When you’re itchy down there, it can be uncomfortable in so many ways. For starters, you can’t exactly walk around scratching all day. And while you may be worried about WTF is making your vagina itch, you may be too embarrassed to talk about it — or even Google it. (Hellooo, awkward search history.) But rest assured, the occasional itch is pretty common and there are a few reasons why you have an itchy vagina.
“Think about the vaginal area. It’s warm, dark, and moist pretty much all the time,” says Lori Harrison, a Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner at Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu, Hawaii. “It's the perfect environment for itching and irritation.” Luckily, it’s typically easily treatable.
Below, Harrison and Dr. Draion M. Burch, DO (“Dr. Drai”), a board-certified OB/GYN in Atlanta, Georgia, explain common causes of vaginal itching and how to get relief ASAP.
Yeast Infections
They’re annoying, but super common. “Candida [a common type of yeast that can lead to fungal infections] is always present in the body in small amounts,” Dr. Drai explains. “But when the normal acidity of the vagina changes or the hormonal balance changes, Candida can multiply and cause problems.” If you notice a discharge that resembles cottage cheese, yeast is likely the culprit. In this case, call your doctor, who can evaluate the situation and suggest the best treatment.
Sensitive Skin
Anything you do to spruce up or use on your nether regions can affect the delicate ecosystem down there. In the medical world, this is usually referred to as contact dermatitis. If the itching is mostly external, it may just be an ingrown hair from shaving, or a reaction to a scented vaginal product.
“The vagina is delicate. It reacts to scents and perfumes by getting irritated and oftentimes itchy,” Harrison says. If you have an ingrown hair, use a warm compress to open up the follicle. And toss any hygiene product that causes a reaction — you really don’t need anything more than mild soap, anyway. Certain activities, like bike riding, and tight clothing can irritate your vagina and cause itching, as well.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Not only can shaving, douching, and scented products cause irritation, but they can actually kickstart an infection. “These things will kill your good bacteria,” Dr. Drai says. That lets bad bacteria take over the area, which can cause itchiness, discharge, painful urination, and a foul, sometimes fishy odor. If you think an infection might be to blame, give your gyno a call to schedule an appointment. A prescribed antibiotic is usually the solution in this situation.
Skin Conditions
Eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, and other chronic skin conditions can affect the skin on your vulva too. If you notice red or scaly patches on the skin near your vagina, contact your doctor — especially if you already deal with an inflammatory skin condition on other areas of your body.
Stress
Generally, too much stress can affect your body in a number of ways (headaches, upset stomach, muscle tension, to name a few), and your vag isn’t immune to this. Stress messes with your hormones, and a hormonal imbalance can cause vaginal itching. “Stress, good or bad, can alter your normal balance,” Harrison says. Your favorite stress-relieving techniques may help get things back on track. If that doesn’t help, give your OB/GYN a call.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
If you’re sexually active, you can’t completely rule out the possibility of a sexually transmitted infection, or STI. Vaginal itching is a symptom of infections such as chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Don’t panic, but do call your doc — especially if you notice any other worrying symptoms, like pain when you pee or abnormal-colored discharge (thick, cloudy, bloody, white, grey, yellowish, or greenish). To reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection, always practice safe sex and use a condom.
Leah Campano is an Associate Editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health, and politics. On the weekends, you can probably find her watching marathons of vintage Real Housewives episodes or searching for New York City’s best almond croissants.
