How to Stop Vaginal Itching

Almost everyone with a vagina will experience the annoyance and irritation of a vaginal itch at some point during their lives. There are many different kinds of common infections and conditions that can cause that intense itching that keeps you from feeling your best. If you’ve felt it before, you already know it’s hard to think about anything else while it’s happening! Learn how you can find relief and get treatment from home to stop that itch from coming back.

What is vaginal itching?

Many of us use this phrase to not only describe itching inside the vagina, but also any kind of itching around the opening of the vagina, around the labia, and around the external vulva. Often, itching in all these areas will have the same root cause, whether that’s an infection, hormonal condition, or external irritant, although it’s possible to have multiple causes of vaginal itching happening at the same time.

Causes of vaginal itching

There are many different, and common, causes of vaginal itching. While the majority are generally harmless or easily treated, itching is one of those symptoms that can be endlessly annoying when you’re experiencing it! The best way to get relief is to figure out the root cause and get treatment.

Irritants

If you have sensitive skin, you already know the effect that artificial fragrances and strong chemicals can have. It’s extremely common for people to experience contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction that results in itching, redness, hives, and general irritation from coming in contact with certain irritants. Different people have different sensitivities, but some of the most common causes of contact dermatitis are:

• Soaps, shower gels, and bubble baths
• Feminine sprays
• Douches
• Topical contraceptives, like spermicide
• Creams, lotions, and ointments
• Detergents
• Fabric softeners
• Scented toilet paper
• Scented pads and liners

As you can see, chemical irritants are all around us! You can imagine how washing your underwear with the wrong laundry detergent or trying out a new body wash may lead to vaginal itching. If you’re suffering from that dreaded itch, take stock of recent purchases and see if you’re trying out anything new that may be triggering a reaction from your skin.

Yeast Infection

A yeast infection is one of the most common causes of vaginal itching. If you experience recurrent yeast infections, you know one of the first telltale signs is an itch that intensifies over time. You may also experience:

• Chunky, white discharge (often described as “cottage cheese-like”)
• A yeasty odor, or no odor at all
• Soreness and irritation of the vulva

Treating a yeast infection from home is easy with Wisp! We connect you to a medical provider online who can prescribe prescription antifungals to cure your infection fast. While you’re waiting for your treatment to kick in, we also offer prescription itch relief with Calm Down! Instant Itch Relief for BV & Yeast (this product should not be used if your symptoms are caused by menopause, or other hormonal changes). Our custom compounded formula of Hydrocortisone and Lidocaine starts working instantly to relieve uncomfortable symptoms, so you can get back to your life.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, are often confused with one another. While both can cause vaginal itching, BV requires antibiotic treatment while Yeast requires antifungals—without the right treatment, your symptoms will continue! The best way to identify which you’re dealing with is to look at your discharge and notice the type of odor—BV presents with thin, gray or greenish discharge and a strong, fishy or musty odor. If the discharge is thick and clumpy, you most likely have a yeast infection. Wisp can provide you with fast and easy BV treatment, and our Calm Down! Instant Itch Relief for BV & Yeast works just as well on BV as it does for Yeast to soothe symptoms during antibiotic treatment.

STIs

There are a few STIs that can cause vaginal itching, including:

• Chlamydia
• Genital warts
• Gonorrhea
• Genital herpes
• Trichomoniasis

If you’re unsure if you’re dealing with an STI, or are experiencing other symptoms like unusual vaginal discharge, painful urination, and genital sores, consult with a medical provider to receive STI testing to help diagnose the cause of your vaginal itching.

Menopause

The hormonal changes that occur during menopause and perimenopause can cause thinning of vaginal tissues, which in turn can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like vaginal itching, along with pain, soreness, vaginal dryness, and urinary symptoms. If you’re struggling with any of these symptoms as the result of menopause, breastfeeding, or postpartum, you may benefit from a vaginal moisturizer! Wisp has hormonal and non-hormonal options that make soothing these symptoms a breeze. If you’re dealing with menopause or symptoms caused by hormonal changes, stay away from our Calm Down! Instant Itch Relief and other formulas that include a topical steroid—topical steroids can exacerbate vaginal atrophy/ thinning of tissue caused by menopause and perimenopause.

Which cream is best for vaginal itching?

If you need to soothe itching fast, a topical cream or ointment is often your best bet. Our Calm Down! Instant Itch Relief for BV and Yeast is targeted relief for your most sensitive areas. More effective than anything you can get over the counter, it is formulated by our Medical Team with prescription strength Hydrocortisone and Lidocaine to work instantly, and continue working while your treatment goes to work to stop your symptoms for good.

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