Vaginal itching certainly causes discomfort for women who experience it. The causes can vary, ranging from fungal infections to stress. Although it looks mild and can heal on its own, vaginal itching can also be caused by a more serious disease.
Vaginal itching is a common and harmless condition. This condition is usually mild and resolves within a few days.
However, if the complaint of itching in the genitals gets worse, recurs frequently, or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor because these complaints may indicate the presence of a disease, such as a sexually transmitted disease or vulvar cancer.
Various Causes of Itchy Vaginal Complaints
The appearance of complaints of itching in the vagina can be caused by many things, including:
1. Vaginal irritation
Vaginal itching can be caused by vaginal irritation due to the influence of irritating chemicals. These chemicals are usually found in certain products, such as condoms, soap, wet wipes, vaginal cleaners, or sanitary napkins.
2. Fungal infection
Another cause of vaginal itching is a yeast infection or vaginal candidiasis. This condition is more common in women who are pregnant, taking antibiotics, sexually active, or women with weakened immune systems.
In addition to causing vaginal itching, this condition can also be accompanied by other complaints, such as vaginal discharge and vaginal itching.
3. Bacterial vaginosis
In addition to yeast infections, vaginal itching can also be caused by bacterial vaginosis, which is a bacterial infection in the vagina. This condition is generally accompanied by a burning sensation and discharge and an unpleasant odor from the vagina.
4. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Vaginal itching is one of the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea. This condition is more at risk for people who frequently change sexual partners and do not use condoms when having sex.
In addition to itching, PMS can also cause other symptoms in women, such as pain or tenderness in the vagina, pain during intercourse, and vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor.
5. Menopause
Menopause is a condition when a woman no longer gets her period or menstruation for 12 consecutive months. This condition is usually experienced by women aged 45-55 years.
When a woman goes through menopause, the amount of the hormone estrogen in her body will decrease. Menopause can cause vaginal itching and dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, changes in vaginal discharge mood, and weight gain.
6. Vulvar Cancer
Although rare, vaginal itching can also be a symptom of vulvar cancer. In addition to the appearance of itching in the female sex organs, vulvar cancer can also cause other symptoms, such as bleeding, vaginal pain, and weight loss for no apparent reason.
7. Lichen sclerosis
Lichen sclerosis is a skin disorder on the vulva that can cause vaginal itching. This condition can cause thin white patches and is often experienced by women in the postmenopausal period. Other skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis, can also cause vaginal itching.
8. Stress
Physical and emotional stress can cause vaginal itching. This is because when experiencing stress, the immune system will decrease and make the vagina susceptible to infections, such as bacterial or fungal infections.
Other Symptoms to Watch Out For When Experiencing Itchy Vagina
Vaginal itching and irritation usually goes away on their own. However, you need to be alert if the complaint persists for more than 1 week, gets worse, or is accompanied by other complaints, such as:
- Abnormal discharge from the vagina
- Boils or sores, such as thrush on the vulva
- Difficulty or burning sensation when urinating
- Vaginal bleeding and swelling
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse
If you experience some of the conditions above, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
To determine the cause of the vaginal itching complaint that you are experiencing, the doctor can perform a physical examination in the form of a vaginal examination and supporting tests, such as blood and urine tests, examination of vaginal fluids, and PAP smear.
Once the cause is known, the doctor can treat vaginal itching by prescribing the following medicines:
- Antibiotics, to treat bacterial infections in the vagina
- Antifungal medication, either in the form of oral medication or cream, to treat vaginal itching due to yeast infection
- Estrogen cream or tablets, to treat vaginal itching caused by menopause
- Antihistamines, to treat vaginal itching triggered by allergic reactions
How to Prevent and Overcome Vaginal Itching
There are several ways you can do to prevent and treat vaginal itching, namely:
- Avoid using tissues, sanitary napkins, pantyliner, and feminine organ cleansers containing fragrance.
- Use clean water and plain, unscented soap to clean the feminine area and only do it once a day.
- Clean the vagina properly, namely from the direction of the vagina to the anus. Use of toilet paper after urinating should also be done from the vagina to the anus
- Change pads regularly during menstruation.
- Change underwear regularly every day and choose cotton underwear.
- Use a condom during sexual intercourse to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Avoid having sex when the vagina still feels itchy or painful.
- Try not to scratch the vagina even if it itches.
- Change into sports clothes, especially swimsuits, as soon as you finish exercising.
- Use pants or skirts that are comfortable and not too tight.
It is important to always maintain the cleanliness of the intimate organs to prevent vaginal itching. If the vaginal itching that you feel does not go away and is accompanied by other complaints as described above, immediately consult a doctor so that a proper examination and treatment can be carried out.