Very personal, desperate for advice!

[mharvey90]

Hey ladies. In the past few weeks my symptoms have gotten out of control. Diarrhea 20+ times a day and intense pain/swelling/inflammation in the anal area. I also have this strange symptom (3rd time this has ever happened to me, other 2 times were both during flares)- I would describe it as "labial hypertrophy" (another user in this forum posted about it too, I am awaiting her private message reply). I have read some articles about some women with crohns experiencing this as well. Basically it is painless swelling (inflammation and thickening) of just one of the outer labia. I saw my OBGYN and she seemed to have no idea what it is and told me to ask my GI (who I see next week) so in the meantime.....has anybody else experienced this? I've been soaking in hot baths and using hydrocortisone. Help!

 

[Rebecca85]

OK, this had me intrigued as I remember experiencing something similar when I was younger, except mine was inner labia. A quick google found this article. It suggests that the swelling is a Crohn's symptom and so treating the Crohn's is the best way forward.

By the way, after reading the article I don't think my symptom was the same thing at all

 

[Jennifer]

I've experienced minor swelling in the labia (outer I guess, didn't really inspect it cause it wasn't extreme) during sexual intercourse (arousal) and during my menstrual cycle. Although I think that's normal swelling really so I guess I'm no help. Let us know what your GI suspects.