Itching in the intimate area: causes, prevention, elimination

Itching in the intimate area is an extremely unpleasant phenomenon. A woman, faced with him, can no longer think about anything else, becomes restless and nervous. Itching occurs due to irritation of nerve endings, and the reasons can be completely different - from improper care and hygiene to chronic diseases. How to recognize them in time and immediately begin treatment? You will find these and many other questions in the article.

Itching in a woman’s intimate area: causes

Itching in the genital area often appears suddenly and thus worries the woman very much. Constant scratching only aggravates the problem, causing swelling and microtrauma on the delicate skin of the intimate area.

Factors causing discomfort may vary. Perhaps to eliminate them it will be enough to use a standard antiseptic, for example, Miramistin. But if the itching does not go away for quite a long time, and discharge is added to it, this is a good reason to consult a gynecologist.

The method of eliminating the problem depends on the characteristics of the symptoms. Here are the most common factors influencing the appearance of itching in the perineum:

1. The most common cause is the fungal disease candidiasis, the same thrush that regularly spoils the mood of thousands of women. In fact, this disease is practically not dangerous, although unpleasant. It occurs against the background of reduced immunity or the use of antibiotics. Characteristic signs include itching and burning of the labia and vagina, a sour odor and white discharge in the form of flakes.
2. The second common cause of itching is hygiene illiteracy. It is quite possible that scratched skin is not a terrible disease at all, but just the result of insufficient care or improper depilation, which causes irritation, ingrown hairs and small pustules. To prevent this from happening, remove hair in the intimate area only after thoroughly steaming the skin.
3. Inflamed skin and itching are also symptoms of allergic reactions to intimate cosmetics, washing powders, shaving products or vaginal suppositories. In this case, antihistamines will help.
4. Poorly chosen underwear, too tight, made from cheap synthetic materials can rub and make you want to scratch your irritated skin.
5. Many sexually transmitted diseases begin with itching and burning, for example, chlamydia and ureaplasmosis. If watery discharge is added to the discomfort, then most likely it is genital herpes.
6. Itching can occur due to hormonal imbalance in menopausal women. The fact is that estrogen levels drop sharply during this period, the vaginal walls become thinner and dryness and discomfort occur.
7. Itching while carrying a child is also a fairly common occurrence, because during pregnancy a woman experiences a hormonal shock, the vaginal microflora begins to change, all this contributes to the development of fungal and bacterial infections.
8. Symptoms of itching can occur as a result of stress and nervous overload.

Itching in the intimate area without odor

Itching and discomfort in the genital area in a woman is not always accompanied by other symptoms - a foul odor or suspicious discharge. But it still distracts you from everyday life and prevents you from focusing on solving important issues.

The reasons for this phenomenon can be external and internal. Factors influencing the occurrence of itching upon contact with something:

1. Insufficient hygiene measures. The vaginal mucosa is easily irritated and inflamed due to direct contact with secretions, feces and urine. In addition, sweat glands and folds are located in this area (especially in obese women); during the hot season, it is necessary to constantly wash the genitals with warm water using intimate hygiene products or chamomile decoction.
2. Shaving and depilation are real stress for the delicate skin. Often girls do not follow the rules for hair removal, shave dry skin or Sugaring is performed incorrectly and waxing. Microcracks, scratches and ingrown hairs appear in the intimate area, which irritates the nerve endings and causes unbearable itching and a desire to scratch the affected area.
3. Many women abuse wearing tight and uncomfortable underwear - thongs. Thin ropes rub and there is an additional threat of transferring bacteria from the anus to the vagina.
4. Excessive cleanliness can also cause itching; do not wash the genitals with soap or gel more than twice a day, otherwise the protective film will be removed and the natural acid-base balance of the vagina will be disrupted, leather will begin to peel, itch and itch.
5. Feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads) often contain fragrances, which becomes a factor in the occurrence of allergies.

Internal causes are directly related to the processes that occur in a woman’s body:

1. Bacterial infections and STIs.
2. Discomfort in the intimate area, swelling of the labia often appears in the last menstrual cycle. This is due to the fact that before menstruation the level of the hormone estrogen drops sharply.
3. Hormonal dysfunctions, diabetes.
4. Liver and kidney diseases.
5. Allergy.

Itching and discharge in the intimate area

Almost all sexually transmitted infections are accompanied by itching, burning, discharge of various types and a foul odor.

