Vaginal Itching: 8 Reasons Why You Could Be Itchy Down There
Don’t ignore that itch. While it could be due to everyday issues like sweating, other reasons like a rare form of cancer can also be a culprit
By Balvinder Sandhu -
One of the most uncomfortable and embarrassing things women go through is having an itch ‘down there’. Most of us have been there – we’re in a meeting or out having a meal when our vagina gets itchy and there’s nothing we can do about it until we can politely excuse ourselves to the bathroom. Or perhaps vaginal itching is keeping you up at night and you’re getting really annoyed by the sleep disruption.
An itchy vagina is fairly common and there are several reasons why you could be suffering from it. Some are easily dealt with, some are just a part of life and some are symptoms of more sinister issues. For example, sweating could irritate your skin and make you itch. And having high stress levels could reduce your immunity and make you more susceptible to infections that cause itching.
Note that ‘vaginal itching’ is a general term used to refer to itching in a woman’s nether regions. It doesn’t always mean the itch is in your vagina; it’s actually commonly in the vulva, the outer part of your genital area.
It’s always best to visit a doctor for advice but here are eight reasons why your vagina is itchy and what you can do to make things better.
It’s normal to have yeast present in our vagina as it’s a naturally-occurring fungus. It only causes problems when there’s too much of it. And this happens often. In fact, nearly 75% of adult women will have a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime.
The fungus known as candida is responsible for yeast infections, also known as vaginal thrush. It could develop for no reason but there are some factors that increase its presence. These include pregnancy, use of certain medications such as antibiotics and oral contraceptives, poorly-controlled diabetes, a hormone imbalance or a weakened immune system.
If you’re suffering from a yeast infection, you’ll have a thick, whitish discharge which might smell ‘yeasty’ but it could also not have any smell. You’ll also have an itching and burning feeling.
Get anti-fungal vaginal pessaries and creams from a pharmacy to ease the itch. You could also ask for anti-fungal pills if you prefer this type of treatment. If your symptoms don’t go away or if you get more than four bouts of vaginal thrush in 12 months, see a doctor.
We hate to break the news to you but you can still get lice as an adult – just not where you had it as a child. Pubic lice – also known as crabs – is an infestation of extremely small bugs that make your genital area itch. The itching generally gets worse at night as the lice are more active then. You might also see tiny specks of blood in your underwear.
Pubic lice has nothing to do with hygiene. It’s commonly transmitted through sexual intercourse but there are other ways to get it. For example, it can be transmitted from sleeping on dirty sheets in a hotel or sharing clothing items like trousers or even towels with someone who has it. Despite what you might have been told, you cannot get pubic lice from sitting on a toilet seat.
Pubic lice can easily be treated with over-the-counter medications like lotions and shampoos. If you’re sexually active, make sure your partner gets treated too, whether they have symptoms or not. And, finally, shaving or waxing pubic hair will not get rid of lice, only the appropriate medications will fix this.
Itching could be the first sign of an STI although your symptoms may progress to more serious ones like painful urination and a smelly discharge if you have such an infection. Some of the STIs that have vaginal itching as a symptom include chlamydia, genital warts, herpes and gonorrhea. If you’re sexually active and think you might be at risk of an STI, speak to a doctor about getting tested.
If you shave your pubic hair and also have swollen, red skin with itchy bumps, it might be razor burn. Take a warm bath and use aloe-vera gel (externally only) to soothe the itch. Then wear loose-fitting clothing to let your skin breathe.
Remember to always moisturise your skin before and after shaving. Only shave in the direction of hair growth and use a shaving cream or gel. To prevent the possibility of bacterial growth, always store your razor in a dry place.
Everyday products you’re using could be causing the itchiness too. You could be having a reaction to the chemical irritants such as alcohol, dyes or fragrances and react to it – this is known as contact dermatitis.
Common products that cause this include soaps, shower gels, bubble baths, detergents, fabric softeners, scented toilet paper, scented pads and liners or feminine sprays. If you’ve got an itch after using a new product, it’s pretty clear what’s causing it. Switch products to see if it goes away, then visit a doctor if you can’t seem to shake it off.
Going through perimenopause or menopause could be the culprit. A drop in oestrogen levels during this phase could lead to vaginal dryness and itching. Over-the-counter medications are available to relieve this itch.
A change in hormones during pregnancy could also lead to itchiness – yeast infections are common in many pregnant women.
Redness and itching in the genital area could also be because of eczema and psoriasis. Eczema tends to appear in the crevices of arms and the groin area, as well as on the labia. And psoriasis can be on the skin around the vagina too.
If you already know you have these conditions, you’ll know how to treat them. If not, see a doctor to get the relevant medication.
First of all, this is a rare form of cancer. And it’s more likely to happen in women who have gone through menopause. But it does cause vaginal itching that doesn’t go away no matter what you do. You’ll also notice skin discolouration or thickening. Plus there’ll be bleeding and lumps. Visit a gynaecologist if your itching doesn’t go away.
This article was originally published on Her World.