Why is My Vagina Itchy?

While vaginal itching is a common concern experienced by many, it can still be very uncomfortable to deal with. Experiencing occasional vaginal itching is perfectly normal. But if you find that the itching persists and becomes more bothersome, it's important to reach out to a healthcare professional to seek treatment. 

In this article, we'll cover the typical causes of vaginal itching, explore treatment options, and examine some of the more severe conditions that it may be a sign of. We understand that dealing with vaginal itching can be quite challenging, but know that you're not alone. In fact, 1 in 10 females will talk to their doctor about persistently itchy vulva at some stage in their life. Let's navigate this issue together and prioritize your well-being.

Common Causes of Vaginal Itching

If you’re experiencing vaginal itching, the cause must be determined by a doctor to ensure proper treatment – typically it is easy to treat. Let's explore some of the most common factors that can lead to vaginal itchiness, including:

Hygiene

We know you’ve probably heard this one before, maintaining proper hygiene is crucial for vaginal health. However, it’s important to note that excessive washing, using harsh soaps, or douching can disrupt the delicate balance of the vaginal flora, leading to irritation and itching. It's important to strike the right balance in your hygiene routine to keep your vaginal area healthy.

• Excessive washing or using harsh soaps: Since the vagina is self-cleansing, a feminine or vulva wash may not be necessary for everyone to maintain their hygiene. If you do use a feminine or vulva wash, excessive washing can actually disrupt its delicate balance of bacteria and impact the natural pH level, potentially causing irritation and inflammation. Most of the feminine and vulva washes out there include unnecessary ingredients like added scents, essential oils, and chemicals. If you’re looking for a feminine or vulva wash – opt for pH-Balanced vulva cleanser with minimal ingredients. If you’ve never felt like you need to use a vulva wash, they are not always necessary to support your hygiene routine so you can stick to just water⁽²⁾.

• Douching: While it's crucial to maintain cleanliness in the areas around and between the labia majora and labia minora, it's best to steer clear of douching or applying soap inside the vagina or around the vaginal and urethral openings. Doing so can potentially lead to irritation and create conditions conducive to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis⁽²⁾. Douching also increases the occurrence of abnormal vaginal discharge⁽³⁾. So, stick to cleansing around the vulva area, not inside the vaginal opening.

Infections

Vaginal infections can catch you off guard, when symptoms like itching and inflammation appear suddenly. If you suspect an infection, get in touch with your doctor right away to ensure you get proper treatment. There are a few types of infections that could lead to this discomfort: 

• Yeast infections: Yeast infections, often caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans, are a common concern among females. Common symptoms for yeast infections are typically redness and swelling of the vulva, vaginal dryness, painful urination, and painful intercourse. Antibiotics, pregnancy, and uncontrolled diabetes can all impact someone’s risk of developing a yeast infection⁽⁴⁾.

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV): BV is a common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of the harmful bacteria, most often caused by a bacteria called Gardnerella vaginalis. It often results in symptoms such as vaginal itching and pain, a fishy odor, and thin grayish-white vaginal discharge. BV can be treated with antibiotics or boric acid, as directed by a healthcare provider.⁽⁵⁾.

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Vaginal itching is a symptom of many STIs, including trichomoniasis, genital herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, and gonorrhea⁽⁶⁾. If you suspect you might have an STI, contact your doctor for testing and treatment as soon as possible.

Allergies

Allergies can occasionally lead to vaginal itching when the body's immune system reacts to allergens. This immune response can trigger inflammation and irritation in the vaginal area⁽⁷⁾. 

Common allergens that may contribute to vaginal itching include certain soaps, topical medications, detergents, latex, and dyes. Managing these allergies through avoidance or treatment can help alleviate the discomfort⁽⁸⁾.

Irritants

Irritants like tight clothing, wet swimsuits, and sweaty workout clothes can lead to vaginal itching. The constant friction of these types of clothing against the sensitive skin of your vagina not only causes discomfort but also creates a moisture-rich environment that's conducive to bacterial growth⁽²⁾. 

