Severe itching of the body skin. Allergy to sperm

Itching and burning in the vagina is a symptom of various pathologies, such as fungal infection, STIs, vulvovaginitis, urethritis and estrogen deficiency.

Therefore, if unpleasant sensations appear, you should not engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication, but it is better to immediately consult a gynecologist.

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1. Intensity and nature of itching

2.4. After intercourse
Unpleasant sensations after sex can be explained by three reasons:
1. 1 Allergy to the barrier contraceptives used - latex condoms, components of antispermicidal creams, as well as gels, lubricants, etc.
2. 2 Microtraumas and microcracks on the mucous membrane (formed during violent sex).
3. 3 Exacerbation of an existing chronic infection.
Very rarely, an allergy to a partner’s sperm may manifest itself this way.

2.5. No discharge or unpleasant odor
Vaginal itching without discharge or unpleasant odor often accompanies various neuropsychiatric disorders. It can also occur with increased psycho-emotional stress.
During menopause, it occurs with atrophy of the vaginal mucosa. Also, the cause of these symptoms can be various neoplasms (polyps, condylomas).

2.6. During urination
If the external opening of the urethra is located close to the vestibule of the vagina, then a feeling of discomfort, burning and itching appears when urine comes into contact with the inflamed mucous membrane of the vestibule of the vagina, microcracks, or small abrasions.
Additionally, means are used to normalize microflora and strengthen the body's defenses.

5.2. STD
A gynecologist or dermatovenerologist prescribes antibacterial and antiprotozoal agents with mandatory monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment.
Some treatment regimens involve provocation (exacerbation) of the disease using a gonococcal vaccine or pyrogenal. It is necessary to treat both sexual partners, and it is necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse for the entire period.

5.3. Bacterial vaginosis
The main task - . For this purpose, much attention is paid to eubiotics, as well as local anti-inflammatory drugs.

5.4. Genital herpes
Antiviral drugs are used - Acyclovir, Zovirax and others. General strengthening agents are also prescribed.

5.5. Atrophic vaginitis
First of all, they are appointed. In the absence of contraindications, the gynecologist will consider the issue. Additional means are:
1. 1 Ointments with glucocorticosteroids.
2. 2 Moisturizing gels – “Replens”, “Montavit”.
3. 3 Before sexual intercourse - lubricants that replace the natural lubrication of the vagina.
You cannot use medications on your own, without a doctor’s prescription, as this can only aggravate the symptoms and lead to complications.

can begin to bother a woman at any age. As usual, these unpleasant sensations are accompanied by redness of the vulvar mucosa. The resulting discomfort forces the woman to scratch the itchy area, which leads to the appearance of wounds. Injured skin is an entry point for microorganisms that cause inflammation with further formation of ulcers.
It is worth understanding that itching and burning are just symptoms that do not occur on their own. They are the result of some irritating factors. These can be either minor external irritants (for example, insufficient hygiene) or serious diseases. Therefore, severe itching and burning in the vagina should not be tolerated. Self-treatment often only leads to aggravation of the problem, chronicity and progression of the disease (if any). To find out the causes of itching, you should consult a doctor. Only a specialist, based on the research conducted, will be able to select adequate treatment.

The causes of itching and burning in the vagina include the following:

A disease caused by fungi of the genus Candida is thrush or candidiasis. Symptoms accompanying itching and burning are curdled and profuse discharge with a thick consistency.

An allergic reaction to possible multiple irritants: medications, food, intimate hygiene products, secretions from a sexual partner, etc. It is known that exposure to a local irritant always provokes itching in a characteristic area.

Sexually transmitted diseases, the most common of which are: syphilis, gonorrhea, donovanosis, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum.

The disease caused by chlamydia is female chlamydia. In addition to itching and burning, the patient is worried about discharge and increased body temperature. As for pain, it ranges from minor to intense.

Infection with ureaplasma and mycoplasma can lead to itching in the vagina.

With genital herpes, there is also some discomfort in this area. In addition, the disease is accompanied by profuse painful rashes in the genital area.

Cervicitis and endometritis, which are often complications of sexually transmitted infections, can also cause burning and itching in the vagina. An irritating effect is caused by an increased amount of exudate produced by the inflamed mucous membrane of the cervix or the uterus itself.

Kraurosis of the vulva. With this disease, itching occurs near the entrance to the vagina, which is associated with age-related changes in a woman’s body.

Also, a pathological process such as atrophy of the vaginal mucosa may be associated with menopausal changes.

Oncological diseases of the female reproductive system - malignant and benign processes can cause itching and burning in the vagina. It is possible that discomfort in the intimate area is associated with fibroids, cysts or polyps of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries.

The cause of itching and burning is sometimes pathologies of the thyroid gland, liver and kidney diseases.

Itching can be provoked by frequent and severe stress, mental illness, diseases of the nervous system, serious emotional overload, depressive disorders, etc.

Itching in the vestibule of the vagina can be caused by helminths and pubic lice.

Blood diseases such as leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis can cause itching.

Violation of the rules of intimate hygiene can cause itching in the vagina. Moreover, both insufficient and excessive hygiene are dangerous.

Microcracks that appear as a result of deterioration in the functioning of the mucous membranes may be the result of poor nutrition. It is possible that a woman suffering from vaginal itching is overly addicted to diets and suffers from vitamin deficiency.

Vaginal itching after taking antibiotics

Itching that occurs in the vagina after taking antibiotics may be due to the development of bacterial vaginosis. The reasons for the occurrence of this condition are explained quite simply.

