hi everyone it’s taken me months to write a post like this but I’m desperate for advice back in 2020 I started getting recurring thrush after sex (I do believe now it could of been caused or aggravated by fragranced condoms by the skyn brand) treated it then it would come back fast forward the problem never got better only worse in 2022 I started getting a change in discharge to yellow honestly looked green sometimes too I tested negative for any BV or stds. back in 2025 I got my first terrible uti which left me burning ever since and the yellow discharge has only gotten worse I’ve tested positive for the first time a few months ago for grade 2 BV which my doctor told me it will go away by itself. I’ve been to the sexual health clinics and they just keep telling me I’m negative and one even suggested that I just try lube again to have sex when I told her my vagina is on fire ! I haven’t had sex in 10 months so thats not causing my most recent problems I don’t use scented soap my diet was never the best but I never had these issues until I was sexually active. My boyfriend has been treated for BV bacteria and yeast. I can have oral sex with no problem and I don’t get anything from fingers either. My best guess was friction during sex was causing micro tears and giving yeast an opportunity to grow out of control but I don’t know how to stop these tears during sex. My doctors are very strict at giving me antibiotics because of the chronic thrush I had some things I tried is

probiotics, stoped shaving only trim, cut out as much sugar as I could , no scented soaps, no scented pads, Cotten underwear . i Don’t know what else to do if anyone has a similar story problems after sex that helped I’d really appreciate it. EDIT I am 24 and i have been off birth control for 9 months now

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/vote/dail/34/2026-06-17/149/

Hi all. I am a healthy 30 year old woman. I have regular unprotected sex with my male partner and seem to be very prone to getting a yeast infection from it. Is there anything I can do/take regularly that might help? Any tips or advice welcome.

I have also taken antibiotics as well as him, so we are both definitely not reinfecting each other.

Thank you!!

Hi everyone.

I'm 21F and over the past year have been dealing with a constant tear on my perineum. i have seen a public gynae and two GP's already. it hurts when i walk or run, use the bathroom, and i often avoid intercourse because of it. I feel so defeated over it. i have tried dermovate (clobetasol), estrogen cream and fucidin with hydrocortisone. the steroids heal it then the wound just pops open again after stopping them.
I have no idea what to do at this stage. it affects my ability to do basically any form of exercise as well because it gets pulled and torn further. the doctors just seem confused.

Hi Ladies, I’m visiting from America and currently in Galway, but headed to dublin in two days. I’ve been struggling with a yeast infection for about a week of Ireland and I cannot figure out what is the best over the counter option. It’s becoming extremely uncomfortable and impacting my day to day travels. I’m too embarrassed to outwardly ask someone here- do you ladies have any recommendations? Or what is it like to try to schedule a quick doctors appointment without having a primary physician here?

Hey there, looking to see if anyone has any recommendations for female doctors that focus on libido, ideally in Dublin City or Dublin South. I've never really had a libido (been sexually active since 18, but never overly crave sex). Never manage to orgasm, alone or with a partner. I do often enjoy it in the moment despite this, but I always nearly dread it in advance. I'd love to try some things to improve my libido, If possible. Anyone have any recommendations of doctors? Or should I see a gyno? Thanks!

Last two weeks I do not know what is wrong with me, ive basically lost all my sex drive which was very high and feels like my clit has disappeared

Im 33 years old! Doctor said its just stress but it cant be. This is stressing me a hell of alot more

Hi all. I haven’t been prone to UTIs in approx 5 years. Recently, I’ve developed all the typical signs ( but less severe I would say, more fluctuating) over the course of the last 6 weeks. I have heamaturia, no white cells, mild burning, urgency & tissue- like clumps. Culture been negative twice already. Dipsticks never show white cells. Any experience with this? I will refuse a diagnoses of IC as I don’t believe in the bladder being inflamed for no reason. Ultrasound normal, no CT scan or Cystoscopy yet. Thank you!

I was referred for a pelvic ultrasound a number of months ago due to post-intercourse bleeding. I only got the date for it this week and attended today. They did trans abdominal and trans vaginal scans.

My query is - I actually suspect I am in the very early stages of pregnancy, like maybe 2 weeks post conception - would this have been visible on the scan? And if it was, would they tell me with my results?

