What's Causing My Vagina to Burn and Itch?

There’s nothing quite as unpleasant as vaginal dryness, itching, and burning. It can be difficult to focus on your daily tasks when you’re so uncomfortable, and trouble down there can quickly zap your libido. 

Before you can find relief, though, you first have to determine what’s causing your discomfort. The only way to know for sure is to schedule an exam with Dr. Essam Taymour at Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group in Long Beach, California. 

In the meantime, learn more about some of the potential causes of vaginal discomfort here.

Infections 

Many infections can lead to unusual discharge, burning sensations, and increased itchiness, including:

• Bacterial infections, such as bacterial vaginosis
• Yeast infections
• Sexually transmitted infections, including genital warts and chlamydia

Resist the temptation to self-diagnose and treat a yeast infection. Many of these infections have overlapping symptoms, so it’s important to get tested to ensure you’re addressing the correct culprit. Your doctor treats each type of infection differently using specific types of medications. 

Chemical irritants

Despite the rather extensive market of feminine sprays and specialty cleansers, many of these products can contribute to vaginal irritation and itching. This includes soaps, feminine sprays, and perfumed wipes. 

Chemical irritants aren’t limited to feminine washes, though. Some women are sensitive to scented fabric softeners and laundry detergents, and using them on undergarments is enough to cause irritation. 

Menopause

The hormonal fluctuations associated with both perimenopause and menopause can cause:

• Vaginal atrophy (thinning vaginal walls)
• Decreased lubrication and increased dryness
• Less elasticity 

Vaginal dryness can quickly snowball into other issues, such as irritation and itchiness. Without natural lubrication, intercourse may be painful and can exacerbate the burning and discomfort.

Imbalanced pH 

A healthy vagina has a pH level ranging from 3.8 to 5. Anything that knocks your pH level out of balance can lead to burning and itching. 

Variations in your menstrual cycle, having unprotected sex, douching, and taking antibiotics can temporarily affect your pH level. Testing your pH level is often helpful in helping to pinpoint what’s causing your symptoms.

How do you get rid of vaginal burning and itching?

While vaginal burning and itching is nothing short of misery, the good news is that it’s often easy to remedy these symptoms. However, your specific treatments depend on what’s causing your symptoms. 

A yeast infection often responds to an antifungal medication, while dryness and itching associated with menopause may benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Other potential treatments include:

• Antibiotics
• Topical estrogen cream
• Treating underlying sexually transmitted infections
• Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding chemical irritants 
• Avoiding douching (which can increase your risk of developing bacterial vaginosis)

We know it’s not always easy to deal with symptoms like itching or burning, but our compassionate team is here to help! Schedule your consultation with Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group and get the relief you need. Give us a call at 562-247-3038 or make your next appointment through our online appointment request tool.