Content

• Steps

Most women experience itchy genitals at some point in their lives. For some people, this may be a minor problem that goes away on its own, but for others it may persist due to illness or allergy. Depending on the specific cause of your vaginal itching, you can treat it at home or it's best to see a doctor for professional treatment.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Temporarily relieves itching

1. 

   Use a cold compress. Whatever the cause of your vaginal itching, you can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying a cold compress (for example, using a towel) to the labia.
   • To use a cold compress, place a clean towel under cold, running water until it is wet. Then, squeeze out excess water and apply it to your genitals for 5-10 minutes.
   • Be sure to wash the towels thoroughly after use. If you want to repeat the cold compress, use a new towel.
   • You can also use an ice pack. Make sure to wrap the ice pack in a clean paper towel and do not place it on your genital area for more than 20 minutes at a time.

2. 

   
   
   Get rid of irritants. Irritants from laundry detergent, soap or other products can cause vaginal itching. Switching to unscented laundry detergent and not using fabric softener can help relieve vaginal itching caused by allergies. You should also use mild cleaning products to remove any potential irritants from your shower gel.
   • For example, you can use Dove bar soap or Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser.
   • Avoid using cleaning products, cloths, powders or products with odors to avoid irritating your genitals.

3. 

   
   
   Use moisturizer. Water-filled creams or emulsified ointments can be purchased at most pharmacies to help relieve vaginal itching. Be sure to follow all instructions for applying cream / ointment. Note that these products do not help treat the underlying cause of vaginal itching.

4. 

   Avoid scratching. Scratching will only aggravate the irritation and make it more itchy. Scratching can even cause infection if it causes a tear, so avoid scratching at all costs.

5. 

   
   
   Treat the cause. Some women may experience occasional itchy vagina and need no treatment, but if you experience severe or persistent itching, there may be some underlying cause. It is important to identify the cause to help treat the infection or to help avoid contact with the cause of the irritation.

Method 2 of 5: Prevent itching caused by a yeast infection

1. 

   Diagnose a yeast infection. Yeast infections can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from other types of infection, so see your doctor right away if you are uncertain about your diagnosis. Common symptoms of a yeast infection include inflammation, a burning sensation, vaginal pain, and an odorless vaginal discharge (which can be liquid or thick and white in color).
   • If there are other signs of vaginal discharge, you may have a different infection.
   • Women who are pregnant, taking antibiotics, have diabetes or have weakened immune systems are at higher risk for yeast infections.
   • If you are pregnant and suspect you have an infection, you should see your doctor for evaluation. The infection can harm an unborn baby if it is not actually a yeast infection.

2. 

   Use over-the-counter products. There are many vulvar creams and tablets used to treat yeast infections that are sold in most pharmacies. These products are effective in treating the majority of yeast infections.
   • Some products require different treatment durations. If you have a recurrent yeast infection, choose a product that can be used for 7 days.
   • If you feel too uncomfortable, look for a yeast infection treatment that contains ingredients that reduce itching.
   • Butoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, and terconazole are some of the most common active ingredients in yeast infections and have all been shown to be effective in this infection.

3. 

   Consider alternative treatments. If conventional medications don't work or you want to find something more natural, there are a few options for you.
   • Use a boric acid suppository. Boric acid is very effective at killing the bacteria that cause yeast infections. You can buy boric acid suppositories at most health care stores. Absolutely do not self-treat a yeast infection with boric acid powder because the powder makes the irritation worse. Note that boric acid is toxic, so don't give it to others while you're taking boric acid.
   • Use tea tree oil. You can cure a yeast infection by using a tampon (a tampon tube) soaked in tea tree oil. Take care when using this method and remove the tampon if it is uncomfortable. Although tea tree oil is believed to be an antifungal, more testing is needed to prove its effectiveness in treating yeast infections.
   • Treat the infection with a probiotic. There is some evidence that you can fight yeast infections by increasing the amount of good bacteria in your body. To increase the amount of beneficial bacteria, you can insert Lactobacillus tablets (available at natural health food stores) directly into the vagina. You can even cure the infection by eating probiotic-rich yogurt or applying it to your genitals. Note that these treatments are not as effective as traditional methods and may be more expensive.

4. 

   Know when to see a doctor. Most yeast infections can be treated at home, but in some cases, see your doctor.In general, it's a good idea to see your doctor if you have never had a yeast infection as you may misdiagnose yourself. Also see your doctor if your yeast infection does not improve after treatment.
   • If your yeast infection doesn't respond to over-the-counter treatments, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication.
   • A yeast infection is often accompanied by a thick white vaginal discharge. If the discharge is a bit gray, yellowish, or bluish, you should see your doctor, as it may not be a yeast infection.
   • If you want to confirm a yeast infection but don't want to see your doctor, you can purchase a home screening test kit, such as the Vagisil Screening Test, to confirm the diagnosis. However, you still need to see your doctor if your symptoms do not improve with home treatment.

5. 

   Prevent future yeast infections. While it is not possible to prevent all future yeast infections from recurring, there are a few ways that can help reduce the risk of a yeast infection.
   • Don't take antibiotics if you don't need them. Antibiotics can disrupt the bacterial balance in the vagina, causing a yeast infection. Even so, you still need to take antibiotics if you really need to.
   • Wear cotton underwear.
   • Avoid wearing tight pants, socks and underwear.
   • Keep the vaginal area as dry as possible by taking off damp clothing immediately and avoiding hot tubs.
   • If you are taking birth control pills that contain estrogen and have a recurrent yeast infection, you should consider switching to a progestin-only pill or using an alternative method of birth control, as increasing estrogen levels can cause a yeast infection.

