itchy vagina? Reasons for vaginal itching and how you can get relief

Some reasons for vaginal itching include:

synthetic clothing

Clothing made from synthetic (man-made) fibers such as polyester, rayon, and nylon do not allow the skin to “breathe.” Breathing in this context means air moving around the vaginal areas. These synthetic materials, especially when made into tight-fitting panties, can cause moisture to collect on the surface of the skin they cover. This moist skin rubbing against itself or clothing can cause itching and redness. Wearing underwear made from natural fibers like cotton can help keep your vaginal areas drier.

Chafing caused during sex

Many women experience itching in and around the vagina after intercourse, mainly due to chafing caused during intercourse. Chafing often occurs during sex when pubic hair rubs against sensitive genital skin. Waxing can help prevent this from happening.

Fungal infections of the vagina

Fungal infections, also known as candidiasis, Candida (thrush), or thrush, are a common cause of intense vaginal itching, redness, and pain. Signs of Candida include a white or yellowish “cottage cheese”-like discharge and a “cheese-like” odor. There are many products on the market, both natural pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter (OTC) products that can help reduce or eliminate this naturally occurring fungal microbe overgrowth. Candida albicans. If you are in doubt as to whether or not you have a yeast infection in the vagina, see your doctor for a diagnosis.

Bacterial and other infections of the vagina

Bacterial infections such as bacterial vaginosis and protozoan infections caused by a small parasite called vaginal trichomonas It can cause itching, as well as discharge with an unpleasant odor (fishy or like rotting meat) and pain. If you suspect you may have a bacterial or protozoal infection or don’t know what the problem might be, see your doctor; antibiotic treatment may be necessary.

sexually transmitted infections

STIs (sexually transmitted infections) can cause itching. Some examples of STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital herpes. If you suspect you may have an STI, see a doctor so that it can be properly diagnosed and treated.

How to relieve vaginal itching

There are a number of different types of vaginal itching relief products on the market, including:

Local anesthetic type creams

Local anesthetic creams numb the nerve endings around the vagina. These products have a chemical anesthetic such as benzocaine as the active ingredient. They are recommended for external vaginal use. When the effect of the local anesthetic wears off, the itching often returns because the creams do not contain any ingredients that help resolve the cause of the vaginal itching.

Antifungal pills, creams, and pessaries

Antifungal products work well if you know you have a yeast infection. Oral pills usually contain the antifungal chemical, fluconazole. However, fluconazole taken by mouth can affect the whole body and not just the vagina. The indiscriminate ‘whole body’ antifungal action can cause other microbes, such as bacteria, to proliferate in other parts of the body, as bacteria are generally kept in a state of natural balance by healthy competition from other microbes.

Antifungal creams and pessaries contain other “-azole” medications such as clotrimazole, miconazole, thiocinazole, and butoconazole. These pharmaceutical antifungal treatments can be effective for vaginal itching if the itching is caused by Candida microbes. These medications are ineffective for vaginal itching that is not the result of fungal infections. There can also be problems with antifungal drug treatments when Candida fungus microbes develop resistance to them. Antifungal medications are becoming ineffective for many women with frequent Candida infections.

Natural options to relieve vaginal itching

Shower with tea tree oil

Tea tree essential oil has been widely used in herbal medicine for the treatment of vaginal itching. Tea tree oil is naturally antifungal and antibacterial, helping to address the causes of vaginal itching and relieve the itching itself. If you plan to use tea tree oil as a douche, you should be careful to dilute the oil with water to avoid burning the delicate skin around and inside the vagina. Always test a small area of ​​skin on the outside of the vagina first before spraying the mixture inside the vaginal opening.

Yogurt

Always use the unflavored, unsweetened plain type of yogurt. Yogurt contains beneficial “lactobacillus” bacteria, “good bacteria” that can effectively compete with any “bad” microbes that may be causing your discomfort. Yogurt can be applied directly with clean fingers into the vagina. Eating yogurt, while beneficial, is not going to be directly effective!

Vinegar

Douching with diluted, unfiltered apple cider vinegar can help restore the correct acidity to the vagina. However, be careful to notice if the itchiness increases or decreases. A vagina that is too acidic is an environment where Candida fungus thrives.

epsom salts

Soaking in a sitz bath that contains Epsom salts can help reduce the acidity of the vagina. Be careful again to notice if the itchiness increases or decreases: bacteria love vaginas that aren’t acidic enough!