Vaginal itching can be a very embarrassing and annoying issue.
While it’s common and nonthreatening for most women, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem. Almost every woman experiences vaginal itching, so if you’re dealing with it, you can rest easy that it’s likely not a cause for concern.
Even so, you don’t have to suffer silently.
Finding the underlying cause of vaginal itching usually requires some trial and error. If you’re just dealing with irritated skin, the solution can be as simple as changing your laundry detergent or body wash, but the solutions get more complicated from there.
Some other common causes of vaginal itching include:
- Dryness due to menopause (or other hormonal changes) – During menopause, the amount of estrogen in your body decreases. One of the main functions of estrogen is lubrication, so vaginal dryness is a very common issue among menopausal women. If this is the cause, your doctor may prescribe estrogen cream to provide needed lubrication and relief.
- Side effect of medication – Certain medications can cause dryness in your vaginal area. If you’ve recently changed medications and are struggling with vaginal itching, you may want to talk with your doctor about this possible side effect.
- STIs – Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea, genital herpes and chlamydia can also cause vaginal itching. These STIs can cause other issues too, so if you’re experiencing additional symptoms like abnormal vaginal discharge or painful urination, talk to your doctor right away.
- Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis – Both of these issues are the result of an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in your vagina. They are both common among women and can easily be treated. One of the main symptoms of both yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis is vaginal itching.
If you’re dealing with vaginal itching and are unsure of the cause, do not hesitate to talk to your women’s physician. There is usually an easy fix which can provide huge relief.
If you live in the Gainesville or Lake City area, the physicians and staff at All About Women would love to talk through any women’s health issues or questions that you may have and help you find solutions.
For further reading: Identifying and Treatment of Vaginal Atrophy
