Vaginal and anal tearing/fissures

[arrowsmom]

For the last 6 months I have been getting tearing (look like paper cuts) in my vaginal area (1/4 to 1/2 inch long). I get the tears at least once or twice a week and they last from 2-4 days, go away for a few days and then come back. They continue to occur in the same locations;
1. Inside the vaginal lips on the sides almost always in the crease (between the labia minora and majora?)
2. Between the anus and vaginal opening (perineum)
3. Above the clitoris in the "hood" area.

This tearing is not related to intercourse since my husband and I are unable to do that due to the pain it causes me.  There is no real pain otherwise. I am getting some minor bleeding when I poop due to the tears in the anal area. The entire vaginal area is very itchy and if I scratch or rub the skin at all I often give myself one of these tears.  It seems as if the skin is very thin. There are no other symptoms that I am aware of.

I have had blood work and a biopsy done. Some of the things that I was tested for were; genital herpes, lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen planus, vulvar vestibulitis.  All results came back negative. The biopsy tested positive for "healing ulcers". My doctor does not seem to know what the problem is and is contacting a specialist in Lebanon, NH.

My Dr. prescribed an estrogen cream which did not seem to work. I have not been on any other medication for this. I am looking for some guidance as to what this condition may be and how to treat it. My husband & I want to get pregnant soon but I would like to resolve this issue first. Please help.

[lichgirl]

It is most likely lichen sclerosus, it should be biopsied by a gyn or dermatologist to be sure.  It can turn into cancer.

[yellowdiamond1014]

have any of you been told that it could be a semen allergy? I am allergic to latex so my husband & I do not use condoms. I was told by my gynocologist that I have a semen allergy??? I do not remember having the paper cut like tears prior to losing my virginity & I have only been with my husband so she could very well be correct. Although sometimes just wiping after urination or stretching creates the tears. Maybe I have thin skin down there? Has anyone found a correct iagnosis for this issue? Please let me know!!!

[laura_marrie]

So I'm not crazy! These cuts are ruining my sex life! And just dealing with them all day is torture. The only thing that helps me is keeping vaginal feminine moisturizer on ALL day, I apply after every trip to the bathroom and before and after sex, the tears haven't gone away completely but it helps from the pain and dryness. If anyone finds out anything I think we should email all the other ladies! laura_marrie***@****

[jennypat80]

So glad I'm not alone in this.
I was not so blessed with larger labia and as a dancer all my childhood I got a lot of tears on my vagina which I put down to doing the splits all the time. In my mid 20s I decided to get my labia trimmed as they were uncomfortable during sex, getting in the way and just plain yuck. SInce having it done I have had no problems at all, not one single tear.
However, I had my first child last year and ever since then it is back!! I have 2 small tears around my anus that will not go away, they don't give me too much trouble but every night inthe shower when the water hits,man does it hurt. I also have 3 or 4 around my labia that also will not go away. WHen my son came out he did a lot of damage, I had at least 16 stitches and my labia was stretched pretty much back to how it was befre I had them trimmed. SO I am thinking that it also has a bit to do with the size of the labia and how they get pulled and tugged on with day to day activities?? I'm currently tryin canestin for yeast infections to try and subside some of the itch as it's flared up since my last sexual encounter. My poor husband, we had a fantastic sex life before having our baby and now with all my vaginal issues (I also got Vaginismus after birth) we hardly have sex at all and when we do it is painful and causes another tear. AArrrgh. I'm at my wits end. Why is there nothing being done to help fix and treat such an obvious problem in womens health??

[JBean28]

PLEASE HELP!!

I recently (about 2 weeks ago) noticed like very small cuts almost like a papercut near the opening of my vagina. They only appear like 1 or 2 (1 on each side of the vagina) and they go away after a day or two. The skin around there feels kind of dry and has like a white flake to it... It almost looks like dry skin or something, but I don't think thats it.

I am not on any antiobiotics. I haven't had sex in awhile. As far as I know, no one I had sex with had herpes. I am REALLY SCARED because I don't know what these are. Maybe a 3 weeks before they appeared I had some pain while peeing, but that was it and it only lasted for a day or so. I am on an anti-depressant called sertraline. They don't really hurt when I pee, only if I actually scratch the actual cut (or for instance when I wipe, but sometimes that doesn't even hurt the cut). They don't itch or burn or anything otherwise. I do scrub my vagina when I shower, but I have always done that so I don't think that could be the cause of it either.

I am so scared and I feel like I should get tested for an STI, but everyone I have talked to said that what I am describing and how fast it is coming and disappearing doesn't sound like an STI. I currently don't have insurance because I am putting myself through grad school and working 50 hours a week as a nanny so any doctor visits are out of my pocket. Obviously, I am willing to see someone if what I have sounds serious. I have been really stressed lately and I don't know if that could possibly cause them. PLEASE PLEASE help me with some advice! I would really appreciate it soo much!!

Thank you!

[healingroad]

I've been having vaginal tears, anal irritation and vaginal itching off and on for the last 8 months. I've never had anything like this before then, but it seems to be a semi chronic thing now. My doc said it didn't look like any STDs and that its a common thing connected to yeast/candida. Even though those symptoms are not all present at the same time. I found that following a strict candida diet was totally effective. No sweets at all, even fruit. No coffee of acidic things. Lemon and lime water are alcalizing, which helps. No white flour and no or low wheat. Also nothing yeasty or fermented. I kept this up pretty well for six months, and was really strict for 3. I was hoping by cleansing the candida out of my body I could eventulally go back to my normal wholesome diet. I also took black walnut and wormwood tinctures for 2 months.

Now, I've been eating normally and drinking coffee again for a few months and I got another tear during sex. I also have some general irritation and a bit of itching in my labia anytime I eat anything at all sweat.

I don't have any solutions to offer, but to stop the symptoms, stop drinking coffee and tea and eating sweets. You will heal way faster.