So I have seen a gyno about this, who has referred me to a physio and am expecting a phone call on Thursday about it...but I'm impatient and just found this sub :)

So I've been with my boyfriend for 3 years, started with the classic sex every day/pretty frequently with no issues, and about a year or two ago I started getting thrush infections having never had them before and sporadic bleeding (thought it was my implant but suspect it was the thrush). At least a couple were confirmed by swabs at the doctors. Took quite a few pessaries over that time, tried the external creams even though they burned, told the docs all this who just told me to take more pessaries/cream and sex was becoming increasingly more painful (like a friction burn!)...fast forward to a pharmacist pretty much telling me off for not insisting my docs look into it (thanks to that guy!), got oral tablets which may have initially helped but then made symptoms worse and got referred to sexual health at the same time (earlier this year). By this time I couldn't have sex at all as it was too sore. They told me to come off the tablets after confirming the thrush was gone and did a patch test to check for any allergies (I also have mild eczema on my hand so wanted to check it wasn't contact dermatitis with anything) which came back fine except zinc. The gyno doctor took her swabs had a good look etc and they all came back fine with no sign of thrush (so think the tablets worked) but thinks the friction and soreness I am getting is my muscles tightening in anticipation of the pain. She's referred me to the physio who is ringing me on Thursday so am really hoping that will help.

I'm curious whats worked for you guys though? Have tried to browse past posts though cant think what to search, sorry brains not in gear today! I've tried so hard to talk myself through and consciously relax when we try and have sex, but the more I try the harder it is! Its so frustrating I usually just end up in tears killing the mood. My boyfriend is wonderful and not putting any pressure on but I feel bad we can't have sex like we used to and its really getting me down :( I'm not particularly patient too which isn't helping!

Oddly my vibrator tends to be okay, though I did try my menstrual cup the other day and it was sore trying to put it in but fine once it was in.