{"id":30080,"date":"2022-04-20T21:53:20","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T21:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=30080"},"modified":"2022-12-20T04:38:02","modified_gmt":"2022-12-20T04:38:02","slug":"why-is-my-vagina-itchy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/why-is-my-vagina-itchy\/","title":{"rendered":"*This* Is What Causes Vaginal Itch, According to OB-GYNs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wondering what\u2019s causing your vaginal itching? There are several reasons why you may need to scratch down there. Below, OB-GYNs break down all of the reasons your vagina is itching.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

So, your vagina itches. Maybe it was so bad, you had <\/em>to scratch when shopping for produce at the grocery store, or have developed stealth tactics for scratching in public. If you\u2019re left wondering \u201cWhy is my vagina itchy?\u201d you are definitely not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cVaginal itching and irritation is very common,\u201d says San Diego-based board-certified OB-GYN Kelly Culwell, MD<\/a>. The itch can originate internally, as well as externally on the vulva, she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Itching is actually a sign of irritation, adds Sarah Yamaguchi, MD<\/a>, a board-certified OB-GYN with DTLA Gynecology in Los Angeles. \u201cMild pain is perceived by the brain as itching, so when the skin is irritated in that area, you will have itching,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

What is clear, though, is that even though it might not be an alarming symptom, an itch in or around your vagina is annoying at the very least\u2014but it can also be a sign that something more is going on, such as an infection or even an STD.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know about the causes, fixes, and how to support vaginal health to decrease the chance of asking \u201cwhy is my vagina itchy?\u201d ever again.<\/p>\n\n\n

What Causes Vaginal Itching<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"vaginal<\/figure>\n\n\n

There are so many different vaginal itching causes\u2014from the benign to the \u201cbetter get that checked out.\u201d Find out what\u2019s irritating you below:<\/p>\n\n\n

Damp Drawers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Your groin area has many sweat glands. Whether you\u2019re outside on a hot day or you\u2019re sitting in sweaty leggings after spin, the dampness can trigger irritation in the area, says Dr. Culwell. Same for hanging out in a wet bathing suit or wearing pads or period<\/a> undies for too long, all of which aren\u2019t very breathable.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

The Wrong Undies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Similarly, sporting undies with less vulva-friendly fabric can trigger scratching, too. Lace or synthetic materials are notorious for irritating the vulvar skin, Dr. Culwell says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Your Soap<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

\u201cVulva-area skin is just like any other skin, if you have contact with soaps or lotions that are irritating, you can develop itching,\u201d says Dr. Culwell. This is called contact irritation. It\u2019s not just soap in the shower to have on your radar, but laundry soap, too. Scented pads or panty liners also fall into this category.<\/p>\n\n\n

Hair Removal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Shaving, waxing, or laser hair removal can all cause the irritation that shows up as itching, says Dr. Yamaguchi. You\u2019ll likely feel this on the area outside and the labia majora (the outer lips).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Vaginal Infections<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis can also give you a case of the scratches. This may feel as if the inside and labia minora (inner lips) are itchy, Dr. Yamaguchi says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

An overgrowth of Candida <\/em>yeast causes a yeast infection<\/a>; symptoms include vaginal itching, pain while peeing, abnormal vaginal discharge<\/a>, and pain during intercourse.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Bacterial vaginosis<\/a> (BV), on the other hand, is an imbalance of the \u201cgood\u201d and \u201cbad\u201d bacteria, where there are more harmful bacteria present, leading to abnormal vaginal discharge, burning while peeing, and itching and irritation. Vaginal odor<\/a> is also common with BV.<\/p>\n\n\n

If the symptoms of the two conditions sound similar\u2014you\u2019re right. Unless you\u2019ve had one of these before, it can be tough to tell if you have a yeast infection or BV. If you fall into this camp, you\u2019ll want to see your doctor, who can help you distinguish between the two, as both are treated differently.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Herpes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Genital herpes<\/a> is a common sexually transmitted disease that often causes no symptoms, though you may see sores, red bumps, or white blisters, or experience pain or itching<\/a>. These symptoms can be treated with proper medication, which is why it\u2019s important to talk to your doctor if you think you might have herpes.<\/p>\n\n\n

Menopause<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Menopause<\/a> doesn\u2019t directly cause vaginal itching, but one symptom related to a decrease in estrogen that occurs during this time is vaginal dryness<\/a>. \u201cThat can cause some discomfort that some women describe as mild itching,\u201d Dr. Yamaguchi says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

First, know that this is rare, and you probably don\u2019t have cancer. That said, vulvar cancer and precancer<\/a> can cause itching that does not go away on an area of skin or bump or lump that is thicker, lighter\/darker, or red\/pink. Abnormal bleeding or discharge are other symptoms. Again, this is a rare type of cancer that makes up just 0.7 percent of total cancers<\/a> in women.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Still, knowing that this is possible is important. It\u2019s another reason to get to the doctor, especially if the itching doesn\u2019t go away or all your efforts to relieve the itch aren\u2019t working.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

How to Stop Vaginal Itching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"vaginal<\/figure>\n\n\n

Sometimes, vaginal itch will go away on its own, and that\u2019s totally fine. But if the itching is persistent, lasts more than a day, or is so severe that you can\u2019t control the urge to scratch or you\u2019re injuring yourself with your nails doing so, make an appointment with your gynecologist, says Dr. Culwell.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Other signs that something more might be going on is if the itching is accompanied by a change in vaginal discharge (in amount, color, or consistency) or odor, or if rashes or bumps are appearing, she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Addressing the underlying cause\u2014either by changing up certain lifestyle habits that may be contributing to the itch or treating an infection\u2014will help nip vaginal itch in the bud.<\/p>\n\n\n

If you have had yeast infections in the past and are confident that that\u2019s what you\u2019re dealing with again now, then Dr. Culwell says that you can go ahead and try an over-the-counter yeast infection treatment. \u201cHowever, we do know that many women misdiagnose themselves with yeast infections that are actually bacterial vaginosis or a contact irritation,\u201d she explains. For any questions about why your vagina is itchy, talk to your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n

For temporary relief when itching gets bad, Dr. Yamaguchi says you can apply an over-the-counter topical anti-itch cream like Vagisil, but that\u2019s only a temporary fix until you can get to the doc. \u201cThere is no way to tell from just the symptoms what the cause of itching is and even after we do an exam, we don\u2019t always get it right,\u201d says Dr. Yamaguchi.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Build Your Supplement Routine<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTake The HUM Quiz<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You can also take these steps to prevent a pesky itching vagina from popping up in the first place:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n