Any antibacterial agent is aimed at inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacterial flora. As a result of their death, the inflammatory process fades away. However, antibiotics are capable of destroying not only pathogenic, but also beneficial bacteria living in the human body, including the vaginal mucosa.

In addition, the vaginal microflora is also represented by fungi. They are always present there and normally do not have a negative impact on a woman’s well-being. Their excessive growth is controlled by beneficial bacteria. After their death, nothing prevents the fungi from multiplying and, against the background of reduced immunity, their numbers begin to increase. As a result, the woman suffers from candidiasis, which provokes severe itching and burning.

To prevent the development of candidiasis, it is necessary to take antibacterial drugs from the first day, and use probiotics and prebiotics in parallel. Moreover, their use does not end after stopping the course of antibiotics, but is extended for another 10 days. The frequency of taking the drug, the duration of treatment, replacing the antibacterial drug - all these issues are within the competence of the doctor.

Normally, after sexual intercourse no unpleasant sensations should arise.

If after intimate intimacy a woman experiences itching and burning, this may be due to several reasons:

A woman suffers from a sexually transmitted or other infection, the symptoms of which worsen after excessive friction.

A woman has an allergic reaction to contraceptives. Allergies can be triggered by chemicals used to make vaginal pills or to lubricate condoms. Latex is often treated with lubricants and spermicides, which can cause irritation and allergies.

Latex intolerance is another possible cause of itching and burning in the vagina after sexual intercourse. If there is such an individual feature of the body, then it can be noted after undergoing a gynecological examination, which is always carried out with gloves.

Allergy to partner's sperm. Sometimes itching and burning occurs in women who live an intimate life with only one partner. Moreover, discomfort occurs precisely after unprotected sexual intercourse. In addition to burning and itching, an allergy to sperm manifests itself in redness and swelling of the external genitalia. This is a fairly serious problem, the solution of which is within the competence of the doctor. In addition to physical inconvenience, this causes psychological discomfort, as suspicions of infidelity arise. Sometimes the reason for an allergic reaction to a man's sperm lies in his food preferences or in the medications he takes.

When a feeling of burning and itching occurs some time after unprotected questionable sexual intercourse, you should consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination to identify sexually transmitted infections.

Itching in the vagina after urination

Itching in the vagina after urination may be due to the development of cystitis. With this disease, trips to the toilet become more frequent, which is an irritating factor. In addition, the process of urination itself causes discomfort.

Urethritis is another disease in which itching and burning may occur after the process of passing urine. With urethritis, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urethra occurs.

It is worth knowing that any disease that can cause dryness of the vaginal mucosa, causing the formation of microcracks, accompanied by heavy discharge, can cause burning and itching in the vagina after urination. The fact is that urine has irritating properties and if the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes is damaged, these properties increase.

Itching in the vagina during menstruation

During menstruation, itching and burning may occur.

If all diseases are excluded, then most likely the itching is due to one of the following reasons:

A woman has an allergic reaction to intimate hygiene products: pads or tampons.

A woman violates the rules of personal hygiene during menstruation. Thus, pads must be changed every four hours. You need to wash yourself at least 3 times a day using non-alkaline soap.

These are the most common non-infectious causes that can cause itching in the intimate area during menstruation.

Itching in the vagina without discharge or odor

There may be several reasons that can lead to vaginal itching in the absence of discharge and odor:

Condylomas and papillomas;

Infection with the genital herpes virus;

Prolapse of genital organs;

Age-related changes associated with hormonal changes in a woman’s body;

Wearing synthetic underwear;

Overheating and hypothermia of the perineal area;

General diseases of the body, including diabetes mellitus, renal failure, cholestasis, etc.;

Any allergic reactions of the body;

Fistulas of the genitourinary organs that occur after a traumatic birth;

Exposure to chemicals;

Nervous overstrain.

Itching in the vagina during pregnancy - what does it mean?

In addition to the fact that itching in the vagina during pregnancy can be caused by all the same reasons as in a non-pregnant woman, there is another provoking factor - sudden changes in hormonal levels in the body. As a result, the immune system functions less well, which leads to the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

Urinary incontinence during pregnancy due to poor hygiene can also cause itching. Sometimes even the woman herself does not notice that she has incontinence, since it is released involuntarily and in small quantities. However, even such small portions are enough to cause some discomfort in the vaginal area.

In order to get rid of the feeling of itching, it is necessary to exclude all possible external provoking factors. Among these are: gels for intimate hygiene, washing powders, low-quality synthetic underwear, intervaginal contraceptives, etc. Sometimes the body itself tells a woman what causes discomfort. If you cannot get rid of them, you should seek the advice of a specialist. First of all, you should go to an appointment with a gynecologist.

It is important to be examined by a doctor if questionable sexual contact has occurred, which subsequently led to itching and burning in the intimate area. The performed diagnostics will eliminate the presence of sexually transmitted infections, which very often occur hidden. Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases is within the competence of doctors; it is not possible to get rid of them on your own.

Itching in the intimate area in women is one of the most discussed problems in gynecological practice. Such discomfort significantly disrupts overall well-being, causing anxiety and stiffness. Sometimes the reasons for the development of itching sensations are very harmless, but this does not give reason to think that this symptom will go away on its own.

Often, areas with scratches and microtraumas of delicate skin become infected, which provokes swelling of the soft tissues and aggravates the course of the underlying disease. In such cases, you cannot postpone a visit to the gynecologist. A timely examination will allow you to determine the true causes and treatment of the pathology.

