Vaginal itching: causes, diagnosis and treatment

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Redness of the vagina, the desire to “scratch” between the legs, discomfort when urinating - these symptoms often occur in many girls of different age groups. When faced with these sensations for the first time in her life, a woman almost always experiences stress, since this is often associated with something indecent, usually with “bad diseases.”

No one will argue that this is an unpleasant specific sensation. It is difficult to meet women who have not encountered this unpleasant feeling at least once in their lives. Every year, about 10% of patients consult gynecologists whose leading complaint is burning and itching in the intimate area. In girls, vaginal itching can be due to physiological reasons, appear and disappear on its own before menstruation and do not require drug treatment. So, sometimes, to overcome unpleasant sensations in the genital area, it is enough to resort to simple rules of personal hygiene, change your diet, and give up tight underwear, especially synthetic ones.

Symptoms of genital itching

• Vaginal itching causes a strong desire to scratch the disturbing area. Sometimes the itching also spreads to the labia minora and labia majora, thereby causing even greater suffering.
• This unpleasant phenomenon is accompanied by redness and swelling of the external genitalia.
• Scratching leads to abrasions and scratches, into which a secondary bacterial infection penetrates, causing the formation of ulcers and cracks. There are cases when itching in the vagina extends to the anal area, and such itching is diagnosed as anogenital.

Allergy

A hypersensitivity reaction to external factors is one of the most common causes of itchy skin. Sometimes a woman’s genitals can also itch due to allergies.

Allergic irritation of the genital organs can be caused by the following substances:

• hygiene products – soap, shower gels, intimate hygiene products;
• underwear washing products;
• synthetic clothing fabrics;
• tampons, pads, condoms;
• intimate lubricants, sexual accessories;
• medications (in particular antibiotics);
• some food ingredients;
• house dust, dirt.

When treating allergies, the doctor’s main task is to identify the allergen and eliminate the body’s contact with it. Antiallergic drugs are also prescribed.

Why does this problem occur: causes of vaginal itching

External factors include:

• uncomfortable clothescausing excessive friction, underwear made of synthetic fabric that does not allow air to pass through and does not absorb secretions, personal hygiene products. Remember that to maintain normal flora and prevent vaginal itching, you need to wear cotton underwear or underwear with a gusset made from natural fabrics, change pads and tampons at least once every four to six hours, regardless of the amount of discharge.
  Synthetic materials create a “greenhouse effect”, which is an excellent environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

  The same environment is provided by menstrual flow;

• failure to comply with intimate hygiene rules . It is necessary to wash the genitals daily, and you can use various gels and soaps no more than once or twice a day, since they dry out the delicate skin and mucous membranes. When treating vaginal itching, washing too frequently can make the itching worse. It is not recommended to use deodorants for the vagina, as they disrupt the natural microflora and their effect is short-lived. On long trips and hikes, use special wipes for intimate hygiene. Don't forget to change your linen daily;
• allergic reactions . Slight vaginal itching may occur due to mechanical effects (for example, friction with underwear), due to chemical effects (lubricant, intimate hygiene gel, lubricant). Many women are allergic to contraceptives - creams, pills, suppositories, latex, spermicidal lubricant of condoms.

Among the internal factors, the most common ones include:

• venereal diseases such as trichomoniasis, gardnerellosis, genital herpes, candidiasis, saprophytic vaginosis. Intestinal dysbiosis sometimes leads to such diseases;
• weakening of general or local immunity . Due to the disruption of the natural composition of the vaginal microflora, pathogenic fungi and bacteria multiply. In this case, the itching in the vagina is accompanied by discharge with an unpleasant odor and a burning sensation during urination. In such situations, treatment of itching is mainly aimed at boosting immunity and restoring microflora. However, taking any medications on your own is not recommended;
• Often itching of the genitals occurs due to stress or excessive emotional disturbances , mental and physical stress. Psychogenic factors and women's reactions to them are individual and sometimes unpredictable;
• itching can be a reaction to serious diseases such as blood diseases, hepatitis, ovarian dysfunction, renal failure, diabetes mellitus, atrophy of the vaginal walls, hyperprolactinemia.

