Severe Itching

[Sharpers]

I have various ongoing health issues and often suffer with Thrush especially after a course of antibiotics my last episode of Thrush left me in discomfort for a few weeks and was unable to shift this with the usual Clotrimazole cream having eventually getting a doctors appointment I was given Hydrocortisone Clotrimazole which eventually helped clear things up. Whilst this was all going on I had painful itching and soreness which I also advised my Dr was happening I had an internal in the practice and also a smear and scrape of the vaginal area giving the most discomfort. The tests all came back fine not even indicating that I had Thrush ?

Also I have irregular periods sometimes I may get a period 2 months in a row then other times I may not
get one again for a few months this has been ongoing since 2008 when I was diagnosed with Benign ICP I have had various treatment for this several LP's etc but all clear since 2011 so no further treatment in place but still having irregular periods. Due to the medication I'm taking I have my bloods taken every 3 months and my hormone levels are regularly checked i have been advised by my doctor that I am not menopausle ? I have also been in hospital for a Trans Vaginal Ultrasound just to be sure nothing else is being missed again this came back clear.

Going back to the itching right now I am on month 2 with no period again and as soon as I miss month 1 I start itching the longer I'm without a period the more the itching becomes unbearable I have to constantly douche throughout the day in between applying cream to stop myself from itching it's making life unbearable when I sleep I seem to scratch until I'm red raw the scratching is from the clitorus area right round to near my back passage mainly on the left side.

Please help me this is taking over my life I am trying really hard to function but this condition is making a normally happy go lucky kind of person into a snappy unbearable monster.

[Dr Helen Fawcett]

Hi, clinically you have 2 problems which may or may not be related. Vaginal itching and irregular periods.
You should rule out infection and have a diagnosis of thrush confirmed on a swab, as the itching may be due to another cause. If thrush is confirmed this can be treated with clotrimazole cream and pessary or fluconazole orally. If there is no thrush or other infection, you have to look at others ways to treat the itching. It may be a form of eczema and respond to steroid creams. Some local oestragen cream or pesssaries may help, this may be more effective if the cause is a hormone imbalance which may also be causing the irregular periods.
The irregular periods can be investigated with a hormone profile day 2-6 of your cycle. These are often difficult to interpret unless you have some hormone knowledge. Also thyroid profile. A common cause of irregular periods is polycystic ovary syndrome, which shows on hormone blood test and also on the scan you had. You may need referral to a specialist. Good luck