, and sure enough the pH balance was normal, which meant there was no bacterial infection, thank goodness. I'm on antibiotics anyway.
But towards the end of my period, I had to see a doctor anyway because I had the flu. So I told her I had been itchy (by then it had been a week and a half), so she did take a look but didn't see any yeast. She couldn't take a sample to look at under a microscope because I was still bleeding and it would cloud the results. And I told her it had an odor but she told me a yeast infection doesn't normally have an odor. I told her I had abnormal discharge, but she told me it could have just been PMS.
In the end she told me to use hydrocortizone cream. She was about to give me a perscription when I told her I already have some, so she just told me to use it. I have been using it, and it brings some relief but it's just temporary.
That was pretty much a week ago, I've been kinda busy and I'm going away this weekend but I'm thinking of seeing a doctor when I get back, because I've been itching for so long and there's obviously a problem. What could this be?? Could it be a yeast infection, even though the doctor said she didn't see any yeast? Or is there something else it could be?
By the way, I have not been sexually active, if that helps.
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Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:10 am
I will start off by saying good for you! So many people just grab that yeast infection cream and use it despite the warnings on the box that you need to be diagnosed with a yeast infection by a doctor before using it. So I am glad to hear that at least someone reads warnings and uses medications as intended. xp It's not surprising that your cream only helps temporarily. That's because it's just an itch cream; it makes you less itchy for a little while. It's not curing whatever is causing you to itch in the first place. As for what is making you itch, it's tough to say. You'll have to see the doctor again. In the meantime, you can read this: "Common causes of vaginal itching include: * Chemical irritants -- such as detergents, fabric softeners, feminine sprays, ointments, creams, douches, and contraceptive foams or jellies. * Vaginal yeast infection -- often includes a discharge that is white and curd-like. Vaginal yeast infections can be brought on by antibiotics, birth control pills, pregnancy, menstruation, condom use, sexual intercourse, diabetes, and a weakened immune system. * Vaginitis -- inflammation, itching, discharge, and odor caused by other infections (including sexually transmitted diseases). Vaginitis in girls before puberty is common. If a young girl has a sexually transmitted vaginal infection, however, sexual abuse must be considered and addressed. * Menopause -- the drop in estrogen causes thinning of the vaginal wall and less lubrication. * Stress -- may increase vaginal itching and make you more susceptible to infections. To prevent and treat vaginal itching: * Keep your genital area clean and dry. Use plain, unscented soap. * Avoid colored or perfumed toilet tissue and bubble bath. * Wear cotton panties or pantyhose with a cotton crotch. Avoid panties made from synthetic materials. For infants and toddlers, change diapers often. * Change out of wet clothing, especially wet bathing suits or exercise clothing, as soon as possible. * Avoid feminine hygiene sprays and douches. * Eat yogurt with live cultures or take lactobacillus acidophilus tablets when using antibiotics. Check with your doctor. * Cleanse by wiping or washing from front to back (v****a to a**s) after urinating or having a bowel movement. * Lose weight if you are over weight. * Keep your blood sugars under good control if you have diabetes. It is also helpful to: * Avoid scratching, which will only aggravate the problem. * Avoid overexertion, heat, and excessive sweating. * Delay sexual activity until your symptoms get better or at least use a lubricant during intercourse. * Use condoms to avoid catching or spreading sexually transmitted diseases." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003159.htm
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Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:52 pm
I hope it's not my detergent. I mean, what would I be able to do about that? I can't just not do my laundry, I need clean underwear! Do they make detergents that don't cause irritation?
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:56 am
Yes. If your detergent is the issue, it doesn't mean you can't wash your clothes. It just means you might need to try a different detergent. Some people develop allergic reactions to some detergents and not others. You could look for one that says all natural, gentle, hypoallergenic, safe for baby's skin, or some other similar thing on the bottle.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:49 am
I can't say much LorienLlewellyn pretty much covered all bases with the answer. I had an problem with my detergent too a while back, I got pregnant and my husband changed it to dreft a product for babies. I have to say I like it because its gently on sensitive skin and if your allergic to a detergent it probually doesn't have what ever is in the other stuff in this. But like she said just try a bunch of different ones the list of those things is endless.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:32 pm
I will try switching my detergent. I had to switch recently because the store on campus didn't carry the one I'd been using, but switching didn't have any effect.
