r/vulvodynia • u/Frosty-Frog96 • Apr 11 '26
Information ditch the dang toilet paper
I saw a post on here mentioning toilet paper was causing their itching and pain, so I decided to give it a shot and ditch my Kirkland toilet paper. Like many of you, I’ve been dealing with itching/pain for years, brushed off by dozens of doctors, and have tried literally ANYTHING suggested to me so I really didn’t think this was going to make a big difference. When I tell you I was so so so wrong!!
The next day after reading that post I got a bidet, and literally within 24 hours 80% of my itchiness was gone, then 100% after a few days. I tried having sex a week later, and where I usually feel itching, burning, rawness etc, it felt almost completely normal (besides the muscle tightness from years of expected pain).
Since then I've only felt the faintest bit of itching right before my period (nothing close to what it was before, but still seems to be some sort of hormonal symptom) but besides that, my usual constant itching is completely gone! A few weeks after using no toilet paper, I used a public bathroom where I didn’t have access to the sink to use water, so I used their toilet paper and was super itchy the rest of the day. Since then, I carry Water Wipes with me when I'm out/traveling and haven't had any irritation with those either. If you haven't tried it, try ditching toilet paper for a bit and see if it helps!
Just for some additional info that might help someone - A few years ago l went to a dermatologist that specializes in vulvar conditions and she saw nothing wrong, so the toilet paper wasn't showing any physical irritation or skin issues.
I just had to share this info in hopes it helps at least one person. I switched to cotton undies, I stopped using tampons, I changed my soaps etc, but never in a million years did I think to check my freaking toilet paper.
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u/Odd_Description4313 Apr 11 '26
What do you use to dry yourself? I use a bidet as well but I pat dry with tp
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u/Frosty-Frog96 Apr 11 '26
I’ve also heard of people using bamboo toilet paper and had no issues but I haven’t tried it myself
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u/Happy_Doughnut_1 Apr 12 '26
Had to try a lot of different toilet paper brands to find one that didn‘t hurt like sand paper.
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u/Frosty-Frog96 Apr 13 '26
Which is INSANE that toilet paper isn’t inherently sensitive skin friendly considering the type of skin it makes contact with
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u/Safe-Veterinarian-56 Apr 12 '26
Could it be possible it was the wiping motion and not the toilet paper itself?
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u/Frosty-Frog96 Apr 12 '26
Honestly I doubt it, because I’m still wiping with Water Wipes while away from home and I’m not reacting the same as before!
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u/clara1n3 Apr 12 '26
I ditched Kirkland brand wipes and switched to water wipes and I’m feeling much better results as well! I’m still considering which bidet might be right for me, but I just think there’s something up with Kirkland brand specifically…
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u/Frosty-Frog96 Apr 13 '26
Im so glad you’re feeling better! I wonder what that’s about because the original post I saw also mentioned they were using Kirkland’s… I’m almost thinking to send an email cause Costco typically listens to their customers
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u/clara1n3 Apr 13 '26
Don’t quote me, but I do believe there was a lawsuit against them over their fragrance free baby wipes. I’ve literally got a whole box ready to be returned. Ever since I’ve stopped using them my bits have been much happier. I noticed a difference the day that I switched to WW.
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u/USA2Elsewhere Apr 12 '26
Glad you found something to replace that toilet paper. My vulvodynia only causes symptoms on contact. I guess that's why I've done nothing about it for the 40+ years since I first was aware of it
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u/Frosty-Frog96 Apr 13 '26
I hope you find relief soon!!
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u/USA2Elsewhere 25d ago
I feel very lucky to have only random occasional itching in that area and in the surrounding areas and only when something accidentally bangs it hard. Mostly I forget about it. A chronic but mild case for 40 years. Thank you.
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u/Dependent_Career_406 Apr 12 '26
Was your pain just outside or also inside? Since you mention pain free sex after changing your habits ...
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u/Frosty-Frog96 Apr 13 '26
So I would only feel pain during intercourse, and I would feel that pain inside as well as at the entrance. My unprovoked symptom was itching, and the itching would occur mainly at the entrance of the vagina, sometimes slightly inside but mainly just at the entrance
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u/Dependent_Career_406 Apr 13 '26
Okay 😯 I have similar symptoms and it sounds too good to be true that this alone might help. I mainly try to avoid fragrances in any form, but especially in toilet paper, cremes or anything else that might come near that area
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u/Old-Debt6242 Apr 13 '26
Your itch was internal or external?
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u/Frosty-Frog96 Apr 13 '26
My itching was mainly like right at the entrance of the vagina, maybe slightly inside sometimes but usually just the entrance
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u/gardengay15 Apr 15 '26
i have recently come to a similar conclusion! i noticed that when i was camping and 'drip drying' after doing bush wees i actually had less symptoms than at home which confused me because i thought the potential dirtier environment may lead to more symptoms. this happened a few trips in a row and now i am sure that toilet paper provokes itch for me. i know its not the cause (my itch is caused from many years of chronic infection leading to vulvadynia/sensitivity) but tp provokes it!
another note is ive noticed a similar thing whilst cleaning my vulvar in the showrer, i was cleaning with just water and my hands but i think for years i was cleaning too much, really rubbing the skin and making it spotless. recently i have pulled back, just gentley cleaning instead of rubbing or scraping and it has helped heaps as well! sometimes the more natural the better for our skin hey
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u/headyfesty Apr 17 '26
Kirkland toilet paper made me think I had an infection. Stopped using it. No more burning.
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u/Throwaway172892930 Apr 11 '26
Thank you so much for this, so happy for you! What do you do when out of the house?
Was the root cause of your itch solely the toilet paper or did you have anything else also going on? Did you have any body wide itch / MCAS or other allergy symptoms? Thanks again!