Why women's intimate parts itch: reasons

Doctors know many factors that provoke genital itching. Not only the symptoms of the general clinical picture of the disease, but also the treatment options for the disease depend on their nature.

Allergy

Allergic dermatitis is one of the most common causes of itching of the external genitalia. The body's reaction to a potential allergen can be caused by direct contact with synthetic fabrics (underwear), skin care products or detergent solutions, scented soaps, or laundry detergent. Allergies can also occur after taking medications or eating certain foods. This should be remembered especially for those women who are prone to developing itching in the genitals.

Dry skin

Sometimes itching in the genitals can be associated with genetically determined dry skin in intimate places. The reason for this pathological process is insufficient hydration of the skin and the appearance of discomfort in the form of itching or burning sensations. In such cases, you should pay attention to the woman’s hormonal background and regularly use moisturizing intimate hygiene products that have hypoallergenic properties.

External factors

Often itching in intimate places in women is provoked by various exogenous factors, which you can find in the table.

	Characteristic
Medicines	The cause of the development of itching in a girl or woman in an intimate place may be taking medications. Often, among the side effects of medications, you can find discomfort in the form of itching sensations between the legs. Therefore, before using medications, you should always carefully read the instructions for their use.
Poor or no hygiene	Itching of the external female genitalia may be associated with failure to comply with basic rules of personal hygiene, neglect of water procedures, ignoring the need to frequently change pads during menstruation, and the like.
Uncomfortable underwear	Another common reason why girls have itchy private parts is tight and very tight underwear. It provokes the appearance of injured areas of the skin, which during the rubbing process swell, become inflamed and begin to itch.
Mechanical damage during shaving	If the integrity of the skin is damaged during the use of a shaving machine, microtraumas may become infected with pathogenic microorganisms and local inflammation of the skin may develop.

Often, unpleasant sensations in the genital area can be provoked by factors that are sometimes not related to the reproductive sphere. Common causes of itching in the intimate area in women are diseases of the internal organs.

Pathological process	Characteristic symptoms
Sexual infections	With some sexually transmitted infections, itching of internal organs is the only symptom of a developing disease. Such pathological conditions include: ureaplasmosis, toxoplasmosis, chlamydia. On the other hand, with gonorrhea and trichomoniasis, the itching sensations are very pronounced. In addition, the patient develops purulent discharge, elevated body temperature, and sexual dysfunction.
Endocrine diseases	The condition of itching in an intimate place is characteristic of some endocrine diseases, in particular diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, and genital gonads.
Diseases of the genitourinary system	Inflammation of the bladder and kidneys, as well as the presence of stones in the urinary tract, are accompanied by the appearance of a large number of leukocytes in urine, salts and bacteria. Specific therapy for itching in these cases is not advisable. Discomfort and itching sensations disappear when urine levels normalize.
Oncological diseases	With cancer, the human body is in a state of chronic intoxication with waste products of the tumor, one of the characteristic symptoms of which is a condition where the skin itches in delicate places.

Inflammatory processes of the reproductive organs

In case of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs (vaginitis, endometritis, etc.), women secrete secretions from the vagina, which has an irritating effect on the skin of the intimate area. This contributes to the appearance of itching and burning in the genital area, causing swelling and redness.

Stress

A state of depression, nervous tension and mental instability often cause itching in an intimate place in women. Patients explain this symptom with anything but their emotional background. In such cases, sedative medications and self-control will help relieve itching.

You should not scratch the affected areas. You can make the situation worse by introducing an infection.

Drug treatment of itching in intimate places in women

How to treat itching localized in the genital area? Knowing why the genitals itch, the doctor will be able to prescribe a plan for correcting the pathological condition to the patient.

For allergic itching of intimate areas, the gynecologist prescribes general or local antihistamines to the woman, and in more advanced cases, hormonal ointments. Most often, this problem is an indication for the use of the following medications:

Fenistil ointment. It is recommended to apply several times a day to itchy areas of the skin.
Diazolin. 1 tablet three times a day for a week.
Advantan ointment - for application twice a day for 5-7 days.

For dry skin, patients are prescribed vitamins A and E, as well as moisturizers and hypoallergenic intimate hygiene products.

Itching in the intimate area, which is caused by the aging process, can be treated with Ovestin suppositories. They are used to normalize hormonal levels (1 suppository intravaginally for 7-10 days).

If itching is the result of exposure to external factors on the skin, then such skin contact with the likely irritant should be eliminated. After such actions, even severe itching in the intimate area goes away without a trace.

Sedatives will help eliminate stress itching and cure itchy skin in the genital area due to mental disorders:

Persen in the amount of 1 tablet twice a day.
Glycised 1 tablet 2-3 times a day for a week.

For candidiasis, antifungal agents will help relieve itching, namely:

Fluconazole – 150 mg once.
Clotrimazole suppositories - 1 suppository twice a day for a week.
Livarol suppositories - at night for 7-10 days;

Before you get rid of itching in an intimate place, you should definitely establish the probable causes of its occurrence. Only a doctor can cope with such a task through proper diagnosis of the disease and identification of factors that provoke intimate discomfort. Treatment of itching caused by diseases of the internal organs should be carried out in conjunction with the therapeutic regimen for eliminating the underlying disease.

