4 Ways to Relieve Vaginal Itching

1. Treat Vaginal Yeast Infections

Vaginal itching may be something as simple as a vaginal yeast infection. If you suspect a vaginal yeast infection, and it's your first one, check in with your care provider. Treatment for yeast infections is simple with antifungal creams such as Monistat. If you're having problems getting rid of your yeast infection, check in with your care provider. It's also possible to pass yeast infections to a sexual partner, so your partner may need treatment for a yeast infection too. Ways to prevent yeast infections include wearing cotton underwear, avoiding tight clothing, eating yogurt with live cultures, and decreasing sugar consumption, especially if you have diabetes.

2. Rule out Bacterial Vaginosis

While yeast infections are a big culprit of vaginal itching, you may actually need antibiotics prescribed by your care provider to relieve the itching. One cause of itching is bacterial vaginosis. Causes of bacterial vaginosis include sexual contact and simple hormonal fluctuations. Douching can also cause bacterial vaginosis. Symptoms include itching, fishy odor and a thick vaginal discharge with a grayish color. Sexual contact makes this condition worse so consider wearing a condom during sex. To treat bacterial vaginosis, you'll need antibiotics. You'll also need to treat the itch (just for basic comfort) with a vaginal cream such as Vagisil.

3. Determine if You Have Trichomonas

If you're experiencing vaginal itching you may have an STD called trichomonas. Trichomonas is a protozoa easily passed from sexual partner to sexual partner. Other symptoms of trichomonas include heavy greenish discharge, burning, soreness and redness of vaginal area, swelling of the vulvar, fishy odor and painful sexual contact.

4. Other Ways to Relieve Vaginal Itching

If you've seen your care provider and still experiencing vaginal itching, there are some other things you can do. You can treat vaginal itching with a topical cream such as Vagisil. Shaving the pubic area can also cause irritation of the vaginal tissues, which can lead to itching, especially as the hair grows back. You should also avoid sitting around in wet clothing such as bathing suits and avoid douching. You need to keep the vaginal area clean, but avoid using scented soaps, lotions, toilet paper and bubble bath as this can mess up the normal pH of the vagina, which leads to itching. If you're heading into menopause, which can increase vaginal itching, speak to your care provider about estrogen treatments.