Almost every woman encounters in her life with such an unpleasant symptom as itching in the vagina with or without secretions.But not everyone knows that the reasons for this discomfort can have a different etiology, often requiring timely and professional treatment.
In the case when a woman begins to burn, itch in the vagina, you need to urgently go to the gynecologist.
Many girls begin to use traditional methods of treatment, thereby aggravating the situation. Remember! Only a gynecologist can make a diagnosis on the basis of the results of the examination.
Causes of itching in the vagina
It is worth sharing the causes of itching in the vagina to those that are caused and not caused by the presence of any disease. To diseases accompanied by itching and burning in the vagina, are:
- vulvovaginitis;
- kraurosis of the vulva (a frequent cause of itching during menopause);
- colpitis (various etiologies, often fungal);
- bacterial vaginosis;
- allergy;
- cervicitis and endocervicitis;
- genital warts;
- genital herpes;
- thrush;
- venereal diseases (chlamydia, trichomoniasis);
- tumor diseases of the cervix and vagina;
- cancer of the external genitalia;
- urogenital fistulas;
- prolapse of sexual organs;
- diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism;
- senile atrophy of the vulva and vaginal mucosa.
Itching in the vagina, of unknown origin, accompanied by secretions, burning, pain - good reasons to apply for a comprehensive examination to a specialist. Self-treatment, without revealing the true cause of discomfort, can lead to secondary infection and a change in the clinical picture of the disease.
Physiological causes
Among the reasons not related to this or that pathology of the female reproductive system:
- Improper hygiene of the genitals, including the use of unsuitable means - soaps, gels, bath foam.
- Use of some types of contraception. For example, many women are allergic to latex, lubricants, etc.
- Permanent wearing of synthetic underwear.
- The consequence of stress.
As a rule, physiological causes provoke a moderate, short-lived genital itch, which lasts no more than three days.
Symptoms
Usually itching in the vagina can be accompanied by additional manifestations:
- itching in the labia and perineum,
- secretions of a different nature from the genital tract,
- rashes on the skin of the large labia or on mucous membranes,
- sensation of a foreign body in the region,
- the appearance of an unpleasant odor,
- pains in the lower abdomen and in the perineal zone,
- dryness in the vagina,
- bloody or spotting discharge.
The intensity of the itching may be mild, to which the woman pays attention only at rest or at bedtime, and may be intolerable, disrupting vital activity. It can be periodic and permanent, associated with menstruation or ovulation.
Allergies to sperm
Sometimes married women who have only a single partner, itching in the vagina after unprotected sexual intercourse due to an allergic reaction to the husband's sperm. It happens rarely enough and is manifested by burning, redness, itching of the external genital organs after sexual contact.
Allergy to sperm, as well as the incompatibility of the microflora of the husband and wife can be a serious problem for the family couples, because it causes discomfort in a woman, suspicion of treason, sexually transmitted diseases from each other. However, as an irritant component, there may be the sperm protein itself, and possible foods, medicines that the beloved man takes.
To clarify this cause of itching, you should give special allergic tests to your husband's sperm.
Inflammation of the mucosa
Due to the development of opportunistic microflora - the most common cause of itching in the vagina.
This includes: gardnerellez; candidiasis (thrush), which is caused by yeast Candida and is accompanied by redness and swelling, thick white curdled discharge without odor. Bacteriological vaginosis often develops as a consequence of intestinal dysbacteriosis, its sign is brown or yellow discharge with an unpleasant odor.
Climax
In older women, itching in the vagina and vulva is associated with dystrophic processes in the tissues of the genital organs against the background of extinction of the hormonal function of the ovaries. There is dryness, itching in the vagina, and its entrance. Atrophy of tissues during this period promotes the development of inflammatory processes.
A decrease in the level of estrogen provokes a change in the vaginal microflora as the number of lactobacilli decreases and the pH (acidity) of the medium increases. In addition, the elderly age in healthy women in itself can be the cause of skin itching (senile itching).
Venereal diseases
Another common cause of itching in the vagina is sexually transmitted infections:
- Chlamydia- In addition to irritation, there is an appearance of secretions from the genital tract with the smell of fish, the disease often recurs;
- Trichomoniasis- burning in the vagina and frothy greenish discharge are observed;
- Genital herpes- In addition to worrying about the itching, a rash appears;
- Ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis- itching is one of the first signs of the presence of the disease;
- Genital warts or genital warts- the disease develops against the backdrop of HPV activity, in addition to itching, there is an appearance in the genital area of skin outgrowths or condylomas;
- Syphilis- In addition to itching, there is an appearance on the external genitalia, cervix and mucous membrane of the vulva of a solid chancre with a dense base, even margins and a brownish-red bottom.
- Gonorrhea- itching is one of the signals of the presence of the disease in an acute form, besides it there are purulent discharge from the vagina, swelling, redness mucous membranes, burning, painful urination and frequent desires for it, intermenstrual bleeding, pain in the lower abdomen.
If the sexually transmitted disease is not treated in a timely manner, everything can become complicated:
- Urethritis- inflammatory process in the urethra. In this situation, the woman, in addition to itching, is worried about severe burning and painful sensations when urinating.
- Endometritis- inflammation of the uterus, which is characterized by a constant itching in the vagina.
- Cervicitis- inflammatory process of the uterine mucosa.
Each of these ailments is accompanied by itching in the vulva.
Severe itching of the vagina
The intense itching of the external genitalia in women basically indicates the presence of infection. In this case, the patient has the following symptoms:
- copious discharge of white, yellow or green with a pungent odor;
- reddening of the vaginal mucosa, the appearance of plaque on it, less often - small erosions and sores;
- pain during sexual intercourse;
- aching pain in the lower abdomen;
- burning with urination.
The last two signs indicate a rapid progression of the disease and the spread of the inflammatory process to various organs of the genitourinary system.
Treatment of itching in the vagina
As can be seen, the causes of itching in the vagina can be different, and therefore the treatment will be different. In some cases, it is sufficient to eliminate the irritating factor (start wearing comfortable linen from natural fabrics), while in others, the use of medicines is required.
Method of further treatmentwill depend on the diagnosis:
- The infectious origin of pruritus requires the use of local antimicrobial therapy.
- Fungus in the vagina is treated with antifungal drugs.
- In the allergic nature of irritation, antihistamines are used.
- With hormonal disorder, the hormones are corrected.
If there is no opportunity to go to the hospital immediately, then to ease the condition, you can:
- To wash out more often, adding in water antiseptics - hlorgeksidin or a little furatsilina (but not manganese or iodine);
- To adhere to the hypoallergenic diet, excluding sharp, pickled and sweet food, to use more sour-milk products;
- Use only cotton, "breathing" laundry;
- Avoid physical activity and sexual intercourse.
After the examination by a gynecologist, depending on the diagnosis of itching in the vagina, treatment will be prescribed accordingly.
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