Choosing breathable, loose-fitting clothing can help reduce the risk of this type of irritation and maintain vaginal comfort⁽²⁾.

Hormonal Shifts

Vaginal itching can often be attributed to hormonal fluctuations, with low estrogen levels being a potential culprit. These hormonal changes can become more pronounced during significant life stages like menopause and pregnancy.

• Menopause: Menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycle and is accompanied by a reduction in estrogen levels. This hormonal change can result in vaginal dryness and the thinning of your vaginal walls, making the area more susceptible to irritation and itching⁽⁹⁾.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy Introduces a multitude of hormonal changes that can significantly impact the vaginal environment. These shifts often occur as a natural part of the body's adaptation to support a growing fetus. During pregnancy, increased levels of hormones may lead to an increase in vaginal discharge, a higher susceptibility to yeast infections, and more^(10,11). Consequently, some expectant mothers may experience discomfort and itchiness in the vaginal region as a result of these hormonal fluctuations.

How to prevent vaginal itching

While vaginal itching isn't always avoidable, there are measures you can take to prevent it, such as:

Wearing breathable underwear

What causes vaginal itching? It could be your underwear! Opt for cotton underwear instead. This fabric is breathable and helps circulate air to avoid trapping moisture⁽²⁾.

Avoiding scented products

It’s normal for vaginas to have an odor, so put down the fragrances. Scented products can cause irritation and mess with your vaginal pH balance, so try to avoid fragrances or deodorants⁽⁸⁾. 

Changing out of wet clothes

Be sure to change out of wet clothes and swimsuits quickly after a gym or swim session.

Using the appropriate washing and wiping techniques

Always wipe front to back after using the restroom. Good personal hygiene should include cleaning the genitals with warm water or a gentle, unscented cleanser⁽²⁾. 

Practicing safe sex

If you’re struggling with vaginal dryness, friction can cause itchy irritation. Consider a water-based lubricant⁽²⁾. As many STIs can result in itchiness, practice safe sex and undergo regular STI screenings⁽⁶⁾.

Treatment for vaginal itching

Some vaginal itching remedies are available over-the-counter (OTC), while others require a doctor's prescription. It's time to have a chat with your healthcare provider if your vaginal itching is consistent, worsening, or interfering with your quality of life.

Antifungal creams

Antifungal creams are OTC topicals that work by fighting yeast overgrowth.

It takes three to seven days to see an improvement when using an antifungal for vaginal irritation⁽¹²⁾. If the vaginal irritation doesn't go away, it may require a doctor to prescribe a stronger course of antifungals.

If it isn't a yeast infection, antifungals will not help alleviate the symptoms.

Antibiotics for bacterial infections

Only a medical professional can diagnose and prescribe medication for bacterial infections.

The most common doctor-prescribed antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis are metronidazole and clindamycin, which can come in pill and gel form. Other prescribed creams or vaginal suppositories are available to treat BV⁽¹³⁾.

Treating most STIs requires a course of antibiotics as well, and the type typically depends on what infection you have. 

Safe Sex

Practicing safe sex is a reliable method for preventing infections that can result in vaginal itching and discomfort. Additionally, it's crucial not to share sex toys and to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned after each use to maintain optimal vaginal health.

Healthcare professionals also recommend getting tested along with any new partner before having sex.

If you're experiencing vaginal itching, burning, or irritation, avoid sexual contact until it's diagnosed and treated.

Final Thoughts

Most females experience vaginal itchiness at some point in their lives, and probably way more than once.

While it's perfectly normal to experience the occasional itchiness, it becomes a cause for concern when it persists or worsens to impact your overall well-being. 

Ignoring ongoing vaginal itchiness may result in increased irritation or more severe problems. Therefore, reaching out to your doctor to discuss steps for diagnosing and treating vaginal itchiness is essential, and with the right treatment, you can find lasting relief.

Note: references to "female", “women”, “male”, and “men” in this article refer to sex assigned at birth, not gender.