What Is Vaginal Itching? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Vaginal itching, or genital itching, is a common issue for many women.

Vaginal itching is a symptom that may signify something is occurring with your vagina. Signs and symptoms of itching can involve the vagina or the genital area called the vulva.

Common causes of vaginal itching include: (1,2)

• 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.

Prognosis and Duration of Vaginal Itching

Once treatment is started or irritants are removed, vaginal itching is typically resolved.

Treatment for vaginal itching depends on the cause and may include the following. (1,3)

Medication Options

• Corticosteroid cream, such as hydrocortisone or clobetasol for lichen sclerosus
• Metronidazole (Flagyl), metronidazole (MetroGel) gel, or clindamycin (Cleocin) cream for bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis
• Antibiotics for sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis
• 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
• 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

Prevention of Vaginal Itching

The following can help reduce the likelihood of vaginal itching: (3)

• 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.

Some complications can develop when vaginal itching is present, including the following: (1,3)

• Itching caused by 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 ectopic pregnancy.

Vaginal itching can occur in children and women of all ages. (4)

Children

Vaginal itching in children may be caused by:

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

Women of Reproductive Age

Women of reproductive age may experience vaginal itching due to the following infections:

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Candidal vaginitis
• Trichomonal vaginitis
• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydial infection
• Genital herpes

Irritation or allergic reactions from clothing, detergents, soaps, creams, condoms, and more can also cause itching.

Postmenopausal Women

Women past menopause may experience vaginal itching due to:

• Atrophic vaginitis
• Vaginal cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer
• Chemical vulvitis in women who are incontinent or bed bound
• Irritation or allergic reactions from clothing, detergents, soaps, creams, condoms, and more

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

Reliable vaginal health resources can be helpful for finding information and support. Many organizations provide educational materials and can help you find doctors who specialize in vaginal conditions. Online communities also offer support as well as practical advice and tips. Here are a few we recommend.

Office on Women's Health

Within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office on Women's Health addresses women's health issues by informing and advancing policies, educating healthcare professionals and consumers, and supporting innovative programs.

National Women’s Health Network

This organization of consumer activists is supported by a national membership. The network aims to shape policy and support consumer health decisions; monitor the actions of federal regulatory and funding agencies, the healthcare industry, and the health professions; identify and expose healthcare abuses; and mobilize grassroots action for women’s health.