How to remove itching in the intimate area using folk methods

To eliminate itching in the intimate area in women, folk recipes are used at home. Baths with decoctions of medicinal herbs, douching, topical solutions and other means that help effectively combat the problem will help cure discomfort in the genital area.

Recipe 1 . Baths with chamomile and calendula decoction

You will need:

50 g chamomile;
50 g calendula.

The specified amount of dry herbs should be poured with boiling water and placed in a water bath. Let stand for about 15-20 minutes on low heat, then strain thoroughly and pour into a container (small basin, ladle) with warm water. It is recommended to add sea salt to this bath. This remedy for itching in the intimate area perfectly eliminates pathological symptoms if used twice a day for a week.

Recipe 2 . Basil decoction

Pour 50 g of basil into half a liter of hot water and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. After removing from the heat, the decoction must be cooled and thoroughly cleaned of plant parts. You need to take 100 ml four times a day until the symptoms of itching disappear.

Recipe 3 . Aloe based product

Fresh aloe leaves must be crushed with a knife or blender to a pulp (you can put them through a meat grinder) and squeeze out the juice from the resulting mass. Soak ordinary tampons in the liquid and insert them into the vagina overnight. This will stimulate the regeneration of damaged organ tissue and eliminate genital itching.

Recipe 4 . Douching with iodine-saline solution

To prepare the solution, dilute 10 drops of iodine, 10 g of salt and the same amount of soda in 1000 ml of warm water. The mixture must be thoroughly stirred until smooth. It is recommended to douche with the resulting composition twice a day (in the morning and evening) for a week. The product has several types of action at once, including drying, disinfection, and antifungal effect.

Recipe 5 . Soda solution

Dilute a tablespoon of soda in water and douche twice a day until the symptoms of the disease completely disappear. The product will relieve inflammation and disinfect affected areas of the skin and mucous membranes inside and outside the genital organs.

Recipe 6 . Consumption of fermented milk products

Fermented milk products perfectly restore the balance of vaginal microflora, normalize the condition of its mucous membranes and eliminate symptoms of itching. It is their daily use that allows you to remove discomfort and restore microflora.

Traditional medicine recipes can be used only after the permission of the attending physician.

Itching of the vulva or vagina can occur in any woman at different periods of life, at any age. Most often, redness and itching in the vagina are combined with the appearance of wounds from scratching, and this is already a provoking factor for possible infection by pathogenic pathogens, leading to inflammation with the formation of ulcers.

A healthy woman who observes intimate hygiene should not have any unpleasant sensations, and in the case where burning and itching appears, in no case should you engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication, you should urgently undergo examination by a gynecologist. Because treatment with folk remedies without establishing the true cause that caused the discomfort is unacceptable, stupid and reckless. Only a doctor, based on test results, will make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Itching in the vaginal area is not a disease, but only a symptom of a dozen different pathological conditions of the female body, indicating that some kind of malfunction has occurred in the body, the development of some disease. Only by finding out which of them arose in this case can you take action. Without a clear diagnosis based on test results, you cannot use douching or use medications in suppositories, ointments, creams (see how to do it).

This will change the clinical picture and the results of subsequent tests will be false, which may lead to inadequate treatment and worsening of the condition. If a woman experiences itching, white, cheesy discharge, an increase in the amount of discharge, or discharge with a fishy odor that lasts more than 3 days, she should definitely consult a doctor. The causes of discomfort can be different - a sexually transmitted disease, an allergic reaction, or the body’s reaction to constant long-term stress.

How to prepare for a visit to the gynecologist?

You should not use any medications in the form of suppositories or sprays 1-2 days before the visit
You should abstain from sexual intercourse for 1-2 days
You should not use antibacterial products for intimate hygiene 1-2 days before visiting a doctor, especially if you douche.
On the eve of visiting a doctor, in the evening it is necessary to toilet the external genitalia with regular, preferably baby soap and warm water.
It is better not to urinate 2-3 hours before the visit.

The doctor will conduct an examination, take a bacterial culture for anaerobes, aerobes, and fungi, determine sensitivity to antimicrobial agents, and refer you for PCR diagnostics, RIF and ELISA for sexually transmitted infections. In addition, it is advisable to take a stool test for worm eggs and. This must be done to establish an accurate diagnosis. Only on the basis of complaints of vaginal itching, the causes of which are different, the doctor cannot make a diagnosis without additional research.

The main causes of severe itching in the vagina

All possible reasons can be divided into three groups:

Gynecological diseases
Other external and internal factors

Gynecological diseases

Burning and itching in the vagina are symptoms of almost any infectious process in the genital area. Diseases caused by opportunistic microorganisms - their presence in the vaginal microflora normally does not cause discomfort, but when provoking factors occur, they multiply, which leads to inflammation, these include:

Candidiasis of the vaginal mucosa

This inflammation is caused by the yeast fungus Candida (Candida albicans or Monilia), it is also called thrush, yeast colpitis. In addition to severe itching and burning, it is characterized by thick, abundant, curdled, white discharge ().

Bacterial vaginitis, colpitis, vulvovaginitis

When there is an active growth of opportunistic bacteria in the vaginal microflora, most often gardnerella, in addition to unpleasant itching, can be bothered by E. coli or coccal infections - these infections often occur as mixed ones, that is, candidiasis, gardnerellosis, and others develop infections. Before menstruation, discomfort usually intensifies.