To determine the exact cause of itching, it is necessary to undergo an examination and undergo appropriate tests.

Expert opinion

Hormonally-related causes of vaginal itching deserve special attention. This condition is a common companion for pregnant and lactating women, as well as women during premenopause and menopause. In addition, vaginal itching and dryness may be present if the patient has diseases of the endocrine system that are not directly related to the genitals (for example, diabetes and thyroid diseases).

Obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest category Oksana Anatolyevna Gartleb

Itching in the vagina - how to cure?

Gynecologists in Kazan use the following methods of treating gynecological diseases:

• Drug treatment . Prescribed in accordance with test results.
• Local treatment . Sanitation of the vagina followed by application of a tampon with a medicinal drug, incl. Ultrasonic sanitation with the Gineton apparatus.
• Physiotherapy . Modern Androgyn and Mustang equipment is used, which are successfully used in the complex treatment of inflammatory diseases, hormonal disorders, as well as recovery in the postoperative period.
• Pharmacopuncture . Introduction to acupuncture points of medicinal substances that are indicated for various diseases (inflammatory, hormonal disorders, etc.).
• Ozone therapy
  . Intravaginal and intravenous administration of drugs enriched with ozone contributes to the development of a powerful antioxidant effect, which can successfully cure inflammatory diseases, improve the immune system and reactive capabilities of the body.
• Hirudotherapy . Widely used in the treatment of diseases such as endometriosis of the uterus and ovaries, inflammatory diseases, hormonal dysfunctions, infertility, etc.

Treatment for vaginal itching

Correct treatment of the genital organs can only be prescribed by a gynecologist after an examination, so taking any medications on your own is highly not recommended. Incorrectly selected medications can only worsen the situation.

But before you see your doctor, you can relieve the itching by doing the following:

• following a hypoallergenic diet: cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy products. Try to exclude spicy, pickled and spicy foods;
• Wash your genitals as often as possible, but without using detergents. You can add furatsilin to the water, but not potassium permanganate, which can dry out the mucous membrane. Talc and baby powders also help;
• Avoid long stays in stuffy rooms and in the heat, serious physical activity is contraindicated, and sexual activity is undesirable.

Washing gels for intimate hygiene "Ginocomfort" are recommended for daily use, including during menstruation, during pregnancy and after childbirth. These products were developed by specialists from the pharmaceutical company VERTEX from ingredients that are safe for health and have a full list of necessary documents and certificates. Gels provide a feeling of cleanliness and comfort throughout the day.

If the itching does not go away within three days, you should immediately consult a specialist.

Prognosis and prevention

To completely cure vaginal candidiasis, it is necessary to both consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow all his recommendations. Antifungal drugs are sold in pharmacies without a prescription, but DIY in this case is not only ineffective, but also dangerous. Only a specialist can correctly select the necessary medications, determine the characteristics of their use, and also monitor the effect of the medications.

It is important to understand that it is much easier to prevent vaginal candidiasis than to treat it. To minimize the risk of developing the disease, you must adhere to the following rules:

• give preference to cotton underwear;
• stop using panty liners;
• use specialized products for genital hygiene;
• do not use douching without a doctor’s prescription;
• monitor the condition of the body, promptly treat pathologies of the genitourinary and digestive systems, endocrine glands;
• avoid casual sex and infection with sexually transmitted diseases;
• do not use antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription and do not change the dose and regimen without permission;
• if long-term antibiotic therapy is necessary, take antifungal agents.

Vaginal candidiasis is an unpleasant disease that can be prevented and, if necessary, quickly cured. The main thing is to consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow all his recommendations.