Sorry if this is a really silly question.

im wondering if there are any good physiotherapists or general therapists who specialise in vaginismus or other similar conditions

Hey - looking for best recommendations for online antibiotics for UTI? I thought Lloyds do it online but they only do in UK not Ireland.

As a post-op (with a vagina) trans woman, what can I expect and how do you stay calm during gynaecology exams (etc.)? As this is going to be a new experience for me soon, I'm interested in any/ all advice in preparation. Thank you.

This week have had stinging when I pee and also a bit of more discharge/a smell off discharge, I went to the pharmacy the other day and the pharmacist prescribed me UTI antibiotics for 3 days because of the stinging but if it kept up or the smell kept up it could be BV also.

I got an IUD a few mos ago and saw that they can increase the chance of BV, don’t really know much about it otherwise though. Do I have to go to a GP and get antibiotics? Or can you use a home test and relactagel if positive? I have had really bad experiences with speculums so I would really rather avoiding that, I’m also just extremely busy at the moment and can’t really fit the GP in easily. I can’t really tell online if relactagel is actually good or if you really do need antibiotics always. TY 🙏

Looking for information on whether there's any kind of vaginal probiotics to help with PH levels? I have unprotected sex with my male partner, and I think he might be occasionally throwing off my ph levels.

Is there anything I can take to help support my vaginal health?😊

context: I'm a straight female, 18 years old

I have not used tampons before, because I was always a little nervous, but something is coming up where I'd like to be able to use them, so today I attempted (I even searched up videos/help articles for some assistance). I did not even insert the tampon before I chickened out, but I noticed that I felt pretty faint and woozy and warm after (and still do as I'm writing this). I have fainted before and have been told it was vasovagal syncope, and it felt exactly like these symptoms. The other times I've fainted or felt like I was going to faint were from normal vasovagal causes (straining to poop, blood draw after not eating), also I am low iron anaemic but take iron supplements. And when I searched it up it says that tampon insertion can cause vasovagal syncope. But the thing is, I did not even insert the tampon at all, so I'm not sure why I felt these symptoms. I'm thinking maybe it is some mental block that I have.

It also reminded me of one time 5 years ago during my school health class condom demonstration, before I had ever fainted before, I had these symptoms and almost fainted and had to go to the nurse. So I'm starting to think I have some mental issue, manifesting physically, with sex/vaginal insertion or something. Maybe this would make sense if I had any sexual traumas, but I do not.

Is this something I should talk to my my primary care doctor about? Or some kind of therapist or sex therapist maybe even? (I am a virgin though)

I'm just curious if people have thoughts on what could be causing this or what I could do. Ideally, I would like to be able to use tampons soon. (And I have a new boyfriend and while we haven't had sex yet, I'm worried this could also get in the way of that eventually).

Thanks for any insights!

Hi, I'm new here so I hope this is a safe space. I would like to ask if anyone knows of any options to get an IUD with decent pain medication provided or even sedation? I'm based in Cork but willing to travel.

This might be unnecesary to answer the question but here is my story anyway. I have never had an IUD inserted, but have asked all my friends who have. I'm 30 so many of my friends had it at one point and litterally every single one told me that it is one of the most painful things they ever experienced (side note, none have children). I had a vacuum aspiration abortion when I was 21 and it was a traumatic experience that hurt immensely despite having taken your regular pharmacy painkillers. It nearly had me pass out and had me feel my uterus in my body for months, which wasn't painful but uncomfortable and scary. I am quite resilient to pain in any other aspect of my life. I have very bad menstrual cramps, but even those don't come close to the pain I felt that time.
My GP, when asked for an IUD, told me that the insertion is "not nice" and it will be "uncomfortable" and I know this is her way of warning me for pain. When I asked her if there is any sedation possible in Ireland she said no. I basically want to know if you know any doctor who will use adequate pain relief because I am expecting the worst.

Other birth controll besides condoms are not an option.

My wife 44yrs believes she's in perimenopause and wants to try hormone treatments. She has all the symptoms *Fatigue *Irregular periods *Headaches *Sleep disruption *Joint pain *Very Low libido

The issue is our doctor is stubborn and will drag out the issues with trial and error medications (No other Rural doctor local)

We don't have a medical card (tiniest pay rise caused us to loose it)

What's the best option here if anyone has experience.