Method 3 of 5: Prevent itching caused by bacterial vaginosis

1. 

   Be aware of other symptoms. Other symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include a burning sensation, inflammation, a gray-white discharge, and a fishy odor. You may have all, some or even none of the symptoms listed above.
   • Currently, the exact cause of bacterial vaginosis has not been determined yet, but some women are more susceptible to vaginal infections than others. Many people who have had bacterial vaginosis will come back at least once a year. This may be because some women have low concentrations of natural probiotics.

2. 

   See your doctor. Unlike a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis cannot be effectively treated at home. To cure the infection and relieve your symptoms, you must see your doctor and take prescription medications. You may be prescribed oral medication, such as Metronidazole or Tinidazole, or using a cream, for example Clindamycin.
   • To diagnose bacterial vaginosis, your doctor will need to do a pelvic exam and a vaginal smear to examine the cells under a microscope. Your doctor may use a strip to check the pH of your vagina.
   • It is important to get treatment right away if you are pregnant as bacterial vaginosis can lead to serious complications.

3. 

   Prevent vaginal yeast infections from recurring. While there's no way to prevent all infections from coming back, you can reduce your risk by taking a few simple steps:
   • Avoid douching as this can disrupt the natural bacterial balance in the vagina and lead to infection.
   • Avoid scent products like soaps, tampons, and sprays.
   • Decreased sex partner. Although the cause is not entirely clear, women who have sex with multiple people, have recently had sex with a new person or have sex with men are at a higher risk of developing a bacterial vaginosis.
   • Dry the vaginal area after bathing and avoid hot tubs.
   • Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet to avoid getting stool bacteria into the vagina.

Method 4 of 5: Prevent the itch caused by a sexually transmitted infection

1. 

   Know the warning signs of a sexually transmitted infection. Vaginal itching can be a symptom of many sexually transmitted diseases. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or have another cause to think you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection, you should see your doctor right away. Note that you can get a sexually transmitted infection even if you don't have any symptoms.
   • Trichomoniasis usually causes vaginal redness, a strong odor, and a yellow-green vaginal discharge.
   • Chlamydia usually has no symptoms but can cause unusual bleeding, vaginal discharge, and abdominal pain.
   • Gonorrhea usually causes a bloody or thick vaginal discharge, cloudiness, anal itching, and pain when urinating.
   • Herpes usually causes red bumps, blisters, or sores around the genitals.
   • HPV or genital warts often causes small, flesh-colored warts near the genitals, which can appear in clusters.

2. 

   See your doctor. If you have a sexually transmitted infection, you need to see a doctor for medical treatment. If left untreated, some sexually transmitted infections can lead to serious complications. Therefore, you need to see your doctor immediately and take the medicine according to the instructions.
   • Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, and syphilis can all be treated with antibiotics. Depending on the infection, your doctor may prescribe either an oral antibiotic or an injection.
   • There is no cure for HPV, but your doctor may recommend treatment options to help reduce the appearance of genital warts.
   • Herpes can be suppressed with antiviral drugs to reduce flare-ups, but there is no cure and cannot be guaranteed that an infected person does not infect others.

3. 

   Prevent future infections. The best way to avoid getting a sexually transmitted disease is to have safe sex.
   • Your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection is lowest if you don't have sex or if you only have sex with someone who doesn't have the disease.
   • If you have sex with more than one person, protect yourself by using a condom when you have sex.

Method 5 of 5: Prevent the itchy sensation of vaginitis that is not caused by infection

1. 

   Understand the causes and symptoms. Non-infectious vaginitis is the general term for vaginal irritation that is not caused by any type of infection. Vaginitis can have many causes, including an allergic reaction, skin irritation and a hormone imbalance.
   • It can be difficult to distinguish between infectious and non-infectious vaginitis. Yeast infections are often confused with an allergy to laundry detergent. It is therefore very important to see your doctor if you are not sure what is causing your symptoms. Common symptoms include a burning sensation in the vagina, vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain.

2. 

   Stop using potentially irritating products. Vaginal itching can be caused by an allergic reaction to the product you are using, such as soap or lubricants.
   • Avoid using smelly products if sensitive.
   • If vaginal itching develops shortly after starting a new product, discontinue use immediately and avoid products with the same ingredients.

3. 

   Control hormone changes. Some women experience vaginal itching just before and during menopause due to a decrease in estrogen. To avoid this, your doctor may prescribe an estrogen cream, oral estrogen pill, or vaginal estrogen ring.
   • If you experience vaginal dryness during menopause, you can reduce vaginal dryness by using a commercial vaginal moisturizer and a water-filled lubricant during sex.

4. 

   Treat skin problems. In some cases, the skin around the vagina may become irritated due to a skin problem. In that case, it's best to see a dermatologist for treatment.
   • Vitiligo is a condition that causes white, scaly patches of skin. It can be treated with a prescription-strength steroid cream.
   • Eczema and psoriasis can also cause vaginal itching. A gynecologist or dermatologist can prescribe medications to help control these conditions.