Hi Aunt Vadge,
I’m experiencing some pain after my boyfriend fingers me. The pain started recently and we’re really not sure why, since we’ve been doing the same thing for months now. It’s like a tingling/burning sensation that lasts for like 15 minutes tops.
I did my own research, but no one really seems to be in my situation, I’m still a virgin but this isn’t the first time he’s fingered me.
The other day he went very slow ‘n gentle but it still hurt afterwards. And according to him, I’m soaked, so I don’t think it’s from rubbing it when it’s dry. He also trims his nails until his fingers are like nubs. The most I can come up with is that his hands might be dirty but this wasn’t a problem before.
I also sort of had a urine infection about a month ago, but everything is pretty okay now. I even go so far as wetting toilet paper in the sink to wipe after I pee.
Please help! He’s more worried than I am and wants to stop but I don’t want him to… what could be the reason?
Thank you,
Tingly Fingers
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Dear Tingly Fingers,
Thank you for your letter. You sound like you have been doing some good research on the problem, which is great to see. It is also great to hear that your boyfriend is being careful with your body.
You might still have some lingering bacteria from your urinary tract infection in your vagina, so I would recommend getting a comprehensive vaginal microbiome report and seeing what your vaginal flora looks like.
Some bacteria cause inflammation, so if your boyfriend’s fingering disturbed your slightly inflamed cells, and the bacteria, it could result in tingling and burning.
The tingling and burning could come from the lactic acid from your healthy lactobacilli species (which produce lactic acid) entering into an inflamed cell, like lemon juice in a cut. It could also be perhaps a yeast infection leftover from the antibiotics.
Either way, you might benefit from a probiotic targeted at vaginal flora, which contains specific strains that you want to colonise your vagina. Lactobacilli species are very protective and help keep pathogens out of your vagina and urinary tract.
Your vaginal flora matters here, so invest in a good probiotic and do one jar of oral doses. You don’t need to be on probiotics every day forever, so just do a course, and then stop and see where you’re at.
If you are still experiencing symptoms, get yourself a test and go from there. For test interpretation, you can also book in with one of My Vagina’s microbiome experts and get personalised help and treatments.
Sincerely,
Aunt Vadge