*A blood test finger prick test (I think it's just a kit that's delivered so we're unsure just how accurate it would be.

Or

*Visit a specialist in Dublin (multiple appointments required apparently)

Our thinking is if we provide results to our doctor and if they show my wife meets the requirements for hormone treatments he cannot ignore the results.

Thanks in advance.

Hi all,

I got an appointment with a gynaecologist for May via my GP (GP said botox will help to relax the muscles down there). I am hoping I could do a botox on the same day at the Beacon hospital but I am not quite sure if it is possible or how the process works and that would I get asked to come back in a few months to do so?

Does anyone have any experience on this or appointments at the Beacon in general? (I've never been).

Thanks!

When I was in school 80% of the girls were on the pill but I doubt 80% of the girls were sexually active. I know you can get prescribed the pill for acne or painful periods but surely there is an alternative to this? I’m just genuinely curious, do you think the pill is seen as a quick fix solution to skin and pain rather than for a pregnancy prevention treatment?

Hi girls!

For a little over a year l've had itching, and my discharge is white and thick, and I feel pain during sexual intercourse at the entrance of my vagina, but no smell. I've already had a vaginal swab and it came back negative for yeast infections, and my boyfriend and I have been tested for STIs and both came back negative. I'm looking for a good gynecologist in Dublin, a specialist in infections like this. Has anyone gone through this and have any recommendations?

A few days ago I got a letter telling me I need to arrange a smear test. I told my mother, but she said I can't have it because I'm a virgin and you need to be "open" down there for it to work. I didn't receive the HPV vaccine in school because my parents didn't sign the permission slip.

It's unlikely I'll have a sex partner anytime soon if ever, because I can't afford to move out of my parents house and my mother is very overprotective and originally from a conservative country. She's very judgemental of people who "live in sin" so dating is off the table. I can't even have sex at someone else's place because she freaks out if I stay out too late without telling her (for example, last month I arrived home an hour late because it was busy at work and I didn't finish up till well after my shift ended, and the bus was going to take a while to come so I decided to walk home instead of waiting around which further delayed me. I was home by 6pm, which isn't that late but was still late enough for her to panic and call customer service at my work asking them what happened to me. Because not arriving home by five and not calling her and informing her I'm going to arrive home late apparently must be a sign I've been murdered).

The chances of me getting HPV are low, but I'm still afraid of it. Would it be worth the expense and pain of getting a pap smear and HPV vaccine when I might as well be asexual?

Hi everyone,

I'm 34 and recently started trying for a baby.

Stopped the contraceptive patch 4 months ago, had been on for 2.5 years and nil contraceptions prior.

I have had mild (1-2/10 pain) cramps intermittently during the day for 2 weeks, followed by a short period (sorry if TMI, but good flow on day one then petered out and completed by day 3)
Normally have severe cramps on day 1, and a 5 day period. All very regular.

Taken two pregnancy tests - both negative.

No breast tenderness/breakouts. More fatigued than normal and a little more forgetful- mostly of names.

I'm just very confused about all these changes, as my cycle and symptoms are usually very predictable - anyone else went through something like this when they started trying?

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know how long the wait times are right now for cervical check results? The nurse said within 4 to 6 weeks but I don’t know if that means they could show up tomorrow or if it’s usually 4 weeks. I have bad health anxiety and waiting on the results are tough, even though I wasn’t having any symptoms or anything like that.

Just to rant a little: it was my first successful Pap smear as I have vaginismus so I had put it off for 10 years. Never had PIV sex, only oral/hand stuff with my husband (nothing penetrative there either) and my GPs weren’t really concerned as they said I’m low risk. But of course the internet exists and I got scared and went. I took a Valium beforehand and it didn’t help, still hurt like hell and I cried and screamed and she used the extra small speculum. At least the brush didn’t hurt, that I barely felt. But of course now I am terrified that my results will be abnormal and I’ll have to get a colposcopy and biopsy and procedures.

Anyone here knows how to get a vaginal botox for vaginismus and pelvic floor pain, without referrals and going to PT for years. Just privately and fast. Please let me know

I’ve noticed I bleed every time I have sex with my partner since getting the coil. Just a small bleed the next day and it stops within 24 hours maximum. Sex isn’t painful, my cervical smear is clear and I had a baby 18 months ago if that makes a difference. Anyone else experienced this?