I had to have a colposcopy and then laser treatment 18 yrs ago to get rid of bad cervical cells!!! ( not sure what dr called it) Well now i am 43 and am very worried. I have been itching down below on the left had side of my vulva for about a month now, it is sore and i kept thinking there was either a tiny sore spot or a tiny cut, as it hurt when i went for a wee wee ( only on the outside). Well i have just been for my smear test and i just could not take the pain.The nurse then went and got the smallest instrument she could find and still it was pure agony, there was no way i could take the pain. The nurse called in the dr, who i then told her about the ithcyness and soreness, she took a look and said i also have a white patch in this area. She said i MUST have a vulva biopsy now. She also gave me 5 months worth of something called Vagifem ( a pessary), so this might help when i try to have the smear again. But what is worrying me is that i have read up on Vulva cancer and i have every single sypmtom, soreness, itchyness, swollen/thickened labia and a white patch. The Dr said there was also a tiny cut down there, how on earth did a cut get there, i certainly do not scratch with my fingers, only with toilet papaer. I am scared, but not terrified, i keep telling myself it will be ok. But i would much rather know the truth of the chances of it being cancer. Has anyone else had these symptoms. My Grandma, mum, and aunty have all died very young of different cancers, and now my last remaining female relative on moms side is terminal with it!!!! Dad also has a couple of brothers die of cancers.
I need the truth, and good honest answers. If i am going to laid up in bed for a while i have things to sort out with my disabled child.
Anyone advice anyone.

((cazajacks)) Sorry you are in so much pain and worry, I can understand how frightened you must be. Did your doctor take a biopsy at that appointment or are you booked to go for one? It is concerning/worriesome when we start looking up our symptoms online and they match cancer. Did your doctor mention any other possibilities than cancer? There are many causes to vulva itching and irritation/cuts. Lichen sclerosis is one, vulva vestibulitis or vulvodynia is another possibility. I am glad your doctor took a look and decided to be proactive and take a biopsy versus ignoring it. There are a few good resources out there for vulva issues, try to focus on all the possibilities that could be causing your problems and then once you have confirmation of what is going on, you can focus on a plan of action. I hope you get your results soon.

Hugs,
Karen

Please stay clam.
You need a clear head at this time.
I am confused. Did your doctor take a biopsy of the white tissue and maybe other areas?
The only way to know for sure is by testing and looking at the cells by a pathologist ASAP!

Please let us know what is up. Whatever it is you have been to see a doctor, and that is good. Stay up, positive until you have a reason to worry.

All will be well!

Praying for you

Hi, no i have not had the biopsy done yet, i have just got to sit here and wait for the appointment!!! You think they would hurry these things up as they must realise it frightens you knowing they are testing for cancer. The last 2 days i have been in agony, it sort of really flared up. It feels like i have cut myself open down there, and the dr did say there was some sort of little cut there, i done know why, there is no reason for there to be any little cuts.

((((cazajacks)))) I too am struggling with the same thing. My Dr has mentioned both cancer and Lichen Sclerosis...my biopsy is scheduled for the end of October. I am petrified....but the not knowing is worse. I have had t his since January. Timing couldn't have been worse as I was married last December and this has really put a crimp in my love life. It depresses me at times but as a rule I am very upbeat about it...or least I TRY to be.

It is comforting to know that I am not alone. Hang in there...and let's go thru this together.

Hi

these just sounds like typical thrush to me!! EVery symptom you have just describe is all a symptom of thrush which 1 in 3 women get at least once a year.

It's extremely common and the most common treatment for thrush is Vagifem pessary. Which is what the nurse gave you so I assume this is what they also think they have.

The tend to do a biopsy if you have very bad thrush or thrush that returns over and over again, and the reason they do this is that they can check for allergies to see what causes the thrush.

I suspect that the reason why you ended up so sore and with a small cut is because you left it untreated for so long so it just got worse and worse.

Have you had thrush before?? I have had a lot of thrush and also had a biopsy and have been in so much pain I couldnt walk never mind have a smear test....god I would have shot out of the chair ha ha...so I know these symptoms well.

I think the chances of it being cancer are extremely small!!!! I think that its so rare that they dont even think of checking for cancer unless you have a history of vuval cancer (according to my doctor).
I honestly think you are worrying for no reason!
x

I have heard of thrush, but my Dr. has not mentioned it as a possibility for me. She has said it could be cancerous or Sclerosis...I have had two Dr.s mention Sclerosis. Mine has been going on now for over 9 months. I am using ointments and creams prescribed by my OB/GYN but with little relief. Mine is getting so bad that I hate walking, sitting, sleeping, I just hate every thing right now.

This is very depressing to me..VERY depressing. I recently married (last December) only to have this hit me in January. I know it isn't a death sentence but it sure feels like a "life term"...:(

Ok...today is one of those "depressing days"...I am extremely depressed as I have been for the last two or three days.

Does this EVER get better????????????????????:confused:

Hi Catie, long time not hear!!!! I did get better and things healed up. Only for it to come back again but worse. I went to a private clinic and was told all i had wrong was a bad allergy to all smellies. I.E. talcs, bubble baths, shower gel, shampoo etc. This is what is meant to be making me so sore. i myself am not sure if this is the case. But i have been given creams etc. I have healed again at the moment, but it seems if i wipe myself too much when i go to the loo or rub a bit to roughly, this straight away kicks in my soreness down below. It seems to make me itch terribly, then i get more and more sore. It just goes on for weeks. I am now at the moment ok, but if i get the tiniest bit of diarrhea i will get sore again down there, back and front, or if i go for a number two too much, again all my soreness comes back with a vengance.
I really hope you are feeling better since you last posted.
caza