KissMeGoodnight
eLearning Series:
Your Sexual Health
Vaginal
Itching: 5 Tips For Women
Vaginal
itching can be a symptom of many things and a yeast infection
is only one of them. However, when a
woman experiences vaginal itching, very rarely will she call
her doctor. She will instead go to the corner market and purchase
a seven to ten day treatment to use. Only when it does not
work will she contact her doctor. It is better to contact your
doctor when you first experience vaginal itching to rule out
other possible causes.
One of the more common vaginal infections is known as bacterial
Vaginosis (BV). This infection occurs when the microorganisms
that normally live in the vagina get out of balance. Douching
increases the risk of bacterial Vaginosis because it washes
away the natural lubrication of the vagina. There may also
be a grayish-whitish discharge with this type of itching as
well as a fishy odor after intercourse.
A yeast
infection is what most women believe they have when
they experience vaginal itching. This type of infection is
caused by an abundance of yeast. You could experience a burning
sensation along with the itching. There may also be a thick,
whitish discharge. Antibiotics and oral contraceptives can
also cause yeast infections. It is important to not wear tight
clothing and let air circulate around your vagina to assure
the environment is not conducive to producing bacteria. A yeast
infection can be treated with anti-fungal medications. These
can be purchased over-the-counter.
Trichomoniasis is another common from of vaginal infection
for women. This is a sexually transmitted disease and is caused
by a parasite that lives in the vaginal secretions. You may
not always experience symptoms with Trichomoniasis you may
feel itching or burning along with a yellow-green discharge
and the odor has a foul smell. If you have been diagnosed with
this, it is important that both partners are treated with mediation
and avoid sex during the course of the treatment.
Some other common sexually transmitted diseases that also
cause an annoying itch and/or a possible discharge:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Herpes
These sexually transmitted diseases can be treated with antibiotics
except for herpes, which is a virus, not bacteria. Gonorrhea
and chlamydia are very contagious and are easily transmitted
from one person to another, so it is important to begin treatment
as soon as you are diagnosed. In addition, these STDs can lead
to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Herpes can
be treated with medications that help keep it under control.
Herpes can never be eliminated and once you have contracted
it you will have it for the rest of your life. Herpes can be
passed on to other sexual partners.
When you experience itching in the genital area, it does not
always mean that there is an infection. For many women though,
the vulva is an area that becomes itchy easily. There are two
common skin problems that cause vulvar itching: irritant dermatitis
and contact dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis will occur if a
chemical in products makes contact with the skin and then irritates
it. Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction to a substance.
During a women’s cycle the cervical mucus can also irritate
and cause itching.
For those women with sensitive skin it is important to stay
away from products that are scented and have fragrances. You
should use mild cleansers when cleaning any of your clothing
that may be against your skin. To soothe the itching, you can
apply a warm washcloth to the irritated area or take a sitz
bath. An anti-inflammatory ointment such as hydrocortisone
may also be beneficial. You can talk to your doctor about the
products available to ease the itching you may be going through.
There are several types of products on the market and you do
not need a prescription to purchase them. Your doctor may recommend
that you take an oral steroid if your symptoms are severe.
If you are one who prefers to shave the genital area, you need
to be careful and watch for folliculitis. This is a bacterial
infection and is characterized by red bumps around the area
of the hair follicle. This infection is also itchy. If you
experience this, you can use a topical or antibiotics to bring
it under control. # # # # #
by KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2006
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