Allergy to sperm

Sometimes married women who have only a single partner experience vaginal itching after unprotected intercourse due to an allergic reaction to the husband's sperm. This happens quite rarely and is manifested by burning, redness, itching of the external genitalia after sexual intercourse. An allergy to sperm, as well as incompatibility of the microflora of husband and wife, can be a serious problem for a married couple, as it causes discomfort in the woman, suspicion of infidelity, and sexually transmitted diseases in each other. However, the irritating component can be the sperm protein itself, as well as possible food products and medications that the beloved man takes. To clarify this cause of itching, you should take special allergy tests for your husband’s sperm.

Sexual infections

There are also a lot of hidden sexually transmitted infections, which may not show any symptoms for a long time, but when the immune system is weakened, with an exacerbation of concomitant chronic diseases or previous viral infections, they manifest themselves as minor discomfort, burning, itching. This is possible even if questionable sexual contact took place a long time ago, and unpleasant symptoms arose much later. These STIs include:

Venereal diseases— The Russian Ministry of Health identifies 5 main sexually transmitted diseases, many of which are common in some southern resort countries: gonorrhea, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, chancroid, donovanosis.
, which very often has a chronically recurrent nature.
Trichomoniasis, which is also characterized by an unpleasant fishy odor and greenish or yellow-green foamy discharge.
Ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, such discomfort is also a characteristic feature for them.
Genital herpes, in which, in addition to severe itching around the vagina, painful rashes caused by the herpes virus cause concern.
Genital warts or genital warts is a viral disease that occurs in the genital area in the form of skin outgrowths, condylomas, the causative agent of which is the human papilloma virus (see).
As a complication of STDs, cervicitis, enometritis, and urethritis can occur. Cervicitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervix, either due to an STI or occurring after an injury. Endometritis is an inflammation of the uterus; in these diseases, unpleasant sensations in the external genitalia occur due to the release of exudate, which has an irritating effect on the walls of the vagina. Urethritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urethra, which in addition to itching occurs.

Diseases in older women

The following list of gynecological pathologies is associated with other diseases that may occur in women of reproductive age, but are most often recorded in women over 45 years of age, during menopause:

Kraurosis of the vulva

This is a progressive chronic atrophic process on the mucous membrane and skin of the vulva, associated with age-related changes. This disease is accompanied by dryness, itching at the entrance to the vagina, sclerotic changes in the clitoris, small and large labia, and vaginal stenosis (see).

Atrophy of the vaginal mucosa

Dryness of the vagina, labia and tingling, burning sensation can occur with atrophic processes that appear with age in women. In menopausal women, the glands already secrete much less lubricant, the vaginal mucosa becomes more sensitive, discomfort, pain and itching appear during and after sex. Most often, mucosal atrophy in women begins during menopause, when the vaginal tissue becomes thinner. ( , ). It can also occur against the background of autoimmune diseases (see).

Urogenital fistulas

They can occur after a cesarean section, after childbirth and other gynecological or urological operations. If urogenital fistulas form, this leads to inflammation of the vagina from exposure to urine during urination.

Benign or malignant tumors of the uterus, cervix or vagina

These are polyps, fibroids, fibroids, Gartner's cyst, oncological pathologies of the uterus, cervix, vagina or ovaries ().

Diseases not related to gynecology

Intoxication, which occurs with almost any infectious disease, can affect all organs and systems of the body, including the vaginal mucosa, as well as:

Any allergic disease, allergic skin rash, dermatitis in the genital area can cause itching around the vagina.
Itching of the genitals can be a symptom of diabetes (see).

If, after visiting a gynecologist, no pathological inflammatory processes are detected in an older woman, no, diabetes mellitus should be excluded; for this, it is enough to take a sugar test ().

Stress, overwork

One of the reasons may be nervous fatigue, depression, stress, or any prolonged emotional overload in particularly sensitive, anxious women. Mental disorders, serious diseases of the nervous system, such as peripheral or central neuropathy, and any other brain lesions can also provoke itching.

Diseases of the liver, kidneys, thyroid gland

Impaired thyroid function, liver disease (hepatitis), kidney or blood disease (leukemia), anemia, can affect the entire body, including causing discomfort in the perineum.

Helminthiasis or pubic lice

Sometimes helminthiasis causes unpleasant itching both in the anus and in the vestibule of the vagina, so a test for helminth eggs should also be taken during a comprehensive examination (,). Pubic lice may also contribute to this symptom.

Digestive diseases

Diseases of the digestive system, intestinal dysbiosis, external and internal hemorrhoids, anal fissures, can cause pain, burning and mild itching near the vagina, since the anus and vulva are nearby ().

Cystitis

Cystitis, which is a common disease in women, often combined with sexually transmitted infections, candidiasis and often with pyelonephritis, can also cause skin itching of the labia and vagina ().

Blood diseases

In the human body, everything is interconnected, that any disease can affect seemingly unrelated organs; a failure in one system causes disruptions in the functioning of the entire organism. Especially if it is an oncological disease, for example, leukemia, lymphagranulomatosis, as well as cancer of the female genital organs, it may even be in its early stage, which does not yet manifest itself symptomatically, but is already having an effect, causing discomfort in the perineum ().

