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Vaginal itch can arise from a variety of conditions including infections and diseases. The most common conditions leading to vaginal itch are:
1. Contact Vulvitis – a skin problem arising from contact with chemicals that cause an allergy. Such chemicals can be present in synthetic clothing, soaps, deodorants, bath oils, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, vaginal contraceptives, perfumed or dyed toilet paper and hot tub or swimming pool chemicals.
2. Atrophic Vaginitis – a skin condition that occurs mainly in post menopausal women and is caused by a lack of estrogen. Such estrogen deficiency leads to a thinning of the vaginal skin which can then more easily be irritated.
3. Bacterial Vaginosis – also known as Gardnerella vaginitis , results from an overgrowth of certain bacteria which lead to a vaginal infection, which in turn gives rise to vaginal itch.
4. Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia, - the presence of abnormal cells in the vulvar skin, resulting in vaginal itch and irritation. It can occur in one area or several areas in the vulvar skin at the same time
5. Lichen Sclerosis - a skin condition which can occur on any part of the body including the vulva where the main symptom is vaginal itch and irritation. Lichen sclerosis can manifest itself as redness in the skin, an area of thin white skin or sometimes an area of thick white skin.
6. Vestibulitis - an inflammation of the skin and the mucous secreting glands found in the skin. The mucous secreting glands are called the lesser vestibular glands. Vestibulitis may include all the area around the opening of the vagina but is most commonly seen in the lower part.
7. Yeast Infection – this is caused by a fungus. Certain types of yeast are present in harmless amounts in the vagina. Under certain conditions, an overgrowth of yeast can occur leading to vaginal itch and irritation.
For patients who have had a previous vaginal itch due to a yeast infection and are confident the symptoms are the same as they were during that previous infection, self-treatment with a nonprescription medication may be effective.
The risk of self-treatment is that the symptoms may be caused by a type of vaginal infection other than a yeast infection, such as a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Nonprescription treatment can be tried for vaginal itching and irritation, but if pelvic pain, fever, or burning with urination are present, medical advice should be sought.
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