Vaginal Itching

Vaginal itching is a problem that can occur periodically in women.

It is generally caused by allergies or fungal infections. Of course, though less common, it can also be a warning sign of a more serious condition.

Using scented pads or spraying deodorant-type sprays on the genital area can trigger allergic itching.

It's important to distinguish between itching of the external genital area and itching inside the vaginal canal itself. Both areas can experience similar types of itching, but the underlying causes for the external area versus the interior of the vagina can be entirely unrelated.

It could be an HPV-related condyloma (genital wart), or it could be the beginning of a serious infection inside the vagina.

Even in the case of candida attacks — one of the least dangerous women's health conditions, causing vaginal fungal infection — it's important to remember that if left unaddressed and untreated, it can pave the way for many more serious vaginal conditions.

For vaginal itching, many products marketed as herbal remedies can be found on the market, online, and especially in herbal shops.

We recommend against using any cream, gel, or herbal mixture from anyone without scientifically proven evidence or sufficient expertise on the subject.

In this situation, the first thing you should do is consult your gynecologist.

If you don't have a gynecologist, be sure to book an appointment with one for an examination regarding this issue.

Young women, even those without prior sexual activity, can and should see a gynecologist about this concern.

This type of examination never causes any damage to the hymen.

Treating Vaginal Itching

Vaginal itching can be genuinely distressing, and can sometimes be severe enough that women seek emergency care at a hospital.

In these cases, gynecologists typically check the discharge and examine the external genital area and the vaginal canal to understand the underlying issue.

In sexually active women, a special antiseptic solution may be used to rapidly wash the interior of the vagina to relieve itching quickly.

This type of washing, or vaginal lavage, must always be performed by a physician. This is because washing the interior of the vagina with antiseptic solution can significantly reduce beneficial bacteria — including lactobacillus, which plays a very important protective role in the vagina.

When your doctor deems it necessary, they will provide the appropriate lactobacillus supplementation needed to restore your vagina's natural protective balance (lactobacillus bacteria have a protective effect against fungal overgrowth), preventing disruption of the vaginal flora.

In addition to addressing your urgent itching, your gynecologist will perform a vaginal culture test to determine whether a different infection is present — meaning a sample of the discharge is collected with a cotton swab from the vaginal canal and examined.

For treatment of vaginal itching, your physician will most likely resolve the issue by prescribing an antifungal medication or an antihistamine (for allergy-related causes).

If problems such as vaginal itching or vaginal burning recur more than twice within a year, we recommend ozone therapy and autohemotherapy treatments to prevent the condition from becoming chronic.