Swelling?

[anese.livejournal.com]

I'm super paranoid about STDs...even though the only person I have ever had sex with is my long term boyfriend--we always use condoms--and it isn't that I think he's running around having sex with other people, its that even though he has been tested for STDs, sometimes males don't get symptoms of certain diseases.

The last time that we had sex was over a month ago, right around New Year's.

A few days ago, I started to experience swelling around my vagina, but no discharge...some minor itching followed by soreness and discomfort.

I was thinking this could be vaginosis? I'm still looking for work right now and I'm not covered by my parent's health insurance anymore, but just the same, I talked to my mom and we're going to find a gyno so I can get checked out.

I'm thinking this is some type of vaginal infection, and I hope that it is nothing serious.

It could be due to my own terrible eating habits/lack of sleep, I dont take good care of myself and was wondering if this was weakening my system? It will probably take a week before a doctor would see me, since I don't have a gyno and last time I tried to make an appointment with one, they wanted me to wait a month to see them!

can anyone give me some insight/put my mind at ease?

At least the discomfort isn't incredibly unbearable!

Comments

[thought-ribbons.livejournal.com]

I really doubt that it's and STD/STI because it's been a long time for it to show and just swelling/itching, which is most likly Vaginosis, or a BV or a YI! Even just seeing a regular dr, they can probally diagnosis somthing like vaginosis. But def. see your dr, but based on what you're saying I highly doubt it is an STD

[grimalkinrn.livejournal.com]

If you have changed soaps or detergent, then you might be having a reaction to that. Wearing cotton panties and looser clothing can help to ease your symptoms. Always wiping front to back is another way to help prevent infections and irritation.

If you are in the United States, Planned Parenthood will usually get you in fairly quickly if you are having symptoms, and often they will use a sliding scale for payment. Since you are having sex, you should be having yearly vaginal exams.

If you are eating poorly, then yes, that could increase you chance of developing any infection, especially yeast infections and UTIs. Taking a multivitamin may be a good way of improving your health, but really, balancing your diet, eating an appropriate amount of calories, and exercising is the way to try to stay healthy. If you do see a medical professional, they may have handouts to guide you in eating better.

[cbackson.livejournal.com]

Just to put your mind at ease: STD tests don't rely on symptoms, so a test for (say) chlamydia would have been positive if he had it regardless of symptoms. So I think you can assume that if he's tested negative for something, it's not still lurking :) I suspect it is more likely an allergy or maybe a YI--I've had one that just had soreness and minor itching, and not the typically discharge.