What do you think this is? [gross female problem]
 

I've waited a week and now I'm going to see my gyno but before I do that I was curious if any of you had heard of this before? I need to calm my mind because I'm freaking out. I have the usual yeast infection symptoms: irritation, discharge but now also a few others. Now these little bumps have appeared around the inner opening of my vagina. Also, the top of my vagina opening has cracked open and is bleeding lightly. I also just stupidly tried to have sex with my SO only to find out that these bumps must be inside also because that hurt like hell(it also felt like he was rubbing up against a bump)! I don't have herpes (at least not the genital kind; just oral). Same with my SO. I have been with the same man for five years and neither of us has had sex with anyone else while in the relationship. Please help me. I was wondering if any of you have heard of this or if this has happened to you.

This could be a few things, I'm no doctor but I think this sounds like:

1) Genital herpes - particularly because you report cracking which is more characteristic of this than HPV. You're saying you don't have it, but have you been tested for it?
2) HPV - Genital Warts
3) Vaginal Cysts (i.e. Bartholin's cyst or other type) or polyps though these seems less likely to have appeared so suddenly
4) As for the discharge, I'm guessing it could be something separate like Bacterial Vaginosis
5) It could be none of the above, this is guessing

Get yourself to your gynecologist ASAP, he will be able to help you way better than us. Hope you get better soon.

Yeah, I don't really know Impetuous1, but I too thought it sounded like genital herpes when you mentioned the cracking.

Good luck!

You should be aware that STD's can lie dormant for years before appearing. Seeing the gynocologist is your best bet.

Well if you let a yeast infection go long enough it definately can cause pain and the cracking you described. Maybe the bumps were there all along and you just never noticed them until you became really irritated in that area. The bumps could just be normal for you.....you are doing the right thing and heading to the gyno. Personally I think it is just a yeast infection, you never know though!

I've had a lot of problems with yeast infections in the past, although never as severe as this. However, on some of the worst ones, I did notice areas where the irritation was worse and there were some very slight little red bumps or cracks, hard to say which. So I agree with Nikki that this could be what you're experiencing to a much higher degree. As everyone else said going to the doctor is the best choice. Hope everything turns out alright.

I almost always get cracking with my yeast infections. It's really unpleasant! Also, when I was 11 or so I got a yeast infection and didn't know it because I was so young. I broke out in bumps all over my coochie because the skin was so irritated. So yes, something as simple as a yeast infection can go that badly, but I would get to your doc ASAP.

Thanks everyone for your responses. They have really helped to put my mind at rest. Unfortunately, I have to wait to make an appointment since it's the weekend but I'll definitely be heading that way ASAP. I did have these bumps before now that you mention it. I remember showing them to the gyno one time and she didn't seem too concerned about it. As far as getting tested for herpes, no I haven't. I guess because I already know I have herpes since I get cold sores and I'm pretty sure I'll test positive for it. I know there are 2 types of herpes and at one time they were exclusive to genital and oral but from what I was reading, in recent years that is not really the case any longer. Now they're almost interchangeable. Apparently my immune system has decided to make a complete nosedive in the meantime because now my tonsils are swollen. What a great weekend! Anyways, thanks everyone.

This does sound like a yeast infection. I've had many, as well. We normally have some bumps on the tissue surrounding our vaginal opening and when the tissues swell during a yeast infection, they become more pronounced and noticeable. The cracks are normal, too. It is just from the irritation and distress to those very sensitive and delicate tissues.

If you have regular yeast infections, go to the health food store and get an acidopholus supplement (in the refrigerated section!). Primadophulus by Nature's Way is the one I use and it is excellent. You only need to take it once a day and it is enteric coated so the flora in the capsule can survive its travel through your stomach. And eat at least two packages of yogurt per day, if you like it. I used to get yeast infections regularly and have not ever since starting on the acidopholus. ESPECIALLY if you ever have to take an antibiotic!

Caprylic Acid is also very useful for keeping yeast under control.

But all that said, you should definitely see your doctor and get an expert opinion on your present condition. For peace of mind. Your problem doesn't sound like herpes to me, though.

sounds like a classic severe yeast infection to me....been there done that, its not fun NO SEX until its gone...and I mean GONE you can end up where he keeps transferring the bacteria back to you and it will be the devil to get rid of

Excellent advice ladies. Especially you mixedmedia. I am lactose intolerant and it has been getting worse as I get older so I thought I would start cutting back on dairy products. Yogurt being one of those products I had cut out of my diet. Lo and behold I get a nasty yeast infection. I'll be heading to my local health food store for some of those supplements. Come to think of it, I haven't been the same ever since I had to take some antibiotics last November. Oh well. Anyways, thanks for the help again. It did all turn out to just be a really nasty yeast infection.

I'm so glad! And you're welcome. The concept of yeast overgrowth is a medically controversial notion, but we do know that antibiotics kill not only the nasty bacteria that we don't want, but also the friendly bacteria that we need to keep our digestive, urinary and reproductive environments in balance. In my own experience I have found the evidence that yeast overgrowth is a real (and manageable!) condition to be very plausible. It's very likely that an acidopholus supplement alone will keep you free of yeast infections. If you are lactose intolerant though, you may want to check with your doctor about the yogurt. But honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the acidopholus didn't help you with that condition, as well. When you go to the health food store, ask for advice about that.

New here but wanted to reply to this. I'm the queen of YIs (what an honor!) and I can relate to your agony. Glad to see it was nothing worse than an irritable infection, though. I am also lactose intolerant (pretty severely) but have no problem digesting yogurt comfortably. It's one of the only dairy foods I can eat with no, um, aftermath to deal with.

I would recommend the acidophilus supplement - you can purchase a dairy-free version - as well as a bottle of AZO Yeast pills, which I truly believe are little wonder pills. They're just herbal supplements but somehow they work to prevent YIs. I don't know what I'd do without 'em.