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What Causes Persistent Painful Itchy Vaginal Bumps?
Question: I have had these bumps in my vagina for3 months now. They do not change in size, they are off and on painful and itchy. I've been to 3 different doctors and no answers. One culture when I first noticed them came back negative for herpes, but I had a bacterial infection, yeast, and UTI. Then a blood test at 9 weeks came back negative as well. One doctor even gave me antiviral meds in case it was herpes while I awaited test results, but all came back negative. After my testing I continued to just finish the antiviral meds but nothing has changed. Does this look like anything u may know of that other drs I've seen don't? the photo is of each side of my vagina. thanks.
Brief Answer:
Likely candidal infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
I have reviewed the photographs.
The lesions in the vagina are likely to be either due to bacterial or candidal vaginal infection.
More likely is the candidal infection, as the photograph is showing white vaginal discharge and redness. There are 2 types of candidal infection, albicans and non-albicans, and the treatment for the two is different. The vaginal swab fungal culture is mandatory to diagnose the type of infection, and if inadequately treated will recur causing recurrent itching, redness , lesions and vaginal discharge.
I will suggest you to get a fungal culture of vaginal swab and get further management accordingly.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Likely candidal infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
I have reviewed the photographs.
The lesions in the vagina are likely to be either due to bacterial or candidal vaginal infection.
More likely is the candidal infection, as the photograph is showing white vaginal discharge and redness. There are 2 types of candidal infection, albicans and non-albicans, and the treatment for the two is different. The vaginal swab fungal culture is mandatory to diagnose the type of infection, and if inadequately treated will recur causing recurrent itching, redness , lesions and vaginal discharge.
I will suggest you to get a fungal culture of vaginal swab and get further management accordingly.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
let me mention it also so happened in the midst of all of this I had gone to get a physical and I had a high wbc. Idk if that had to do w me having a uti at the same time or what? this physical was taken before I took std blood testing as well. Does a fungal culture have to be specifically asked for to find out what type of yeast? I took diflucan for 5 days and nothing. I also tried metrodinozale. and I also took nitrofurantoin for the uti. Then the antiviral medicine I took was the valtrex and acyclovir. Nothing has worked. stays the same. right now I am just taking vitamins and red marine algae anything to up my immune system.
Brief Answer:
Longer treatment for non albicans candida
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, vaginal infection is frequently associated with urinary tract infection, and this leads to increased WBC counts.
Fungal culture is done to isolate the type of candida species, as the treatment for the two differs.
For non albicans candidal infection, fluconazole needs to be given foe a prolonged duration (14 days) and in a higher dose for complete treatment.
Metronidazole is given for bacterial infection.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Longer treatment for non albicans candida
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, vaginal infection is frequently associated with urinary tract infection, and this leads to increased WBC counts.
Fungal culture is done to isolate the type of candida species, as the treatment for the two differs.
For non albicans candidal infection, fluconazole needs to be given foe a prolonged duration (14 days) and in a higher dose for complete treatment.
Metronidazole is given for bacterial infection.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
okay. So I guess another Dr visit will have to be. I know my mom has refills for fluc. that she can get me for meanwhile to get a appt. I will try that. if that doesn't work will a dermatologist be the next step?? should I go get retested for herpes even after 2 negatives? I kind of accepted that maybe it was that even though the negative tests, but if it was that wouldn't they have been gone by now or something?? I just want answers to heal and take the right steps to get back out of this funk I'm in. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
You can consult a dermatologist if the fungal culture of vaginal smear comes negative.
If the two tests for herpes have come negative, then there are almost negligible chances that there will be any chance of herpes.
Moreover, in the photograph, the lesions do not appear to be of herpes.
A patient having herpes have a lot of burning sensation along with fever, which I assume is not present in your case.In my opinion, re testing for herpes will not help in further management.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Unlikely to be herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
You can consult a dermatologist if the fungal culture of vaginal smear comes negative.
If the two tests for herpes have come negative, then there are almost negligible chances that there will be any chance of herpes.
Moreover, in the photograph, the lesions do not appear to be of herpes.
A patient having herpes have a lot of burning sensation along with fever, which I assume is not present in your case.In my opinion, re testing for herpes will not help in further management.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Deepti Verma
OBGYN, Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Practicing since :2009
Answered : 5064 Questions
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