Pathogen gonorrhea is a protozoan parasite - gonococcus, penetrating into the body during sexual intercourse, it can infect a woman’s genitourinary system and cause urethritis, inflammation of the appendages and uterus. It can be almost asymptomatic and lead to complications of varying severity, including infertility.

Its important features:

• itching and burning;
• discharge yellow, white, brown, mixed with blood;
• pain and discomfort when urinating.

Chlamydia is a disease caused by the microorganism chlamydia, the most common infection transmitted during sexual contact.

Different:

• severe burning and itching;
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• bleeding, which can easily be confused with menstruation.

In the absence of proper treatment, chronic chlamydia leads to serious inflammatory processes and infertility.

Genital herpes is also transmitted during sexual intercourse; its causative agent is herpes types 1 and 2. It is relatively easy to identify it by the characteristic blistering formations throughout the intimate area; this is very important, since the consequence of an advanced infection is brain damage and blindness.

Other symptoms:

• inflamed, itchy genitals;
• pain and burning when going to the toilet and during sex;
• high temperature, general weakness.

Trichomoniasis (caused by Trichomonas vaginalis), unlike other STIs, does not have pronounced symptoms, but is often accompanied by:

• unpleasant itching;
• cramps and pain when urinating;
• copious yellow and green purulent discharge.

How to treat itching in the intimate area

According to statistics, every third woman seeks help from a doctor with complaints of thrush symptoms. Usually this is itching and burning, thick white discharge, similar to curdled flakes, and the smell of sour milk.

Candidiasis is not a sexually transmitted disease; its presence is associated with the activity of a fungus that is always present in the vaginal microflora, however, it only makes itself felt when a woman’s immunity decreases under the influence of stress, taking antibiotics or a hormonal surge.

Usually thrush it begins suddenly, an unbearable itching suddenly appears in the perineum, a constant desire to scratch the affected area, the itching intensifies at night. Then other signs appear - inflamed labia, redness, discomfort during sex. The body's defenses weaken at this time, it is easy to introduce a bacterial infection into the vagina, then the smell of rotten fish will be added to other symptoms.

All these signs are also typical for other diseases, including STIs, so you should not self-medicate, but immediately get a smear from a gynecologist.

Treatment is selected by the doctor individually, especially since it differs for men and women. For mild cases of the disease, it is enough to use local medications - creams, suppositories and vaginal tablets (Clotrimazole, Pimafucin, Miconazole). The course ranges from one to seven days.

Along with local treatment, tablets (Flucostat, Diflucan, Fluconazole) are prescribed, which should be taken once. In case of relapses, the regimen is selected for each individual case.

Itching in the intimate area during pregnancy

During pregnancy a woman experiences a powerful hormonal surge, the vaginal microflora changes, restructuring occurs in the body, which cannot but affect sensations and well-being.

The causes of itching during pregnancy can be the same as in normal conditions. It is worth carefully monitoring all changes so as not to miss a dangerous disease that will cause complications and additional risk to the life of the mother and child.

The emotional state of a woman in this position is very unstable; any trouble can cause nervous stress. Irritability, fear of childbirth, anxiety - all this can aggravate the condition of a pregnant woman and provoke the development of certain ailments, including itching in the intimate area.

To prevent the occurrence of itching and burning, even before pregnancy you need to conduct an examination and eliminate existing problems. Self-medication during this period can become fatal, because most drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

Relieve itching in the intimate area

As it turned out, there can be many causes of itching; only a doctor and appropriate tests will help establish an accurate diagnosis. However, it happens that there is no opportunity to contact a specialist, and the discomfort becomes unbearable. The following methods will help you relieve symptoms and provide first aid:

1. A solution of Chlorhexidine or Miramistin has antiseptic properties and relieves itching and inflammation in the intimate area. They must be used at least three times a day.
2. Vaginal suppositories Livarol are recommended by doctors as antifungal drug and a remedy for the treatment and prevention of vaginitis, course - minimum 5 days.
3. Nystatin rectal suppositories are an antifungal agent that can be used even before the cause of the disease is determined. The course lasts 5-10 days.
4. As an ambulance for itching and burning, use aloe; it should be crushed and the resulting mixture wrapped in a sterile bandage. This kind of tampon is placed in the vagina before bed and removed in the morning.
5. Chamomile decoction is a universal remedy for skin irritation and inflammation. It can be used to wash the genitals and use it as a douching solution.