What is 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:
Fluid from your vagina that looks or smells unusual (abnormal vaginal discharge)
What causes genital itching?
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
When should I see a doctor?
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.
What will happen when I go to the doctor?
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.
How do doctors treat genital itching?
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).
