Vaginal itching: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is vaginal itching?

Vaginal itching is a condition that makes your intimate organs feel uncomfortable and you want to scratch them immediately. Sometimes, this condition is also accompanied by pain.

Vaginal itching is not always a sign of danger. However, this is usually a typical symptom that appears due to skin problems, disorders, or certain diseases, such as sexually transmitted diseases.

So, do not hesitate to immediately see a doctor when the itching is no longer normal and bearable.

Your doctor can determine what is causing your itching through certain examinations and tests. After that, then the doctor will recommend the right treatment according to the condition.

How common is this condition?

Vaginal itching is a very common condition and can affect all women at any age range. However, in general, this condition is more common in women who have passed puberty.

You can reduce itching by keeping your vagina clean and avoiding the things that cause it.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of vaginal itching?

Apart from vaginal itching, this skin problem is usually characterized by various symptoms such as:

Redness of vaginal skin
Lesions in the vagina
Pain and burning sensation
Swollen vagina
Abnormal vaginal discharge

Various symptoms of vaginal itching that appear are usually different for each woman. Therefore, you need to consult a doctor if you experience various other symptoms that are not mentioned.

When to see a doctor

It is better to go to the doctor immediately if the symptoms of vaginal itching are no longer normal. Itching that interferes with your activities or even sleep is a sign that you should see a doctor immediately.

If the itching doesn't go away for more than a week and is accompanied by other painful symptoms, don't wait to see a doctor.

Some other symptoms of vaginal itching that you need to be aware of include:

Ulcers or blisters on the vulva
Pain or tenderness in the pubic area
Redness or swelling in the genital area
Difficulty urinating
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Pain during sexual intercourse

Although some of the causes are not serious, there are several medical drugs that can be given to reduce vaginal itching.

Cause

What causes vaginal itching?

There are several factors that cause itching of the vagina and the area around it, such as:

Irritation

Exposure to certain chemicals in the vagina can trigger uncomfortable itching. The reason is, certain chemicals can trigger irritation of the vagina to cause an allergic reaction in the form of an itchy rash.

Various types of products that may trigger irritation include:

Bath soap
Spray for the genitals
Vaginal cleanser
Topical contraceptives
Creams and ointments for the vaginal area
Detergent
Fabric softener

Skin disease

Eczema and psoriasis are skin diseases that trigger vaginal redness and itching.

Eczema or also known as atopic dermatitis is a rash that appears with a scaly texture and a very intense itching sensation. Although they generally occur on the skin of the body, the symptoms can spread to the vagina.

Meanwhile, psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly, itchy patches to form along the scalp and joints. Sometimes, the symptoms of itching can also affect the skin area around the vagina.

Yeast infection

Yeast is a natural fungus that is usually present in the vagina. In sufficient quantities, yeast generally does not cause problems. However, when the growth is out of control, an infection can appear, one of the symptoms of which is itching.

Vaginal yeast infection generally occurs when a person is taking antibiotics. The reason is, antibiotics can destroy good and bad bacteria at once. In fact, good bacteria are needed to keep yeast growth under control.

When yeast overgrowth is excessive, the symptoms can be very uncomfortable. Vaginal itching, burning, and abnormal discharge are symptoms that often mark it.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis or vaginal bacterial infection is another condition that most commonly causes itching in a woman's intimate area. Like yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis is triggered by an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in the vagina.

This condition does not always cause symptoms. However, vaginal itching and an unpleasant smelling discharge are often the earliest symptoms.

Whitish signs of bacterial vaginosis appear gray or dull white. In some cases, vaginal discharge can also be foamy with a more fluid texture than usual.

Sexually transmitted disease

There are many types of sexually transmitted diseases that can cause vaginal itching. These diseases are transmitted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. The habit of changing sex partners and having sex without a condom can increase the risk of this disease.

Some sexually transmitted diseases that usually cause vaginal itching include:

Chlamydia
Genital warts
Trichomoniasis
Gonorrhea (gonorrhea)
Genital herpes

Apart from vaginal itching, this disease is almost certainly accompanied by a variety of additional symptoms such as green or yellow discharge, pain when urinating, to the appearance of skin lesions.

Menopause

Women going through menopause may experience unbearable itching in the vaginal area. This is because reduced levels of estrogen in the body can trigger a condition known as vaginal atrophy.

Vaginal atrophy is thinning of the mucosa or mucous membranes in the vagina causing excessive dryness. When this happens, vaginal itching and irritation cannot be avoided. This condition generally affects women aged 50 years and over.

Stress

Stress not only makes it difficult for your mind to focus but also affects your physical condition. Reporting fromAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, stress can weaken the immune system.

This makes you more susceptible to vaginal bacterial infections, leading to itching. Therefore, avoiding stress is one effective way to maintain the health of your intimate organs.

Vulvar cancer

In rare cases, vulvar cancer can cause vaginal itching. This cancer develops in the vulva area, which is the outermost part of the vagina. These outer areas include the inner and outer lips of the vagina, clitoris, and vaginal openings.

Vulvar cancer may not always cause symptoms. However, when symptoms appear, they are characterized by vaginal itching, bleeding outside the menstrual cycle, and pain around the vulva.

Of course, this condition can be completely cured as long as it is diagnosed and given treatment from the very beginning. Therefore, do not underestimate the annual medical check-up as this procedure helps to diagnose the disease early to prevent its severity.

Risk factors

What puts me at risk for this condition?

All women can experience vaginal itching. However, the following things can increase your risk of vaginal itching:

Using fragrant feminine care products
Using damp pants for a long time
To do douching (cleaning the vagina with special chemicals)
Are taking antibiotics
Pay less attention to vaginal hygiene
Frequently changing sex partners but not using condoms

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do doctors diagnose this condition?

