What is Vaginal Itching?
Vaginal itching is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful sign and symptom often due to irritating substances, infections, or menopause. It is the most common problem many women experience. In rare cases, it might develop due to stress or vulvar cancer. Vaginal itching also appears due to certain skin disorders or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Types of Vaginal Itching
However, health professionals refer to the various conditions that cause an infection or inflammation of the vagina as “vaginitis.”The most common types of vaginal itching are:-
- Bacterial vaginosis is an inflammation of the vagina due to an overgrowth of bacteria.
- Yeast infection is an overgrowth of the fungus candida, typically found in small amounts in the vagina.
- Chlamydia is the most common (STI) infection in women, usually between 18 to 35, with multiple sex partners.
- Gonorrhea: It is another kind of infection that spreads through sex. Gonorrhea often comes along with chlamydia.
- Trichomoniasis: It is another common infection that also spreads through sex. Trichomoniasis raises your risk for other STIs.
Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Itching
Vaginal itching is a possible symptom that may signify something is occurring with your genital area. Some signs and symptoms of itching can involve the vagina or the genital area called the vulva.
Causes and risk factors of Vaginal Itching
However, the most common causes of vaginal itching may include:-
- Some infections like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis
- Irritating reactions from clothing, detergents, soaps, creams, condoms, and more
- Hormonal levels change due to the transition to menopause
- Diabetes problems
- Public ice
- Skin problems, like psoriasis and lichen sclerosis
- In rare cases, cancer of the vulva
How is Vaginal Itching diagnosed?
During this period, the health consultant may examine the genital area and ask about symptoms. On this basis, the consultant is typically able to determine what is causing the vaginal itching.
Treatment and medication options for Vaginal Itching
However, treatment and medication options for vaginal itching depend on the cause and may include the following.
Medication options
- Some corticosteroid creams, like hydrocortisone or clobetasol for lichen sclerosus
- Antibiotics for sexually transmitted diseases, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis
- Antifungal cream or suppository, like miconazole, clotrimazole, butoconazole or triconazole, or antifungal medications, like fluconazole (diflucan) for yeast infections
- Estrogen for vaginal itching caused by hormonal changes
- Antihistamine is to relieve irritation or allergic reaction
Prevention of Vaginal Itching
However, some prevention techniques for vaginal itching may include:-
- Always keep your genital area clean and dry
- Wear comfortable clothes, cotton underwear for the day, and no underwear while sleeping to help your vagina “breathe.”
- Refrain from using soap, and rinse the area with clean water instead
- Soak in a warm bath
- Avoid douches because douches eliminate healthy bacteria that help fight infections.
- Do not apply hygiene sprays or chemical powders near the genital area
- Use pads instead of tampons if you have these infections
- Wipe from front to back when using the restroom
- Maintain your blood glucose under control if you have diabetes problems
Complications of Vaginal Itching
However, few complications can develop when vaginal itching is present, including the following:-
- If vaginal itching is caused by trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis, these conditions may increase the risk of acquiring STIs because they cause inflammation.
- The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis while pregnant have been linked to premature deliveries and low birth weight.
- Crude lichen sclerosis can cause scarring and increase the risk of cancer of the vulva.
- When gonorrhea is left crude, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- When chlamydia is left crude, it can cause ectopic pregnancy in women.
