Article 1 – FEMININE ITCH – WHY DOES MY VAGINA ITCH?
Itching or irritation anywhere on the body can cause discomfort. But when it occurs in an area as sensitive as the vagina, it can be especially uncomfortable. Most genital itching and irritation isn’t a major concern, but due to the sensitivity of the area concerned, it becomes essential to see a gynecologist. True vaginal itching affecting the internal vagina needs to be distinguished from vulvar itch, which is the itching of the external vulva or external public region. However, the distinction is sometimes not clear. Vaginal itching is one of the commonest complaints of patients who visit gynecologists. In US alone, there are approximately 7.5 million cases approaching for treatment every year.
The common names for vaginal itching are ‘Vulvar itching’, ‘Feminine itching’. Medically the condition is known as ‘Pruritis vulvae’. The condition is a counterpart to ‘Pruritis scroti’ in males.
Feminine itching is often a symptom and can be an outcome of many underlying diseases. Some of the most common causes are underlined below:
• Infection is the major cause of vaginal itching. Vulvar and perineal skin is usually resistant to infections but defense is lost following constant irritation by vaginal discharge, urine or degenerative changes either in a disease or after menopause. It may occur by itself or secondarily because of trauma caused to vulva because of scratching with nails, following child birth trauma or gynecological operation. It is of following types
o Bacterial infection- staphylococcus aureus or streptococcus aureus.
o Sexually Transmitted Infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinale.
o Tubercular infection
o Fungal Infection such as moniliasis or candida albicans
o Viral infections caused due to condylomata accuninata, molluscum contagiosum, herpes zoster( varicella zoster), herpes genitalis(simplex virus)
o Parasitic infections caused by pubic lice, scabies, thread worm, pin worm (mainly found in children), ring worm
o Vaginal yeast infection
o Precancerous skin conditions of the vulva
• Sensitive reactions of skin of vulva to various chemical irritants such as detergents, fabric softeners, soaps, creams, powder, sprays, contraceptive foams and jellies, condoms, ointments, douches or, drugs used to cure itching – All these can result in contact dermatitis, which results in itching.
• Before the start of periods in girl child and after cessation of menstruation in lady, vulva becomes dry because of the lack in estrogen hormones levels thus making vagina more prone to infection.
• A foreign body such as a forgotten tampon can also result in bacterial infection & hence the itching
• Stress makes the body’s immune system go weak and the propensity to contract infections increases.
• Faulty habits like not maintaining proper genital hygiene, wearing too tight undergarments or using synthetic undergarments and sanitary towels, can lead to vaginal itching.
• Obesity also contributes to vaginal itching as sweat production is more in obese women which can remain trapped in skin folds leading to infection and hence itching.
• Diabetes increases the chances of infection, which in turn, can lead to feminine itching