The Underlying Causes of Vaginal Itching

If you're suffering from vaginal itching, you should know that vaginal itching is less a condition in and of itself and is more a symptom of some other underlying cause, some of which can be fairly serious. While educating yourself about what these cause might be is important, the causes very so much in origin and treatment that you should always contact your OB/GYN or other well woman care provider in order to receive a proper diagnosis and proper treatment.

Following are some of the most common causes of vaginal itching.

Irritants

If the onset of your vaginal itching corresponds with the use of a new product that comes into contact with your most sensitive areas, you may be using a product that is irritating your skin. If you've starting using a new soap, laundry detergent or fabric softener, spermicidal or lubricant, you may be using a product that is irritating your vulva and vagina and thus causing itching. Don't use the product for a couple of weeks and see if the itching subsides. If you've been wearing synthetic fiber underwear, try wearing all cotton pairs, particularly if you engage in heavy physical activity. The pH of the vagina can be difficult to maintain and natural fibers and unscented, mild products are best choices for coming into contact with this sensitive area.

Yeast Infections

Burning and itching are the primary signs of a yeast infection. You may also notice that your discharge smells yeasty and is the consistency of curdled milk. Women often treat for yeast infections when they don't actually have one, which doesn't solve their problem and can make later actual yeast infections more resistant to over-the-counter medications used to treat them. If you suspect a yeast infection, you should make an appointment with your ob/gyn or other well woman provider.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Most all sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) cause vaginal itching, including Chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and HPV. Getting tested for STDs can help eliminate or illuminate STDs as the cause for your vaginal itching. If they are the cause, treatment can help alleviate your symptoms.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the natural bacteria of the vagina over-produce, resulting in itching and "smelly" vaginal discharge. While the name is a bit intimidating, bacterial vaginosis is fairly common and often goes away on its own even without treatment. Sometimes, however, the vaginosis may be particularly aggressive or advanced and require antibiotic treatment for the vagina's bacterial levels to return to normal.

Hormonal Changes

Changes in hormones, particularly during pregnancy and menopause, can cause vaginal itching. During pregnancy, excessive vaginal mucous production can cause itching. On the other hand, menopause causes the vagina to shut down the production of vaginal mucous, which can cause dryness and itching. In the case of menopause, estrogen in the form of an inserted ring is often used to relieve the problem.

As mentioned earlier, the reasons for vaginal itching vary so greatly and require such different treatment options that it is really the best idea for you to make an appointment with your well woman provider if you are experiencing prolonged problems with vaginal itching. If you suspect a new personal hygiene or laundry product to be the reason for your itching, try to stop using that product to see if the itching subsides. Your well woman care provider should assess all other suspected causes for vaginal itching so that you can get an accurate diagnosis and the quickest alleviation of your symptoms as possible.