r/vulvodynia • u/Dreamangel22x • Jan 16 '26
Vent I'm depressed and in pain months after contact dermatitis NSFW
Hi sorry for the vent and tmi. So I (34) was recovering from vaginismus last year and feeling normal finally, but I used some estrogen cream and had a horrible reaction to it. Months later and the burning pain eventually went away a bit, I got a job where I sit a lot, the burning has come back and even worse, I'm hypersensitive! It's sensitive to even touch there. So it's uncomfortable now to even have clit orgasms because of how sensitive I am:(
I've tried aquafor, cortisone cream, and some emuaid for the burning but they either haven't helped or made it worse. The best way I can describe it is that crampy feeling like when I have my period. My PT says it will go away but I feel like my body is broken, and even when I try to get help, I end up with more pain :( Why is it so hard to just have a body that works like normal? I don't understand why things felt pretty normal just a few weeks ago and now I feel completely messed up. Am I just stuck having flare ups all my life now all because I used a cream?
If anyone had any kind of advice or support id really appreciate it ❤️
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u/Melodic_Data_1822 Jan 16 '26
I’ve been in a similar place!! After I had a yeast infection for the first time it screwed everything up and I felt like I was never going to get better. Some things that helped: zinc oxide paste (make sure it is just zinc oxide and white petroleum. Nothing added. I smeared it all over my vulva, only avoiding the vagina opening and it helped reduce a lot of pain from friction or contact.), and a donut shaped pillow for sitting. When I sleep at night, I also put a small pillow between my thighs to reduce contact.
I’m mostly better now after a few months, but during my period I notice a flare of symptoms. The zinc helps with this. Also I try to avoid underwear as much as possible now, but when I go in public I’ll wear really soft cotton men’s boxer briefs and that gives me some extra room.
It sucks so much, but with time and reduced friction you will feel better. I didn’t realize how long it takes to heal the skin down there but every day you feel less pain is a win!
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u/Competitive-Net1603 Jan 19 '26
I feel horrible for you! I had this happen to me after reoccurring thrush that drs mistreated with topical steroid cream and gave me Estrogen cream that made the thrush worse and I then overused otc thrush treatment and my skin reacted to every little thing. I guess I got irritant dermatitis from it all. And a terrible Vulvodynia flare.
eventually it calmed down so much. It took lots of trial and error to see what helped, I kept it very simple, wash only with water, undyed bamboo toilet paper I even use toilet paper to pat dry after a shower as towels are too rough. I started using just uber lube to add some barrier and moisture, then tried Devine oil by elshka which helped a lot to bring down my inflammation and rawness. Slowly it all calmed down and I’ve been able to use olive&bee intimate cream it’s very hydrating and yes vm internally to help repair the vagina mucosa. I would only try one new thing at a time and had to start trusting the process that it would heal. Everyday I’d say an affirmation along the lines of “I trust my body is healing” “I am safe in my body” “Healing is taking place,even if I can’t see it yet” Just helped calm my mind and nervous system.
I know it’s not the same as your experience but I also thought it would never end but I’m learning the vulva and vagina take a very long time to heal, especially when the barrier has been compromised.
Ice packs help too and taking breaks from sitting. I know it’s hard when you’re working and must sit for long periods of time. I hope you heal soon
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u/Comprehensive_Award3 Jan 19 '26
Hi, what toilet paper brand do you use? I can’t find anything that completely resolves my issue
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u/Competitive-Net1603 Jan 19 '26
I’m in Australia and use eco cheeks they’re undyed bamboo. I tried many different ones and these are the only ones that are so soft don’t crumble and gentle no nasties at all
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u/Dreamangel22x Jan 19 '26
Thank you sm for telling me it does get better! I really needed to hear that. Even the hydrocortisone cream hurt me so I wonder if it's even dermatitis. I'm just so afraid I gave myself a new nerve pain condition:( but you're right I need to trust my body is healing ❤️ what is vm?
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u/Competitive-Net1603 Jan 19 '26
I completely understand, I was you and just couldn’t see it improving but ppl kept saying it will heal. Same hear hydrocortisone started to burn me too and I was freaking out. I too doubted it was yeast infection or my Vulvodynia and couldn’t believe a yeast infection could evolve into nerve pain and skin damage but my sister went through the same thing 10yrs ago and she kept reminding me that it was my Vulvodynia flaring and that it gets better. Have you done a microbiome test like Juno bio? My dr dismissed my symptoms as dermatitis for 2yrs but when I did the Juno it came back yi BV and ureaplasma. Once all three were treated the inflammation came down and with the help of a naturopath and my pt I started to see improvements. I’m still in a flare but nowhere near as bad. I can now go for long walks without the skin swelling and turning red and inflamed. Unfortunately the nerves are highly sensitive when there’s been any type of inflammation and we tend to hold tension in our pelvic floor especially when there’s been so much pain and it’s stressful. Vm is YES VAGINA MOISTURISER it’s an organic water based moisturiser that you can use internally to help relieve dryness but i wouldn't try anything new until you are sure about what’s going on.
To help inflammation and pain I had to begin with everything orally. I took antihistamines-Zyrtec in am and phenergan pm (helped me sleep) diazepam 5mg which really helped both pain tension nerves and anxiety about it all. Sea buckthorn oil capsules helps hydrate the skin (tested in menopausal woman) my naturopath recommended it along with an omega supplement. And she also prescribed QUERCESORB helps mast cells/histamine and inflammation.
I got recommended the book you can heal for affirmations and I found it helpful.
I’m so sorry you’re struggling ❤️
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u/vicariouslyhaunted Jan 16 '26
I struggled with spongiotic dermatitis for over a year. It does get better, but I still struggle with the effects to this day (including sensitivity when I touch one of the inner lips).
What helped me was using vanicream wash to clean myself down there, vanicream cream for after to keep the area moist, and I started using a water filter in the shower. I get mine from sproos
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u/puzzlebox-101 Jan 18 '26
I don’t know how well it might work for you, but basically the only cream that helps my contact dermatitis is Aquaphors steroid cream. Skinny tall white box with a red circle on it, inside is a single white toothpaste shaped container. It has a cool menthol sort of feeling but it works rapidly for me. Best of luck.
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u/Myr_Ryam Jan 19 '26
It used to be like that for me. I was a month pain free and thought I had been cured, and a month later out of nowhere, maybe because my underwear was too tight or it was too hot or something, the pain came back. If you are not already, I recommend talking to a specialist about oral medication? It saved my life, went from being in pain 99.9% of the time for like two years, to feeling pain only around my period or to certain triggers.
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u/Dreamangel22x Jan 19 '26
I don't want to take medication for this, especially since it was a cream I didn't even want to use. I just want my body to be like it was before:(
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u/Myr_Ryam Jan 20 '26
Yeah I get it, but I don’t think it’s the cream that could cause you to have flare ups in the long run, it’s the vulvodynia. The estrogen cream triggered that pain again. At least that’s my guess
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u/Intrepid-Beat-3660 Jan 16 '26
Look into mast cells. I’m 8 days post vestibulectomy and my results came back with mast cells. You could possibly have a mast cell activation disorder of some sort. My issue was that’s and Neroproliferation of nerves