Experiencing Vaginal Itching ?

Vaginal Itching

Many women experience vaginal itching at some point or another. There are numerous factors and conditions that can cause vaginal itching. Wearing clothing that is too tight or using scented soaps and douches can result in an itching vagina. And when women sweat during hot weather or exercise, vaginal itching can ensue. Although vaginal itching isn't always a symptom of an underlying condition, in many cases it can be. When vaginal itching persists for several days, an infection may be to blame.

Vaginal Itching and STDs

Many women who experience vaginal itching tend to assume that a yeast or bacterial infection is the cause, as both conditions are fairly common and are known to cause vaginal irritation. But certain STDs can also produce vaginal itching, including trichomoniasis.

Itching Vagina: A Trichomoniasis Symptom

Trichomoniasis is an STD that impacts millions of Americans each year. Though many women don't experience the disease’s STD symptoms upon infection, these include:

• Vaginal itching

• Yellow-green vaginal discharge

• Strong vaginal odor

• Pain during urination and intercourse

Anyone who has unprotected sex is risk for contracting trichomoniasis. In women, symptoms of trichomoniasis usually appear within 5 to 28 days following exposure.

Treating Vaginal Itching

The best way to alleviate the discomfort associated with an itching vagina is to target the underlying cause. In the case of trichomoniasis, medication can be administered when STD testing for the disease comes back positive. Antibiotics can not only address the problem of vaginal itching but also cure trichomoniasis entirely.

When a yeast or bacterial infection is to blame for an itchy vagina, then sometimes over-the-counter medication will work to provide a cure. In other cases, stronger prescription drugs may be needed to help eliminate vaginal itching.

Diagnosing the Cause of Vaginal Itching

The average woman can't pinpoint the cause of an itching vagina on her own, and for this reason, self-medicating is often an ineffective means of curing a vaginal infection. Since symptoms can overlap among yeast infections, bacterial infections, and STDs like trichomoniasis, testing is necessary to identify the cause of vaginal itching and arrive at the best course of treatment.