Prevention Vaginal irritation refers to various uncomfortable sensations affecting the vagina and surrounding area. Symptoms like painitching, burning, and dryness can develop due to infections, reactions, or other medical conditions. Depending on the underlying cause of the vaginal irritationseveral treatment options exist to help provide immediate and long-term relief.
This article discusses vaginal irritation and its causes, outlining treatment methods to relieve discomfort. Vulva Pain Pain or soreness often impacts the vulvathe external or outer part of the vagina. More specifically, this pain can affect the labia lips of the vaginaclitorisor vaginal opening. In addition to being generally uncomfortable or painful, this symptom is sometimes described as feeling sharp, stabbing, or burning.
What Causes Clitoris Itching? Burning Inside or Outside Some types of vaginal irritation can also cause a burning feeling in the vaginal area, either internally or externally.
Dysuria is a burning sensation inside the vagina that can develop due to vaginal or bladder infectionssexually transmitted infections STIsor menopause. A irritafion or stinging sensation on the outside of the vagina can happen when an allergen or product irritafion the external skin in that area.
Dryness A dip in estrogen levels around menopause often causes vaginal dryness that is uncomfortable, irritating, and painful. Irritacion hormone-related events like childbirth, breastfeedingor estrogen-based medications can also prompt this. Certain types of medications and health conditions may also cause vaginal dryness. Itching An irriyacion, itchy feeling can happen when the skin in the vaginal area becomes irritated, vavinal can be due to such factors as an infection, an allergic reaction, health conditions, or menopause.
It’s commonly concentrated around the labia or the vaginal opening and may come with other symptoms like swelling or discoloration. With or Without Discharge Vaginal irritation symptoms can develop with or without dischargea natural fluid produced by the vagina. Normal discharge irritacioj clear, white, off-white, or pale yellow and has a characteristic scent.
But the abnormal discharge that may develop due to vaginal irritation like an infection could be described as chunky, discolored, or foul-smelling. However, the best treatment option will depend on the underlying cause of the irritation, which will likely require a diagnosis from irritacion vaginal healthcare vaginxl.
Menopause After menstruation stops usually around age 50there is a substantial dip in hormone levels, which can lead to vaginal irritation and symptoms like dryness and itching. This is primarily because a lack of estrogen leads to less natural vaginal moisture. For vaginal irritation during sexual activity, experts often recommend external moisturizers made for the vulva area or lubricants for internal use.
Hormonal therapies involving estrogen can come in a topical or oral format but require a prescription from a healthcare provider. There are several treatment routes that healthcare providers often prescribe to relieve the irritation and discomfort.
These can include estrogen cream, pain-relieving topical anesthetics, certain antidepressant or anti-seizure medicationsor in-office procedures like ultrasound. Yeast Infections Yeast infections candidiasis result when there’s an overgrowth of naturally occurring fungus in the vaginal area. They’re the most common types of vaginal infections that cause vaginal irritation. To relieve the itchiness and irritation in the vulval area, yeast infections are usually treated by a medicated suppository placed inside the vagina or a prescription oral medication to clear the fungal infection.
While over-the-counter OTC treatments can be effective, experts recommend checking with a healthcare provider to ensure the underlying cause is a yeast infection. Vulvar Dermatitis Vulvar dermatitis is an inflammation of the external skin surrounding the vagina.
It often causes itching, irritation, a rash, and discoloration or redness. Depending on the severity of a particular vulvar dermatitis case, a healthcare provider might recommend a treatment plan that involves topical prescription medications, like a corticosteroid cream or tacrolimus ointment.
At-home care tips like taking an OTC oral antihistamineavoiding contact with irritants, and wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing may also help ease irritation and discomfort. Trichomoniasis One of the most common STIs is trichomoniasis. This STI often causes vaginal discharge, irritation, itchiness, discomfort, and pain while urinating. Treatment options for clearing trichomoniasis include oral prescription medications like idritacion or tinidazole. It can take up to a week after completing the course of irritadion to get relief from the irritation.
Living With Chronic Vaginal Irritation For some people, vaginal irritation can be occasional, either clearing up on its own or with a short course of treatment. But chronic vaginal irritation that lasts for three months or more can take a toll on your daily life.
The first step is seeking treatment for the cause of the irritation. If that’s still not bringing relief, or if the issue irriracion recurring, a healthcare provider may suggest the following: Avoiding physical irritants like materials or ingredients Using OTC oral or topical pain relieving medications to help ease discomfort Trying pelvic floor therapy for bladder or sexual function-related issues Looking into nerve block injections or neurotherapy to help numb the pain from vulvodynia It may help to known that vaginal irritation is quite common.
Other research estimates that more than half of all people with a vagina older than 24 will have at least one experience with vaginal irritation or discomfort. However, there are some general steps that experts recommend taking to help avoid or minimize the discomfort. These include: Using water and unscented mild soap to clean the area Wearing breathable cotton underwear Avoiding irritating ingredients in products like perfumes or body wash Keeping the site dry and changing out of bathing suits or damp clothing as soon as possible Using cool compresses to reduce irritation Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the area to protect the skin after showering Summary Vaginal irritation can include pain, a burning sensation, dryness, itching, and discharge that’s experienced in the internal or external parts of the vagina.
Infections, health conditions, reactions, STIs, and menopause can cause it. Depending on the underlying cause of vaginal irritation, treatment options to relieve the discomfort may include prescription medication from a healthcare provider. At-home remedies like keeping the area dry, avoiding irritating products, and applying cool compresses are also recommended. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vaginitis: Diagnosis baginal treatment. Am Fam Physician.
