8 Common Reasons Your Vagina Itches - Page 9
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An itchy vagina is not only uncomfortable, it’s embarrassing! That is one itch you cannot help but scratch but one that also looks very awkward to scratch in public. In fact, reaching down south to relieve that itch could get you arrested for acting indecently in public. Okay, that probably wouldn’t happen, but wouldn’t it be the most horrendous experience if it did? It’s not worth risking that on your pubic—err public—record! So let’s look into some of the common reasons women get itchy vaginas, and what to do about them.
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Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is very common and simply happens when you have an imbalance of pH in your vagina. That imbalance can cause dryness and inflammation, which in turn makes you itch. You’ll recognize it by a strange odor down south, and watery discharge says Rephresh.com.
How to scratch it
Luckily you can get an over the counter cream to clear up your bacterial vaginosis. In some severe cases, your doctor will have to prescribe a prescription-strength cream.
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Scented products
If you use lubricant or condoms that are flavored or scented, you might get a skin irritation called contact dermatitis. This can cause a lot of itching.
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How to scratch it
First, try switching to an all-natural lubricant that has no additives, flavors or perfume. Do the same with your condoms. If you’re still experiencing itching, see below.
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Scented toilet paper
This is one of the sneakiest but most powerful culprits! So many of us use toilet paper that is scented and don’t realize it. But if you are already sensitive to items with perfume, you certainly shouldn’t use such an item to wipe your vagina dozens of times a day.
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How to scratch it
Be sure to use hypoallergenic toilet paper, laundry detergent, body wash and any other product that could indirectly make contact with your vagina. Doing this should help the itching go away on its own, without the need for treatment says Pelvicexercises.com.
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Yeast infections
Yeast infections can occur after you use antibiotics because those kill off good bacteria in your va-jay-jay. They can also occur when you’re under a lot of stress, are eating a new diet (usually one high in sugar) or have a new sexual partner. You’ll recognize this by the curdly and thick discharge and, of course, the itching says Rephresh.com.
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How to scratch it
For immediate relief, you can grab an over the counter treatment like Monistat, but you should also take stock of your life to see if your daily habits could cause the infection to come back. Again, habits like your diet or any stressful activities
STDs
You don’t need to fear right away that you have an STD if you’re itching down south, but just keep an eye on the situation. If the itching progresses to burning, pain, extremely strong odors and sores, then see a doctor right away says Mayoclinic.com.
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How to scratch that
As you probably already know, how you handle this will depend wholly on which STD you’ve contracted. You’ll have to address the source of the issue but in the meantime your doctor can prescribe you treatment to alleviate the symptoms.
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Menstrual products
As if paying for, stocking in your cabinets and carrying around the stuff isn’t annoying enough, menstrual products can cause another inconvenience: itching! If you notice your itching only returns during your period, it could be that you’re sensitive to pads and tampons says Thedoctorstv.com.
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How to scratch it
Try using a menstrual cup or organic cotton panty liners. These may not provide the odor control of other items, but if they remove your itching, it could be worth it.
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Eczema
Yup. You can get it on your vagina says TheWomens.org. Lucky us, huh? As if it isn’t bad enough on our arms and legs! If you already know you have eczema on other areas of your body, see a dermatologist to figure out if that’s what’s causing your downstairs itching.
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How to scratch it
Oatmeal baths can provide tremendous relief for eczema on every part of the body, plus they leave you smelling nice without those nasty perfumes we mentioned earlier.
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Shaving or not shaving
If you know you don’t have an STD or any of the other conditions listed, and you’re using all hypoallergenic products, then consider your methods of maintenance. Do you shave? Do you not shave? Do you shave on and off? If you usually keep, a clean shaven va-jay-jay but you occasionally let the hair grow out, that will probably cause itching as you’re just not used to the sensation of hair down there. On the flip side, you might be super sensitive to razor burn and might want to consider removing hair in other ways.
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How to scratch it
The best way is to talk to your girlfriends and see who has tried what (sugaring, waxing, hair removal cream, shaving etc.) Every vagina responds to these techniques differently so the best you can do is plenty of research.
