Vaginal itching is a symptom that may signify something is affecting your vagina. Other symptoms that often occur with itching can include redness, swelling, discharge and may involve the vagina or the external genital area called the vulva.

Common causes of vaginal itching include:

• Infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis

• Irritation or allergic reactions from clothing, detergents, soaps, creams, condoms, and more

• Changes in hormone levels due to the transition to menopause

• Diabetes

• Pubic lice

• Skin disorders, such as psoriasis and lichen sclerosus

• In rare cases, cancer of the vulva

During a doctor's visit, your doctor may perform an examination of the genital area, as well as ask questions about symptoms. On this basis, the physician is typically able to determine what is causing the vaginal itching.

Testing may include:

• STI tests

• Urine tests

• Blood tests

• Pap Smear

Prognosis and Duration of Vaginal Itching

Once treatment is started or irritants are removed, vaginal itching is typically relieved. However, it can take up to a few weeks to fully resolve.

Treatment for vaginal itching depends on the cause and may include the following.

Medication Options

• Antifungal cream or suppository, such as miconazole (Monistat 1), clotrimazole, butoconazole, or tioconazole (Vagistat-1); or antifungal medication, such as fluconazole (Diflucan, which is taken orally) for yeast infections

• Corticosteroid cream, such as hydrocortisone or clobetasol for lichen sclerosus

• Metronidazole (Flagyl), metronidazole (MetroGel) gel, or clindamycin (Cleocin) cream tindazole (Tindamax) tablets, and secnidazole (Solosec) – an antibiotic in granule form eaten with food – for bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis

• Antibiotics for sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis

• Estrogen for itching caused by hormonal changes

• Antihistamine to relieve irritation or allergic reaction

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

• Placing a cold compress, such as a washcloth, on the labial area to help with discomfort

• Taking a sitz bath with water covering the genital and rectal areas

These measures can help relieve symptoms but won’t get to the root of the problem. It’s important to seek medical help, especially if this is the first time you are experiencing symptoms. Untreated infections can lead to serious complications.

Prevention of Vaginal Itching

The following can help reduce the likelihood of vaginal itching:

• Keep your genital area clean and dry.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing, cotton underwear during the day, and no underwear while sleeping to help limit moisture in the area, which lets your vagina "breathe."

• Refrain from using soap, rinsing the area with water instead.

• Soak in a warm (not hot) bath.

• Avoid douches, because they eliminate healthy bacteria that help fight infections.

• Don't apply hygiene sprays, fragrances, or powders near the vagina.

• Use pads instead of tampons if you have an infection.

• Wipe from front to back when using the toilet.

• Keep your blood glucose under control if you have diabetes.

• Use a barrier form of protection from sexually transmitted infections, such as a condom or dental dam. Remember that no form of protection besides abstinence is 100 percent effective.

Some complications can develop from scratching associated with vaginal itching when certain conditions are, including the following:

• The STI trichomoniasis causes inflammation and can increase the risk of acquiring other STIs.

• If itching is caused by bacterial vaginosis, the inflammation can increase the risk of acquiring an STI.

• Having symptomatic bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis while pregnant has been linked to premature deliveries and low birth weight.

• When lichen sclerosus is left untreated, it can cause scarring and increase the risk of cancer of the vulva.

• If left untreated, gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In turn, untreated PID can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

Vaginal itching can occur in girls and women of all ages.

Children

Vaginal itching in children may be caused by:

• Vaginitis, often due to wiping incorrectly and not washing hands properly after bowel movements, or inflammation from chemicals in bubble baths or soaps

• A foreign body, such as toilet paper or crayon that a young child may place in their vagina

• Pinworms

• Sexual abuse

Women

Women may experience vaginal itching due to the following infections:

• Bacterial vaginosis

• Candidal vaginitis

• Trichomonal vaginitis

• Gonorrhea

• Chlamydial infection

• Genital herpes

• Atrophic vaginitis (inflammation related to low estrogen levels most common in the years during and after menopause)

• Chemical vulvitis in women who are incontinent or bed bound

• Irritation or allergic reactions from clothing, detergents, soaps, creams, condoms, and more

• Vaginal cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer

The following are related to vaginal itching:

• Discharge or cervical mucus

• Inflammation of the vaginal mucosa or the vulva, called vulvovaginitis

• Yeast infections

• Sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis

• Diabetes

• Skin disorders, such as psoriasis and lichen sclerosus

• Vulva cancer

• Menopause

Vaginal itching is a sign that something is occurring in your vagina that may require treatment. Allergic reactions, infections, skin conditions, rare diseases, and changes in hormone levels may all cause vaginal itching. Fortunately, there are treatment options that can help you get relief.