When you get checked out, your doctor will make a diagnosis based on several considerations. First, the doctor will ask about the symptoms that appear including how severe and how long the vaginal itching has been going on.

In addition, the doctor will also ask about sexual activity that you are undergoing. This information is very helpful for doctors to analyze whether the itching you feel is related to sexually transmitted diseases or not.

If needed, the doctor may also perform a pelvic exam. During this procedure the doctor will visually examine the vulva and use a speculum to see the inside of the vagina. In addition, the doctor will also examine the cervix and other reproductive organs to find the exact cause.

Taking a skin tissue sample from the vulva or a sample of vaginal fluid can also be done so that the analysis results are more valid. If it's still lacking, blood tests and urine tests can also be done.

What are the treatment options for vaginal itching?

Because the causes of vaginal itching are different, the automatic treatment will be different. In order not to take the wrong steps, here are the guidelines for treating vaginal itching based on the cause:

Irritation

Vaginal itching due to irritation of certain chemical products often goes away on its own without needing treatment. You just need to avoid using the product that triggers the irritation.

For irritation that is quite bothersome, doctors also usually prescribe steroid lotions or creams to reduce inflammation and discomfort you feel.

However, make sure not to overuse it as this cream can make the skin experience thinning.

Skin disease

Vaginal itching caused due to certain skin diseases has a variety of treatments depending on the cause.

If the cause is eczema, the doctor will give you a corticosteroid cream or ointment to help reduce itching and improve the appearance of the skin.

In addition, the doctor will also provide drugs used to fight infection. An antibiotic cream will usually be prescribed if you have a bacterial infection, open wound, or cracked wound.

Meanwhile, to control severe inflammation, the doctor will give you drinking corticosteroids, such as prednisone. These drugs are quite effective but cannot be used long term.

On the other hand, if the vaginal itching is caused by psoriasis the doctor will give a different type of medicine. Topical corticosteroids are the type of medication most often prescribed to treat mild to moderate psoriasis. This drug can reduce inflammation and itching.

In addition to topical corticosteroids, doctors also often prescribe vitamin D, anthralin, topical retinoids, and calcineurin inhibitors. Do not forget that you are also advised to use a moisturizer.

Yeast infection

In conditions of vaginal itching due to simple infections, doctors will generally prescribe creams, ointments, tablets, or suppositories. The choice of antifungal drugs, namely:

Butoconazole (Gynazole)
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
Miconazole (Monistat)
Terconazole (Terazol)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)

You also need to regularly consult a doctor if symptoms recur within two months. For severe cases of infection, the doctor will provide a different treatment plan. Usually this condition is characterized by symptoms such as:

Has severe redness, swelling, and itching that causes a tear in the vaginal tissue
Have had more than four infections a year
Having infections caused by Candida other than Candida albicans
Is pregnant
Have uncontrolled diabetes
Have a weak immune system due to disease or medication

To treat a severe yeast infection, the doctor will provide treatments such as:

Cream, ointment, tablet or suppository for 14 days
Drinking antifungal drugs (fluconazole) as much as 2 to 3 doses
Long-term fluconazole that is taken by mouth once a week for 6 weeks

Bacterial vaginosis

Vaginal itching due to bacterial vaginosis is best treated by antibiotics. The antibiotics that are usually prescribed by doctors are:

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

This antibiotic is available in pill or gel form that is applied directly into the vagina. Metronidazole is most effective in suppressing bacterial growth. However, this drug also has side effects such as dizziness, headaches, stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea.

Tinidazole (Tindamax)

This drug also functions to inhibit bacterial growth in the vagina. Tinidazole is usually in the form of a cream which can also be applied thinly to the vagina.

Clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindesse, etc.)

Just like the two previous variants, clindamycin is available in cream form. Don't have sex right away when you stop using the cream. Clindamycin cream can damage condom rubber. You can have sex for at least three days after you stop using it.

The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics, make sure you drink them completely even if the symptoms have disappeared. Follow the doctor's recommendations so that treatment runs optimally.

Sexually transmitted disease

For vaginal itching due to sexually transmitted diseases, doctors will usually treat the disease with antibiotics, antivirals, or antiparasites. The type of drug and the dosage are adjusted according to the type of disease. You also need to take medication regularly as prescribed.

Do not stop treatment even if the symptoms, including vaginal itching, are no longer felt. Stopping treatment halfway through can cause the infection to come back at a later date with more severe symptoms.

Menopause

Menopause is not a disease so it doesn't need to be cured. However, to relieve annoying itching caused by a vagina that is no longer properly lubricated, the doctor will provide several treatments.

Estrogen hormone therapy is a procedure that can be done to help relieve symptoms that appear in menopausal women. There are many choices of estrogens ranging from creams, tablets, or suppositories.

In general, hormone therapy that is applied directly to the vagina is not as effective as that used by drinking.

Stress

Relieving stress actually does not need to use drugs. Just do things that please the heart and stimulate the hormone oxytocin to come out.

Exercising, hanging out with family and friends, as well as doing meditation can be powerful ways to relieve stress that are worth a try.

However, if the stress does not go away even though you have done these things, it is better to ask for help from a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Vulvar cancer

For vaginal itching due to vulvar cancer, treatment is adjusted according to the severity of the disease. Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, there are three treatment procedures that are most often used, namely surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The doctor will choose the treatment according to the degree of cancer and your body condition.

Home remedies

What are the lifestyle changes to prevent vaginal itching?

Home remedies help with vaginal itching either with or without doctor's medication. In fact, this method can also help you prevent this problem from recurring.

A combination of doctor and home treatments can help speed recovery. Here are some tips that you can try to put into practice, namely: