Untreated lichen sclerosus may lead to vaginal scarring, blistering, painful sex, and vulvar cancer. As you age, your estrogen levels decline. Nursing also causes estrogen levels to drop. Low estrogen may cause the lining of your vagina to thin and cause itching and irritation. Symptoms should resolve when you stop breast-feeding and estrogen levels increase again. These tiny, crab-like creatures cause intense itching in the vaginal and pubic areas.
They usually attach to pubic hair. They may also attach to other areas of the body that are covered in coarse hair. Pubic lice can be treated with an over-the-counter lice-killing lotion. Severe cases may require a topical prescription medication.
Vaginal itch is hard to ignore. But if possible, fight the urge to scratch. Scratching sensitive vaginal tissues may increase irritation and lead to infection. You should also see your doctor if the itching continues after using an over-the-counter yeast infection remedy.
Learn about potential causes of vaginal itch during your period, such as irritation, yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Rubbing very hard on your penis — whether during sex or masturbation — can create enough heat to burn and scrape off skin. This is called a friction…. It may spread to the vagina in some women with eczema.
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes scaly, itchy, red patches to form along the scalp and joints. At times, outbreaks of these symptoms can occur on the vagina as well. This infection is known as a vaginal yeast infection.
The infection often occurs after taking a course of antibiotics, as these types of medications can destroy good bacteria along with the bad bacteria. The good bacteria are needed to keep yeast growth in check. The overgrowth of yeast in the vagina can result in uncomfortable symptoms, including itching, burning, and lumpy discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis BV is another common reason for vaginal itching. Like a vaginal yeast infection, BV is triggered by an imbalance between naturally occurring good and bad bacteria in the vagina.
When symptoms do appear, they typically include vaginal itching and an abnormal, foul-smelling discharge. The discharge may be thin and dull gray or white. In some cases, it might also be foamy. Numerous STDs can be transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse and cause itching in the vagina. These include:. These conditions can also cause additional symptoms, including abnormal growths, green or yellow vaginal discharge, and pain while urinating. Women who are going through menopause or who have already done so are more at risk for vaginal itching.
This is due to the reduction of estrogen levels that occur during menopause, which leads to vaginal atrophy. This is a thinning of the mucosa that can lead to excessive dryness. It might occur when stress weakens your immune system, leaving you more prone to the infections that cause itching.
In rare cases, vaginal itching may be a symptom of vulvar cancer. It includes the inner and outer lips of the vagina, the clitoris, and the opening of the vagina. Vulvar cancer may not always cause symptoms. Use it very liberally. Emollients can also be used as a soap substitute. Some of the creamier emollients can be stored in the refrigerator to keep them cool.
If you are feeling particularly itchy, applying some cool emollient from the refrigerator on to the skin may be soothing. You can buy emollients at pharmacies, or obtain them on prescription. However, there is a slight word of caution.
Occasionally, some people become sensitised to various ingredients that are in some emollients. This can make itch worse. Aqueous cream is a commonly available unbranded emollient but the ingredients can vary between manufacturers, including the addition of perfume. Because of this, it is best used simply as a soap substitute and not as a moisturiser. Sensitivity to emollients is unusual, however; bland moisturisers without added perfumes do help symptoms in most cases.
Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants can also be very helpful, especially if the itch is on the inside as well as the outside. Try to avoid the itch-scratch cycle The itch-scratch cycle occurs when scratching causes more itching - which causes more scratching - which causes more itching - etc.
So, if you scratch, it may make the itch worse. Excessive scratching can also cause thickening of the skin - which then becomes even itchier.
Therefore, apart from any other treatment, try not to scratch if at all possible. Keep your nails cut short and don't wear nail varnish. Consider wearing cotton gloves at night to stop scratching in your sleep. Scratching may also damage the vulval skin and increase the risk of the skin becoming infected with germs bacteria.
An antihistamine medicine at bedtime may help if sleep is affected. Antihistamines do not have a great effect on the itch but some cause drowsiness for example, hydroxyzine.
This may help you to sleep. A doctor or pharmacist can advise on which antihistamines are sedating. Most of the time, when a cause can be found, the cause is treated and the itch improves. However, depending on what the cause is, treatment is sometimes prolonged or may need to be repeated.
Your doctor will advise on the best approach depending in your particular situation. It can be difficult to tell the difference between BV and a yeast infection. Learn more here. Healthcare professionals do not know the exact causes of BV, but some have linked sexual activity and douching to the condition.
Many females have BV without knowing it. This can be harmful if they become pregnant. If a woman has symptoms while pregnant or trying to become pregnant, they should see their doctor to find out the cause.
Learn more about BV and how to treat it here. Severe itching around the vulva can indicate lichen sclerosus or lichen planus. If a person suspects any of these skin conditions, they can work with their healthcare professional to find the best treatment strategies. STIs are a group of infections that a person can contract after having sexual contact with a person who has one.
It is important to seek treatment for STIs, as some can cause long-term problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease , infertility , or pregnancy complications. Women can also pass certain STIs to the baby during childbirth. Vulvar cancer causes symptoms such as persistent itching, burning, and bleeding. This type of cancer is rare, accounting for 0.
The American Cancer Society do not list vaginal itching as a symptom of vaginal cancer. Vulvar and vaginal itching are common and have many potential causes. In many cases, the itching is due to irritation from clothing, menstrual products, or fragrances. Avoiding these triggers can help prevent the itching. In other cases, fungal or bacterial infections may be the cause.
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