Other reasons

Listed below are external triggers that contribute to the appearance of itching. If, after eliminating them for 3 days, symptoms of discomfort persist, you should definitely visit a gynecologist:

With uncomfortable, tight, synthetic, rough, low-quality underwear, a greenhouse effect is created or permanent injury to the perineum occurs.
Due to exposure to too low or high temperatures, that is, hypothermia or overheating.
External irritants can be various aggressive chemicals, additives, fragrances found in deodorants, soaps, shower gels, pads, toilet paper, tampons, pads, dyes for clothes, washing powders. There can be an allergic reaction to any aggressive substance.
A woman may also have an inadequate reaction to vaginal contraceptive pills (see), creams, suppositories.
Individual intolerance occurs in some women to the lubrication of condoms, to the lubricants or spermicides with which they are treated, as well as to the latex itself from which they are made, this is the cause of itching in the vagina after sex.
Powerful stress and prolonged nervous tension provoke any malfunction in the body.
Violation of the rules of intimate hygiene - a woman should wash her external genitalia without soap at least once a day (preferably in the morning and evening), as well as before and after sexual intercourse.
Poor nutrition. Addiction to diets (vitamin deficiencies and lack of microelements weaken the immune system, impair the regenerative properties of the skin and mucous membranes, which leads to microcracks), as well as the consumption of semi-finished products and fast food, which are rich in dyes, preservatives, stabilizers, leads to allergic reactions. And also a passion for sweet, spicy, pickled foods can provoke itching.

How to get rid of discomfort?

To get rid of itching in the vagina, first, you should eliminate all possible provoking factors - shower products, hygiene products, washing powder, contraceptives, change underwear, etc. Listen to your body; being attentive to yourself can help in identifying the external cause. If discomfort persists, you should consult a gynecologist.

It is especially important to be examined by a doctor after questionable sexual contact without using reliable methods of protection against infections - condoms. It should be borne in mind that hidden infections and STDs are very insidious and can manifest themselves a very long time after infection. In the chronic course of these diseases, it is characteristic that itching intensifies during ovulation and menstruation, and decreases after menstruation. Treatment of STDs is carried out only after a final diagnosis - these are antibiotics, immune stimulants, normalizing the microflora of the vagina and intestines, vitamin therapy, and physiotherapy.

Abundant cheesy discharge, burning, itching, intensifying after sexual intercourse or taking hygiene procedures, can also be a sign of which. In our article you can learn about the disadvantages and advantages of all known suppositories for candidiasis.

In the presence of atrophic changes in the mucosa, which arise as a result of a lack of estrogen and are accompanied by dryness, itching and burning of the vagina, estrogen drugs are usually prescribed.

Many recommend supplementing treatment with douching - this is a very controversial issue, since most gynecologists are categorically against any use of potassium permanganate and other solutions. Read more about douching, its harms and benefits, and whether to do it at all in our article.

Itching in the vagina- this is an unpleasant specific sensation in the vagina. Itching in the vagina can be due to physiological reasons, appear and disappear on its own. Sometimes, to overcome discomfort in the genital area, it is enough to resort to simple rules of personal hygiene, change your diet, or refuse to wear tight underwear or underwear made of synthetic materials.

It is perhaps difficult to find many women who have not encountered this unpleasant sensation at least once (and more often, much more) in their lives. Every year, about 10% of gynecological patients visit the doctor's office, whose leading complaint is itching in the genital area (vagina and vulva).

Slight itching in the vagina before menstruation in healthy women can be due to physiological reasons and does not require drug correction. Pathological itching of the genital organs is part of a complex of symptoms of a large number of gynecological diseases or may accompany extragenital pathology.

The most common factors that provoke the feeling of itching in the vagina include general or local inflammatory and infectious processes and allergic reactions, as well as structural changes during the decline of hormonal function in elderly patients.

The skin and mucous membranes of the vulva and vagina are supplied with a large number of nerve endings. They are located shallowly and react to any mechanical or chemical influence of external or internal factors. The itching sensation is a reaction to such irritations. It may appear as:

- local itching that occurs directly at the site of exposure to the provoking factor and, as a rule, quickly disappears after its elimination;

- extensive (diffused) itching, spreading far beyond the primary focus of irritation of the nerve endings and causing changes in the skin and mucous membranes over a large area.

Clinical manifestations of itching of the vulva and vagina will be more pronounced, the larger the area of the “damage”.

The intensity of itching varies widely: the patient may only be bothered by a slight itching in the vagina and/or skin of the external genitalia, and sometimes it becomes unbearable and forces her to seek medical help. Genital itching can be constant or episodic; it often appears at night and is accompanied by neurotic disorders. The disease can last a very long time and cannot always be cured in a short time.

Treatment of itching of the vagina and vulva is based on the treatment of the disease that caused it. Often, in order to find its exact cause (and sometimes there are several of them), a large complex of diagnostic measures is required, including not only gynecological examinations.

With the right therapeutic tactics, the disease can be eliminated. Relapses of genital itching are common and are associated with relapses of the underlying disease.

Causes of vaginal itching

Itching of the vagina and vulva is not always associated with serious pathological causes. Sometimes poor hygiene (or lack thereof) contributes to the excessive proliferation of unwanted microorganisms in the vulva and vagina, which can cause itching. Mechanical irritation of the skin of the vulva by tight underwear causes local mechanical damage (abrasions, irritation), and underwear made of synthetic fibers does not allow the skin to “breathe,” preventing the evaporation of sweat, and also provokes itching.

Increased sweating in the skin of the intimate area contributes to local irritation and itching in the vagina. This happens in hot weather or in winter if you have to wear warm, thick clothing.

Aggressive or irritating chemicals included in intimate hygiene products (soap, gel, etc.) can provoke a local allergic reaction accompanied by itching.

Itching in the vagina, which appears after intimacy, occurs due to vaginal trauma due to insufficient amount of vaginal mucus (“lubrication”).

Unpleasant sensations in the genital area, discomfort and itching can accompany hormonal dysfunction in the body. Physiological itching in the vagina before menstruation is caused by changes in the hormonal function of the ovaries and fluctuations in the composition of the normal vaginal microflora.

Itching in the genital area can appear due to stress in absolutely healthy women. Stress changes skin sensitivity and distorts the response of nerve endings located in the genital area.

As a rule, physiological causes provoke moderate, short-lived genital itching, which lasts no more than three days.

The causes of pathological itching in the vagina depend on several factors. One of them is the patient's age. In children, itching in the vaginal and vulvar areas accompanies inflammatory diseases () often of nonspecific etiology. Inflammation can arise in the vulva and ascend into the vagina, or develop primarily in the vagina and descend to the tissue of the vulva. Also, genital itching in children can be caused by poor personal hygiene, the presence of foreign bodies in the vagina, worms or urinary tract infections. Local or general allergic diseases and infections in children provoke itching in the genital area much less frequently.

Much less often in children, itching in the genital area can be directly related to local and general allergic diseases and childhood infections.

Any undesirable changes in the vagina occur against the background of changes in the constancy of the acid-base balance. In the vagina of healthy women, the pH level varies between 3.8 – 4.4, that is, the environment is acidic. The constancy of the environment is maintained by lactobacilli, which produce lactic acid. The acidic environment does not allow pathogenic flora to multiply and prevents the development of inflammation. If the acidity changes, pathogenic microflora begins to multiply, displacing lactobacilli and creating favorable conditions for the development of infection.

In adult women, among the causes of genital itching, infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genital tract, both specific and nonspecific, come first. In such diseases, itching is accompanied by pathological discharge (leucorrhoea), which contains a large number of pathogenic bacteria that irritate the vaginal mucosa and cause itching. Of the specific pathogens, itching in the vagina is most often caused by Trichomonas.

The most common cause of severe genital itching is a fungal infection of the mucous membranes of the vulva and vagina (“” or candidiasis). Candidiasis is one of the most common complications of pregnancy.

Short-term slight itching in the vagina most often implies an infectious-inflammatory process.

In older women, itching in the vagina and vulva is associated with degenerative processes in the tissues of the genital organs against the background of fading hormonal function of the ovaries. Tissue atrophy during this period contributes to the development of inflammatory processes. A decrease in estrogen levels provokes a change in the vaginal microflora against the background of a decrease in the number of lactobacilli and an increase in pH (acidity) of the environment. In addition, advanced age in healthy women may itself be a cause of itchy skin (senile pruritus).

Dystrophic diseases of the vulva (kraurosis, leukoplakia, lichen sclerosus) damage the nerve endings of the external genitalia and are almost always accompanied by genital itching.

Itching of the vagina and vulva is provoked by non-gynecological diseases - urinary tract diseases (cystitis, urethritis), endocrine disorders, allergic and skin diseases, mental illness or neuroses.

Symptoms of vaginal itching

When the first signs of discomfort or itching in the area of the external genitalia and vagina appear, women do not seek to see a doctor and try to cope with the problem on their own. They often succeed, and such symptoms never return. If symptoms of genital itching persist or worsen after three days of onset, you should seek professional help.

Diagnosis of the causes of itching of the vulva and vagina begins with a detailed conversation with the patient. Often, a woman can clearly indicate the situation after which genital itching appeared - taking medications, using a new cosmetic hygiene product, stress, and so on. If itching is accompanied by atypical discharge, a burning sensation, pain during sexual intercourse, the presence of an inflammatory process in the vagina can be assumed, and if these symptoms occur after unprotected sexual intercourse, they may indicate the presence of a specific sexually transmitted infection.

Sometimes inflammatory itching in the vagina is combined with a burning sensation or discomfort when urinating. Such symptoms are associated with the spread of inflammation to the urethra.

Often itching in the vaginal area accompanies diabetes mellitus, pathology of the biliary and/or urinary tract. Typically, patients are informed that they have such diseases or have already had a history of episodes of vaginal itching. In this case, further examination should be carried out jointly with doctors of related specialties.

Intensity and duration are of great clinical importance in diagnosing the causes of vaginal itching. Itching can occur periodically or bother a woman constantly, intensify at night, and be accompanied by pain. A short-term episode of vaginal itching indicates a possible infectious process.

Patients with vaginal itching appear anxious and nervous, especially if the symptoms of vaginal itching are severe or haunt them at night.

A gynecological examination of a patient with vaginal itching helps to determine the presence of inflammation and/or infection and to study the nature of the discharge. With inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis), hyperemia and thickening of the mucous membrane of its walls are visible, as well as an increase in the amount of discharge. The nature of the discharge varies from clear or whitish to purulent, sometimes it has an unpleasant odor. With candidiasis, the discharge is abundant and has a specific cheesy appearance.

In postmenopausal women, slight itching in the vagina and/or vulva area is accompanied by a feeling of dryness or burning. The decrease in vaginal discharge in this age group is associated with physiological reasons. Upon examination, the vaginal mucosa looks atrophic (thin and pale), there is very little discharge, such mucosa is easily injured and does not cope well with local inflammation.

In all patients with genital itching, it is necessary to study the composition of the vaginal microflora, especially in the presence of heavy, uncharacteristic discharge. For this purpose, smears and cultures from the vagina are studied. If a specific process is suspected, tests for sexually transmitted infections are prescribed.

