There’s no denying that the vagina is a wondrous thing. However, if you’re dealing with some itchiness down under, you may feel otherwise about your reproductive organs.
Thankfully, there are many things you can do to soothe your vaginal itchiness — but first, you need to get to the root of the problem.
Interested in learning more? We can help.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about vaginal itching to uncover what causes it and how to ditch the itch.
What Are the Symptoms of Vaginal Itching?
Though referred to as “vaginal itching,” this term may also be used to describe any type of itching that occurs on or around the vulva (aka, the external portion of your genitals) as well.
And believe it or not, vaginal itching or itching on your vulva can occur even if you don’t have a vaginal infection.
Although symptoms may vary from person to person, an itchy vagina is often characterized by a tingling, burning, or stinging sensation surrounding the vaginal area. It can feel like a constant, extreme, or bothersome itch that can range from mild to severe and can come and go at any time.
Additional signs and symptoms can present depending on the cause of your itchy vagina. In some cases, you may also experience:
- Vaginal discharge
- Redness or swelling
- Tiny cracks on the skin of the vulva
- Pain during intercourse
- Scaly, thick, whitish patches on the vulva
- Light vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Painful urination
- Blisters on the vulva
What Are Some Common Causes of Vaginal Itching?
So, why does your vagina itch? Well, there are several reasons why women may experience itchiness down there, but some of the most common causes of vaginal itching include:
Irritation
Minor vaginal itching is often the result of using products that irritate the sensitive skin around the genitals. These products may include:
- Creams, lotions, or soaps — especially scented brands
- Latex condoms
- Menstrual pads or tampons
- Topical contraceptives
- Feminine sprays
- Ointments
- Detergents (particularly laundry detergent)
- Douches
- Certain materials in underwear
When exposing your vagina to the irritating chemicals found in these common products, you may trigger an allergic reaction — aka contact dermatitis — that causes an itchy rash. To ditch the itch, it may be as simple as ditching these products.
That said, if your vagina still itches after eliminating the offender in question, the itching could be due to something else, such as friction or chafing from skin folds, sexual activity, or even your undies.
It can be tough to determine the exact cause behind your itching, but once the culprit is identified and kicked to the curb, most cases of vaginal itching tend to go away on their own.
Yeast Infection
Yeast is a natural fungus that’s normally present in the vagina at certain levels. More often than not, it doesn’t cause any issues, but sometimes a specific type of yeast called candida can overgrow, resulting in a vaginal infection.
Also called vaginal candidiasis or vulvovaginal candidiasis, yeast infections affect up to three out of four women at some point in their lifetimes.
They are often accompanied by — you guessed it — vaginal itching. In addition to itching, symptoms of a yeast infection can include:
- Irritation in the vagina and vulva
- Redness and swelling of the vulva
- Vaginal rash
- Pain, tenderness, and soreness in the vagina and vulva
- Thick, off-white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance
- A burning sensation
- Watery or lumpy vaginal discharge
Yeast infections usually occur when something disrupts the delicate balance of bacteria in the vagina. That said, there are a number of things that can cause changes in the vagina’s environment, such as:
- Antibiotics, cortisone, and other drugs
- Diabetes
- A weak immune system
- Pregnancy
- Warm or humid conditions
- Typical changes in hormone levels (like during your time of the month or when breastfeeding)
Unlike a urinary tract infection (UTI) that typically requires a prescription, getting rid of a yeast infection really boils down to curbing your Candida overgrowth.
Not sure how? Try The Killer.
Developed by experts and designed to treat and prevent vaginal infections, these powerful boric acid suppositories balance pH and maintain healthy yeast levels, so you feel fresh and smell your best while being able to maintain healthy vaginal flora.*
Bacterial Vaginosis
Often referred to as simply “BV,” bacterial vaginosis is another common culprit that can cause your vagina to itch.
Like a yeast infection, BV can be triggered by a bacterial imbalance in the vagina and may produce abnormal discharge. Other signs of BV include:
- Foul-smelling “fishy” vaginal odor
- Burning during urination
- Thin, gray, off-white, or green vaginal discharge
If you suffer from bacterial vaginosis on the reg, we suggest adding a quality probiotic to your daily supplement line-up — such as Good Girl Probiotics.
Our shelf-stable vaginal probiotic is made with eight powerful strains (most probiotics only contain one) of beneficial bacteria to support vaginal health and the vaginal microbiome. In other words, it just might be what you need to keep the bacteria in your vagina in check and itch-free.*
Skin Conditions
If your itchiness is accompanied by redness, a scaly rash, or patches, you may have a skin condition, such as:
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Folliculitis
- Dermographism
- Seborrheic dermatitis
Severe itching around the vulva can indicate lichen planus or lichen sclerosis.
Think you might have a skin condition? Make an appointment with a dermatologist who can work with you to find the best treatment for relief.
STIs and STDs
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause your vaginal to itch. In some cases, additional symptoms may be present, such as abnormal growths, green or yellow vaginal discharge, and pain while urinating.
STIs and STDs that are notoriously known for itching include:
- Genital warts
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes
- Trichomoniasis
- Gonorrhea
If you suspect your itchiness is due to an STI or STD, make an appointment with your primary care provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Menopause
Thanks to fluctuating hormones, many women experience vaginal itching when going through menopause.
This is namely due to the reduction of estrogen, which often leads to vaginal atrophy — a condition where the tissues lining the inside of the vagina become thin and inflamed. Vaginal atrophy can also result in vaginal dryness, which often goes hand in hand with vaginal itchiness.
Although you can’t reverse the hands of time to avoid aging, there may be some remedies you can use to get rid of some of that vaginal itching and discomfort associated with menopause.
Make an appointment with your doctor to discover the best course of treatment for you.
Other Vaginal Itching Culprits
By now, we’ve covered some of the most common causes of vaginal itching — that said, a few honorable mentions that can cause your vagina to itch include:
- Stress
- Pubic lice
- Vulvar cancer
- Hormonal changes
- Allergies
- An upset vaginal pH balance
- Neuropathy (nerve damage)
Vaginal itching can also be brought on by wearing the wrong undies when dealing with especially sensitive skin. With that in mind, if you have a sensitive skin type, you may want to opt for cotton underwear that’s free from any dyes, chemicals, or preservatives.
A Final Word
There are a number of reasons why you may experience some itchiness in your nether regions — it could be due to a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, irritation, allergies, or even menopause. Vaginal itching may also be a symptom of an STI or STD.
That said, the most important thing to keep in mind, regardless of what’s causing your vaginal itch, is that there are solutions no matter what the root of the cause is.
If you’re struggling with an itchy vagina, talk to your doctor today and you just might be able to enjoy a more comfortable tomorrow.
At Love Wellness, we’re here to help you feel like your best self. Whether you’re dealing with bloating, zits, or itchy lady bits, you can always count on us to have your back with wellness solutions that are second to none.
Sources:
NCI Drug Dictionary | National Cancer Institute
Bacterial vaginosis - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic
Yeast infection (vaginal) - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic
Contact dermatitis - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic