This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
Vaginal itchiness is a common experience amongst many women. Several causes result in an itchy vagina. Some cases of vaginal itchiness are simple, while others may require medical treatment. Dr. Barb, board-certified OB/GYN, is here to answer a few questions to ease your mind.
Q1. What causes vaginal itchiness?
A: There are many itchy vagina causes. Most of the time, itchy labia or vagina are not a cause for concern. From my experience as an OBGYN, the primary causes of external vaginal itching derived from skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or chemical irritants found in scented soaps and body washes. Internal vaginal itching (vaginal canal) can stem from bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, sexually transmitted infections, allergies, or other causes. The way you treat an itchy vagina will depend on the source.
Q2. What can I do to treat vaginal itchiness without medical intervention?
A: There are many ways to alleviate mild cases of vaginal itchiness without medical intervention. Here are my itchy vagina treatment recommendations:
Probiotic supplements
Probiotics help increase the bacteria that keeps the vagina healthy and maintains its acidic pH balance. The Kushae Boric Acid & Aloe Suppositories contain probiotics and are taken vaginally for the ultimate and effective treatment. If you are dealing with vaginal itching from yeast or bacterial vaginosis infections, the Kushae boric capsule will alleviate your symptoms quickly and gently.
Probiotic food
Using probiotics is a great way to increase the bacteria that helps the vaginal environment and gut thrive. Some great probiotic foods include but are not limited to plain Greek yogurt, miso, kimchi, and kombucha.
Yeast infection cream
If you know the cause of your vaginal itching stems from a yeast infection, try out a yeast infection cream. There are also creams for yeast infections in the vulva. Make sure to get the yeast infection cream in the right place.
Practice good hygiene
Your vagina is a self-cleaning organ and does so through mucus discharge, for example, vaginal discharge and menstruation. Cleansing your vulva and other external parts such as the labia majora, labia minora, and clitoral hood can help prevent itching. Douching (cleaning the internal vaginal canal), using scented soaps, and body washes can lead to or worsen an itchy vagina. Besides practicing good hygiene, taking a hot bath can soothe the itchiness and provide much-needed comfort and relaxation.
Hydrocortisone cream
These creams are intended for skin irritation and are safe to apply on external vaginal itching, such as itchy labia. Do not insert hydrocortisone into the vaginal canal; this may cause severe irritation and inflammation.
Hormone therapy
Sometimes, hormonal issues include dry vagina and vaginal itching. If lack of estrogen is determined to be the cause, a doctor may prescribe estrogen therapy treatments to alleviate the symptoms.
Cooling therapy
If you are scratching where it itches, you may start getting irritation and scratches. Using an ice pack or cooling pad can help soothe and calm down the itching. To safely do so without creating more vaginal irritation, use a towel and then apply the ice pack or cooling pad.
Wear cotton underwear
Cotton underwear makes the best undergarments because they are breathable and provide the most comfort. Other fabrics can lead to irritation and itching. Try switching to cotton undies and see if that makes a difference.
Alternative pubic hair removal
Shaving or plucking pubic hair may lead to vaginal itching. Try out different hair removal methods, for example, waxing or laser hair removal, to figure out which hair removal method is best. If all hair removal methods cause itching and irritation, try the trimming method and leave the hair very short.
Baking soda bath
Several scientific studies have shown baking soda has several benefits. Soaking in a baking soda bath works for yeast infections - it can help relieve and potentially treat them. It can also soothe itchy and dry skin and is safe to use for vulvar itches
Q3. Should I worry about recurrent vaginal itchiness?
If you continuously deal with vaginal itchiness and have not figured out the cause. I recommend going to your OBGYN to do a full inspection to understand what the diagnosis may be. Ladies, the last thing you want to do is make the situation worse. Do not treat this on your own and potentially end up with an infection. If you have itching in your vagina or vulva and are worried, contact your physician about what remedies to try. Take precautions and safely try any of these ten at-home remedies to see which one works best for you.