Itching in intimate areas, video

is not responsible for the accuracy of the information presented in this video clip.
Source - KVD - dermatovenerological dispensary Sources:

1. FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF TREATING BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS. Gabdullina L. R., Vorobyova E. P. // Bulletin of modern clinical medicine. – 2012. – No. 1. – P. 40-42.
2. COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF ESTROGEN-DEPENDENT UROGENITAL DISORDERS: CLINICAL ASPECTS AND PHARMACOECONOMIC ANALYSIS. Ledina A.V., Kulikov A.Yu. // Pharmacoeconomics. Modern pharmacoeconomics and pharmacoepidemiology. – 2009. – No. 1. – P. 13-18.
3. Bacterial vaginosis: clinical features, diagnosis and treatment / A.S. Ankirskaya, V.N. Prilepskaya, G.R. Bayramova, V.V. Muravyova // Russian Medical Journal. - 1998. - T. 6, No. 5. - P.276-282.
4. Disturbance of vaginal microbiocenosis, ways of its correction. V.N. Prilepskaya, G.R. Bayramova // Gynecology. - 2007. - T. 9, No. 4. - P.25-27.
5. Bacterial vaginosis: what's new? I.A. Apolikhina, S.Z. Muslimova // Gynecology. - 2008. - T. 10, No. 6. - P.36-37.

Popular questions

I am concerned about itching and unpleasant smell.
Hello! The appearance of odor and itching in the genital tract may indicate an inflammatory process, dysbacteriosis, or a more serious disease. Therefore, you need to see a specialist and undergo an examination: a smear for flora, examinations to identify specific and nonspecific microflora (for example, vaginal culture or femoflora analysis). This will allow you to prescribe etiotropic therapy. At this stage, before receiving the results of the examinations, you can use Gynocomfort gel with tea tree oil to prevent the spread of inflammation. The composition will help eliminate itching and odor, relieve swelling and restore the condition of the mucous membranes. The gel is used in 1 dose 1 time per day for 7-10 days. It is introduced into the genital tract using an applicator.

Both my partner and I began to itch. Before this we took antibiotics. Will Gynocomfort gel help?

Hello! Most often, after taking antibiotics, dysbiosis develops associated with a yeast fungus of the genus Candida. To clarify the nature of the itching, you still need to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist and urologist, respectively, and conduct an examination - a smear on the flora. Until you get the result, you can use Gynocomfort gel with tea tree oil. This will relieve itching and accelerate the anti-inflammatory effect. The gel is administered 1 dose 1 time per day for 10 days using an applicator.

Hello, I have a burning and itching of the genitals, please tell me what can be done?

Hello! At this stage, you can use Gynocomfort gel with tea tree oil, which will have an anti-inflammatory effect and eliminate swelling and burning. And then you need to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist for an examination to identify the cause of the disease.

After sexual intercourse, itching and burning began and it is very itchy, sometimes there is pain, it hurts to walk small to the toilet, sometimes but not often there is a white discharge, and menstruation should begin soon. I apply clotrimazole 2 times a day, the itching subsides during the day and appears in the morning.

Hello!
Such manifestations indicate an inflammatory process in the genital tract and a possible ascending infection in the urinary system. See a doctor as soon as possible, conduct an examination to identify the inflammatory factor and carry out treatment to the required extent. For an accurate diagnosis, contact a specialist

Diagnostics

First of all, the doctor asks about complaints, studies the medical history and conducts an external examination, after which he sends for a diagnostic examination.

For women, diagnosis includes:

• gynecological examination;
• general and biochemical blood test;
• blood test for hormones;
• analysis of vaginal smear and discharge;
• DNA-based tests;
• Pap test;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• colposcopy or biopsy.

If necessary, the gynecologist will refer you for consultation to other specialists: urologist, dermatologist, venereologist, allergist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist.

Men are referred for tests:

• blood and urine;
• smear and scraping;
• sperm and prostate secretions;
• DNA.