What is irritation of the vulva and vagina?

Itching and irritation of your vulva (female genitals) or vagina is quite common. Most females will experience it at least once in their lives.

The skin in this area is delicate, making it vulnerable to irritation from a wide range of products and conditions.

What are the symptoms of vulval and vaginal irritation?

As well as vaginal itching, vulval irritation can include symptoms such as:

• burning or itching
• redness and swelling
• vaginal discomfort
• vaginal discharge
• skin cracking or splitting
• whitening of skin
• pain during sex

If you have an unusual vaginal discharge, it might be due to an infection.

What causes vulval and vaginal irritation?

Many things can cause vaginal itching and irritation. Some of these are listed below.

Personal hygiene:

• vaginal douching (washing out your vagina)
• soaps, shower gels or bath products
• lubricants and spermicides used during sex
• sanitary pads and tampons
• removing pubic hair
• washing powders or liquids

Bodily functions:

• sweating
• discharge from your vagina

Infections:

• candidiasis (vaginal thrush) — a yeast infection
• a sexually transmitted infection — such as trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis or genital herpes

Conditions:

• an ingrown hair
• dermatitis or eczema
• psoriasis
• Bartholin’s cysts
• vulval cancer — this is very rare

Vaginal itching can also be caused by some medicines and hormonal changes.

Hormonal changes can happen after having a baby or during menopause.

When should I see my doctor?

If you have vulval irritation and your symptoms are not getting better, it’s important to see your doctor.

How is vulval and vaginal irritation treated?

The treatment of your vaginal itching will depend on its cause.

Your doctor may recommend:

• external treatments — medicated creams, barrier creams and gels
• internal treatments — vaginal creams, gels, tablets and pessaries
• oral tablets
• a combination of these

Do not use any creams you already have without discussing your problem with your doctor or pharmacist.

Self-care for vaginal itching

There are some things that you can try at home to ease your discomfort.

Try:

• wearing loose-fitting clothes and cotton underpants
• leaning forward while weeing, to reduce any burning
• using cold packs (wrapped in a cloth) to ease your itching
• sitting in a salt bath each day for 5 to 10 minutes
• washing your clothes with unscented soap and rinsing well
• a salt water spray bottle

To make a salt water spray, add one teaspoon of salt to 600ml of water. Spray this mix onto your vulva while sitting on the toilet.

Things to avoid are:

• douching — washing inside your vagina
• perfumed soaps, shower gels, bubble baths or deodorants
• tight clothes — such as tight jeans

Can vulval and vaginal irritation be prevented?

Studies suggest that your vaginal bacteria may be connected to the bacteria in your digestive system (gut). This means that what you eat may affect the health of your vagina.

Resources and support

If you are concerned about vaginal itching, you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other languages

Do you speak a language other than English?

• Family Planning Australia has information on common vaginal & vulval conditions, which can be download as a PDF factsheet in different languages.
• Jean Hailes for Women’s Health has fact sheets on vulval and vaginal health in several community languages.