Significant assistance in determining the nature of changes in the vagina is provided by express diagnostics of the pH of the vaginal environment using special indicator strips. Deviations of the pH value from the norm are a sign of trouble.

Vaginal itching during pregnancy

Genital itching that occurs during pregnancy may have causes similar to those outside pregnancy:

- violation of hygiene rules: during pregnancy, the amount of physiological vaginal discharge may be increased, this requires additional hygiene procedures;

— allergic reactions to food, household chemicals, cosmetics, medications and much more;

- neurotic disorders associated with fear of childbirth or caused by quantitative hormonal changes;

- sexually transmitted infections, for example;

— extragenital pathology (endocrine and dishormonal disorders);

- uncomfortable, tight underwear, especially made from synthetic fibers;

- climatic factor: too hot weather, causing excessive sweating in the genital area, or low winter air temperatures, forcing you to wear a lot of warm clothes;

- excessive amounts of salts in the urine, which irritate the vulva area when urinating, and subsequently inflammation can spread to the vaginal mucosa.

Sometimes the cause itself provokes itching in the vulva and vagina. It should be noted that pregnancy is not always a pathology. Changing hormone levels affect the elasticity of the skin; as the size of the abdomen and chest increases, areas of stretching form on the skin, which can cause itchy skin, including the genital area.

Such physiological phenomena must be distinguished from manifestations of toxicosis in the second half of pregnancy. An increase in the amount of estrogen in the blood of a pregnant woman leads to changes in the functioning of the liver and biliary system. Excessive production of bile acids and their stagnation (cholestasis) lead to skin itching, and sometimes itching in the vaginal area. To confirm this cause of genital itching, special tests are performed - liver function tests.

The most common cause of vaginal itching in pregnant patients is vaginal candidiasis. Vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women occurs three times more often than in non-pregnant women and is important in obstetric practice. It is an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes caused by excessive proliferation of a fungal infection (Candida fungi) in the vagina against the background of a physiological decrease in the number of lactobacilli. Fungal flora is detected during examination in every third pregnant woman. It cannot be called a harmless infection, since it is its fault that intrauterine infection of the fetus occurs and complications arise during pregnancy and childbirth. Diagnosis of candidiasis is quite simple: a simple test for the presence of fungal flora in the vagina, even in the absence of clear clinical symptoms, allows you to make the correct diagnosis.

Severe itching in the vagina

The intensity of vaginal itching is not a valuable diagnostic criterion, because it relates to the subjective sensations of the patient and depends on the individual reaction of the skin and mucous membranes to irritation. Some patients characterize even minor manifestations of discomfort in the genital area as significant.

However, patients with vulvar kraurosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and trichomoniasis most often complain of intense itching in the vulva and vagina.

Kraurosis of the vulva develops in postmenopausal women and is associated with ovarian hypofunction. Under the influence of hormonal depletion, atrophic changes in the vulva occur, causing itching. The process, as a rule, does not spread to the vagina and is localized exclusively outside.

Trichomonas colpitis causes a short-term feeling of intense itching in the vagina and is accompanied by copious pus-like discharge with an unpleasant odor reminiscent of fish. A distinctive feature of trichomoniasis discharge is its watery, “foamy” appearance. The appearance of such symptoms is preceded by unprotected sexual intercourse.

The most common cause of severe vaginal itching is vaginal candidiasis (“thrush”). In some cases, itching is the only symptom. As a rule, itching with candidiasis is constant and intensifies in the evening or at night. Often such itching causes insomnia and neurotic disorders. Diagnosing a fungal infection in the vagina is not difficult. Characteristic symptoms are abundant, thick with an admixture of white “crumbs” or “flakes”, as well as whitish deposits on the surface of the mucous membrane of the vulva and vagina. In the acute stage of inflammation, mechanical removal of plaque is accompanied by damage to the mucous membranes and bleeding.

Candidiasis can occur in a mild and chronic form. The less pathological process is present in the vagina, the fewer symptoms it causes. This disease tends to recur.

Treatment for vaginal itching

Isolated treatment of vaginal itching is not carried out due to ineffectiveness - if the true cause of genital itching is not eliminated, it will reappear.

In some cases, itching in the vaginal area is not the result of a serious pathology and can be eliminated on its own without medical intervention. For example, if unpleasant sensations in the vagina appeared after using a new hygiene product, to eliminate them it is enough not to use this product anymore. Before menstruation, itching in the vaginal area requires additional hygiene procedures, and if it appears after intimacy, you need to think about additional “lubrication.”

Traditional medicine helps eliminate the phenomenon of genital itching caused by physiological reasons. Sitz baths or douching are used with herbal decoctions that have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties (chamomile, calendula, etc.). If the cause of the disease is a stressful situation, the use of infusions and decoctions of valerian, motherwort or peony internally will help cope with vaginal itching.

If the symptoms of itching do not disappear on their own within three to four days, it is necessary to establish its exact cause and select the necessary treatment. Therapy is prescribed individually after a complete examination.

In case of inflammatory and infectious processes, adequate general and local antibacterial therapy should be carried out. Vaginal itching in elderly patients requires the use of anti-inflammatory and hormonal agents. A fungal infection requires the use of antifungal drugs.

For local treatment, agents are used in the form of ointments, suppositories, creams or douching solutions. Systemic drugs (tablets) are used in the most difficult cases.

Vaginal itching due to extragenital pathology requires treatment of the underlying disease by a therapist.