What Causes Vaginal Itching?

Vaginal itching is a problem that many women face at some point in their lives. The cause of itching affecting the vagina or vulva may be an allergic reaction of the body to the hygiene products used, as well as sexually transmitted infections.

Vaginal itching is sometimes short-lived and can go away on its own without any treatment. However, vaginal itching can sometimes last for a long time, may recur, and discharge may be seen along with itching. In this case, it is very important to go to the doctor and be examined.

You can read about the causes of vaginal itching, treatment methods and what you can do to prevent vaginal itching in this article.

Vaginal Itching Causes

The cause of itching in the vagina and vulva (external genitalia) is usually not caused by a serious problem. If the cause of itching is irritation or allergies caused by the hygiene products or underwear used, the problem usually disappears with the elimination of the factors that cause itching.

However, it is important to be aware that constant itching of the vagina and vulva is not healthy. Although the vagina is a self-cleaning organ, itching may occur and an increase in discharge may occur due to the deterioration of the balance of bacteria and fungi in the vagina.

Some of the factors that cause vaginal itching are as follows:

 - Fungal Infection: The most common cause of vaginal itching is yeast infection. A fungal infection causes symptoms such as burning and itching in and around the vagina. It is also possible for the vaginal discharge to become more dense in case of yeast infection.

Symptoms of a fungal infection are generally as follows:

 - Burning, redness and swelling in the vagina and vulva

 - Pain during sexual intercourse

 - Pain while urinating

Although a vaginal yeast infection can be easily treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams, it is important to see a doctor for infections that recur frequently or that do not go away with creams. In this way, you can learn the source of the problem and apply the treatment prepared by your doctor.

 - Bacterial Vaginosis: Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the balance of bacteria in the vagina is disturbed. In addition to itching, vaginal discharge with a fishy odor may be seen in bacterial vaginosis. Because bacterial vaginosis is a difficult infection to go away on its own, treatment may be required.

In addition to vaginal itching, bacterial vaginosis can cause symptoms such as:

 - Pain during sexual intercourse

 - Pain and burning in the vagina

 - Pain during urination

 - Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

In the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, antibiotics are used to bring the bacteria in the vagina back into balance. Your doctor may suggest that you supplement the treatment by consuming probiotic-rich foods or using probiotic supplements in addition to antibiotic therapy.

 - Estrogen Deficiency: It is normal for women to experience some changes in their bodies as they age. With the decrease in estrogen production during menopause or breastfeeding, the skin in the vagina may thin, causing itching, discharge, and other discomfort. Itching due to estrogen deficiency can be prevented by the use of lubricants or small doses of estrogen.

 - Sexually Transmitted Infections: Sexually transmitted infections can cause irritation and lead to itching, discharge and foul odor. Infections such as trichomonas, herpes and warts are infections that can cause itching in the vulva and vagina. If you think that the cause of your itching may be a sexually transmitted infection, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible and start receiving the necessary treatment.

 - Irritation: If you have itching in the vagina and vulva, but do not have symptoms of a fungal infection or bacterial vaginosis, the cause of your itching may be irritation of your skin. Some hygiene products can cause an allergic reaction and irritation on the skin, causing itching.

To understand what is causing the vaginal itching, you should review whether you are using a new hygiene product or underwear. You should take care to stay away from perfumed products and synthetic fabrics to reduce the risk of allergies and irritation.

 - Hygiene Habits: Not having the right hygiene habits can also cause itching. For example, itching may occur if the underwear is not changed after the genital area is moistened due to exercise or hot weather. In addition, since habits such as vaginal douching can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the vagina, not washing the vagina, cleaning only the outside with warm water and a gentle soap will help reduce your risk of getting an infection and itching.

What Is Good For Vaginal Itching?

How to treat vaginal itching will vary depending on the underlying problem. Therefore, if you have itching, it is important to go to the doctor and follow the treatment plan determined by your doctor.

Here are some things you can do to prevent recurrence of vaginal itching and support the health of the vagina:

 - Use unscented soaps and lotions.

 - Do not douche.

 - Change your underwear after activities such as exercise and swimming.

 - Perform wiping in the toilet from front to back.

 - Change your underwear daily.

When Should You Go To The Doctor?

Even if you think that the cause of your vaginal itching is an easily treatable problem such as a yeast infection, you should go to the doctor to review every possibility. It is very important to go to the doctor especially if your symptoms do not go away and constantly recur, and if there is a more serious problem, you can start treatment as soon as possible.

If you experience the following symptoms along with vaginal itching, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible:

 - Vaginal discharge, fever, redness and swelling around the genitals, pelvic or abdominal pain

 - Suspected sexually transmitted infection

 - worsening of symptoms

 - Symptoms persist for more than a week

In conclusion

Vaginal itching is not a symptom to be embarrassed or worried about. Although vaginal itching is not usually caused by a serious problem, it is important to see a doctor if itching persists for a long time and recurs. In this way, the problem causing itching can be treated and you can get rid of the discomforts you experience.