I have a couple guesses for why I'm so itchy:
1) There might be a foreign object in there, like an exfoliating bead from a gentle exfoliating body wash I'd been using recently. I was always afraid some of the exfoliant would get in there and cause problems, though I'd been using it for years with no problems.
I'm not sure what to do if that's the case, how would I get something like that out of my v****a?
2) My pubic hair might be causing an irritation. See, I wanted to try trimming down there, so I did, and it would have grown back by now. But I'm starting to think the hair is coarser and more irritating than it used to be. Should I keep trimming? Is there some way to make that hair less irritating?
I'll try to make an appointment at the health center again tomorrow. Though my mom said I may have to go see a real doctor since the doctor I saw didn't seem too great.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:25 pm
1. If a bead got in your v****a, it would be out by now. The v****a cleans and flushes itself out naturally all the time. That is what discharge is for.
You might want to stop using that body wash on your genitals though. It's best to use a very mild soap down there.
2. If you've recently started trimming, that certainly could be why you're feeling itchy. Trimming is itchy. It's not your hair's fault, that's just the way it feels when it grows back in.
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Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:07 pm
Freedom Fire UPDATE: It's been a month now and the itching is still bothering me on and off. I have never had sex . . . but I do have a wart on one of my fingers. I don't use that one to masturbate but I'm starting to think maybe I did touch myself down there at some point and may have spread the HPV from my finger to my genitals. Is that possible? I'm going to be getting my period on Monday, but I really do think it's time to see a doctor. I'm thinking of making an appointment with Planned Parenthood, since I know it's a better bet than my campus health center. Though I'm starting to think no doctor would give me a pap test if I'm a virgin. Yes, you need to see an ob-gyn. Planned Parenthood would be a great place to go. I doubt this is HPV related. Ob-gyns give paps to virgins all the time. In fact, all girls are supposed to start getting paps every year starting when they become sexually active or turn 18, whichever happens first. Plenty of girls are still virgins at the age of 18 or older, and they still go in for their paps every year. 3nodding
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:19 pm
LorienLlewellyn Freedom Fire UPDATE: It's been a month now and the itching is still bothering me on and off. I have never had sex . . . but I do have a wart on one of my fingers. I don't use that one to masturbate but I'm starting to think maybe I did touch myself down there at some point and may have spread the HPV from my finger to my genitals. Is that possible? I'm going to be getting my period on Monday, but I really do think it's time to see a doctor. I'm thinking of making an appointment with Planned Parenthood, since I know it's a better bet than my campus health center. Though I'm starting to think no doctor would give me a pap test if I'm a virgin. Yes, you need to see an ob-gyn. Planned Parenthood would be a great place to go. I doubt this is HPV related. Ob-gyns give paps to virgins all the time. In fact, all girls are supposed to start getting paps every year starting when they become sexually active or turn 18, whichever happens first. Plenty of girls are still virgins at the age of 18 or older, and they still go in for their paps every year. 3nodding Really? The doctor at the campus health center gave me a weird look when I told her I'd even been examined. She said she could take a look but she was afraid the speculum would make me bleed because I was a virgin, and when I told her my gyno at home had done it once, she was very confused as to why. What's wrong with wanting to make sure it's all good down there? Which is why I'm not a fan of going there. I'm just a freshman, I've only seen two doctors there, but I don't have a lot of faith in that place. I think I can trust PP. Another question, if I have health insurance, would it cover a gyno exam at Planned Parenthood, or would I pay for it out of pocket?
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:42 am
Freedom Fire LorienLlewellyn Yes, you need to see an ob-gyn. Planned Parenthood would be a great place to go. I doubt this is HPV related. Ob-gyns give paps to virgins all the time. In fact, all girls are supposed to start getting paps every year starting when they become sexually active or turn 18, whichever happens first. Plenty of girls are still virgins at the age of 18 or older, and they still go in for their paps every year. 3nodding Really? The doctor at the campus health center gave me a weird look when I told her I'd even been examined. She said she could take a look but she was afraid the speculum would make me bleed because I was a virgin, and when I told her my gyno at home had done it once, she was very confused as to why. What's wrong with wanting to make sure it's all good down there? Which is why I'm not a fan of going there. I'm just a freshman, I've only seen two doctors there, but I don't have a lot of faith in that place. I think I can trust PP. Another question, if I have health insurance, would it cover a gyno exam at Planned Parenthood, or would I pay for it out of pocket? Yes, all girls are supposed to see an ob-gyn by the age of 18 ( some people say 21, but most say 18 ), whether they are sexually active or not. A doctor or nurse really should know that. Also, the ob-gyn's tools should not make you bleed. Virgins rarely bleed or feel any pain when penetrated if there is adequate lubrication. The whole "sex is supposed to be bloody and painful the first time" thing is just an old myth that the uneducated keep spreading. The v****a stays the same before and after sex, and hymens are usually torn before sex due to masturbation, manual sex, tampon use, running, jumping, etc. Ob-gyns put lots of lubricant on their tools before doing paps. So the pap may be uncomfortable since most of are nervous or tense, but it should not cause pain or bleeding. Some women do have a little bleeding from the cervix after the cells are scraped though, but that's not a big deal and has nothing to do with how sexually experienced they are. Honestly, I would never go to the woman at the campus health center again for anything related to reproductive health. If what you say is true, it sounds like she has little medical knowledge or training when it comes to this stuff. I don't know what the school's qualifications are for doctors or nurses, but some nurses have nothing more than a one year certificate. My aunt is one such nurse. It's actually amazing how little one can know and still be working in a medical field. Doctors and nurses are people too, and we can't expect them to know everything, but that's very basic knowledge when it comes to reproductive health. As for insurance, there's a good chance your paps will be covered. However, you could always call Planned Parenthood, tell them who your insurance provider is, and see what information they can give you as far as what will be covered. You can also bring your insurance card with you if you go. They also might want you to bring picture ID and your social security card if you have them.
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:02 am
LorienLlewellyn Yes, all girls are supposed to see an ob-gyn by the age of 18 ( some people say 21, but most say 18 ), whether they are sexually active or not. A doctor or nurse really should know that. Also, the ob-gyn's tools should not make you bleed. Virgins rarely bleed or feel any pain when penetrated if there is adequate lubrication. The whole "sex is supposed to be bloody and painful the first time" thing is just an old myth that the uneducated keep spreading. The v****a stays the same before and after sex, and hymens are usually torn before sex due to masturbation, manual sex, tampon use, running, jumping, etc. Ob-gyns put lots of lubricant on their tools before doing paps. So the pap may be uncomfortable since most of are nervous or tense, but it should not cause pain or bleeding. Some women do have a little bleeding from the cervix after the cells are scraped though, but that's not a big deal and has nothing to do with how sexually experienced they are. Honestly, I would never go to the woman at the campus health center again for anything related to reproductive health. If what you say is true, it sounds like she has little medical knowledge or training when it comes to this stuff. I don't know what the school's qualifications are for doctors or nurses, but some nurses have nothing more than a one year certificate. My aunt is one such nurse. It's actually amazing how little one can know and still be working in a medical field. Doctors and nurses are people too, and we can't expect them to know everything, but that's very basic knowledge when it comes to reproductive health. As for insurance, there's a good chance your paps will be covered. However, you could always call Planned Parenthood, tell them who your insurance provider is, and see what information they can give you as far as what will be covered. You can also bring your insurance card with you if you go. They also might want you to bring picture ID and your social security card if you have them. I just checked the website, it looks like my health insurance will cover it. They kind of have to assume their patients have health insurance where I live, because it's required in my state (which I think is a little strange but that's another issue). I'm definitely going to schedule an appointment, I just need to figure out which day will work best with my schedule. If I didn't have my period this week I'd try to see my doctor while I'm home on break, but unfortunately my Aunt Flow likes to come at the worst possible times.
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:39 pm
Quote: 2) My pubic hair might be causing an irritation. See, I wanted to try trimming down there, so I did, and it would have grown back by now. But I'm starting to think the hair is coarser and more irritating than it used to be. Should I keep trimming? Is there some way to make that hair less irritating? Yes, once you start trimming, it DOES get coarser and it gets really itchy when it starts growing back. I wish I could help you with a way that would make it less irritating.. the only things that I do to stop it from being itchy all the time is keep trimming it regularly (I find it grows like guys' facial hair... -_-) or just let it grow.
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