Genital Itching

Genital itching is when your vagina (birth canal) or the area outside the opening to the vagina (called your vulva) feels scratchy and itchy.

Most women have a little genital itching every once in a while that goes away on its own.

Genital itching is a problem when it doesn’t go away or keeps coming back. Genital itching can be serious if you also have:

• Pelvic pain

• Fluid from your vagina that looks or smells unusual (abnormal vaginal discharge)

• Vaginal infections, including yeast infections

• STIs (sexually transmitted infections), such as gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia

• Creams, powders, soaps, or other items that irritate your vulva

• After you've stopped having your period (menopause), having a thinner and drier vagina

See a doctor right away if you have genital itching with pelvic pain or abnormal vaginal discharge. See a doctor when you can if your itching lasts more than a few days but you don't have pain or abnormal discharge.

Doctors will ask questions about your genital itching and any other symptoms.

Doctors typically do a pelvic exam. During a pelvic exam, your doctor looks inside your vagina, holding it open with a small instrument called a speculum. Doctors may use a cotton swab to take a sample of any vaginal discharge (fluid) for testing.

Doctors treat the cause of your itching, if they can. For example, if you have a yeast infection, doctors may give you antifungal medicines.

They may also suggest you:

• Keep your vulva as clean as possible

• Put ice packs on your vulva

• Soak in a warm bathtub

• Stop using creams, powders, soaps, or other items that irritate your vulva

If your itching doesn't get better, doctors may suggest medicines (such as a corticosteroid cream).