Vaginal and Vulvar Health- 04

Vaginal Self-Exam
Foreign Body in the Vagina
Vaginal Infections
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Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bartholin's Gland Cyst
Vaginal Cysts
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Douching: Helpful or Harmful?
Vaginal Discharge: What’s Abnormal?
Vaginal Dryness: Causes and Moisturizing Treatments
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Itching, Burning, and Irritation
Vaginal Fistula
What Is Vulvodynia?
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Vulvodynia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
What Can I Do About Vulvodynia?
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Treatment for Vulvodynia
What Is Vulvovaginitis?
Vulvar Vestibulitis

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Itching, Burning, and Irritation

Vaginal Itching, Burning, and Irritation

Itching or irritation anywhere on the body can cause discomfort. But when it occurs in an area as sensitive as the vagina and vulva (the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening), it can be especially uncomfortable. Most genital itching and irritation isn't a major concern. But because they can be symptoms of an infection, it's always a good idea to call your health care provider.

What causes vaginal itching, burning, and irritation?

There are several common causes of vaginal itching, burning, and irritation, including:

• Bacterial vaginosis . It's normal to have a healthy mix of bacteria in the vagina. But the wrong bacteria growing there can lead to an infection. Besides itching, other symptoms that come with bacterial vaginosis are inflammation, burning, discharge, and a fishy-smelling odor.
• Sexually transmitted disease (STDs). Chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea all can cause vaginal/vulvar itching and irritation and other symptoms.
• Yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis). About three out of every four women will develop a yeast infection at some point in their lives. Yeast infections occur when the yeast, candida, grow excessively in the vagina and vulva. Pregnancy, intercourse, antibiotics, and a weakened immune system can all make women more likely to get a yeast infection. In addition to itching and irritation, a yeast infection will produce a thick, white, cheesy discharge.
• Menopause. The drop in estrogen production that occurs at the end of a woman's reproductive years can cause the vaginal walls to thin and dry out. This can lead to itching and irritation. Thinning of the vaginal walls is also a problem in some women who breastfeed.
• Chemical irritants. A number of chemical substances, including creams, douches, condoms, contraceptive foams, laundry detergents, soaps, scented toilet paper, and fabric softeners can irritate the vagina and vulva.
• Lichen sclerosis . This is a rare condition that causes thin white patches to form on the skin, especially around the vulva. The patches can permanently scar the vaginal area. Postmenopausal women are most likely to develop this condition.

How are vaginal itching, burning, and irritation treated?

Vaginal irritation will often get better on its own. However, if the irritation continues, is severe, or comes back after treatment, call for an appointment with your doctor. The doctor can do a pelvic exam. The doctor will probably also take a sample of the discharge to find the source of the problem.

How vaginal discomfort is treated depends on what condition is causing the problem:

• Vaginosis and STDs are treated with antibiotics/antiparasitics.
• Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medications. They are inserted into the vagina in the form of creams, ointments, or suppositories, or they are taken orally. You can buy these medications over the counter in different doses -- one-day, three-day, seven-day. However, if you've never been diagnosed with a yeast infection, see your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication.
• Menopause-related itching may be treated with estrogen cream, tablets, or a vaginal ring insert.
• Other types of itching and irritation respond to steroid creams or lotions, which reduce inflammation. A prescription-strength steroid cream can relieve the irritation of lichen sclerosis.

In young girls, it's important to report any itching, burning, or irritation to a health care provider, because these symptoms can be signs of sexual abuse.

Are there home remedies for vaginal itching, burning, and irritation?

Here are a few tips for preventing and treating vaginal irritation at home:

• Avoid scented pads or toilet paper, creams, bubble bath, feminine sprays, and douches.
• Use water and a plain, unscented soap to regularly clean your external genital area. But don't wash more than once a day. Doing so can increase dryness.
• Always wipe from front to back after having a bowel movement.
• Wear cotton panties (no synthetic fabrics), and change your underwear every day.
• Do not douche.
• Change the diapers of infant girls regularly.
• Use condoms during sexual intercourse to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
• If you are experiencing vaginal dryness, use a vaginal moisturizer. Apply a water-based lubricant (K-Y, Astroglide) before having sex.
• Avoid sexual intercourse until your symptoms improve.
• Don't scratch -- you can further irritate the area.

Vaginal Fistula

What Is a Vaginal Fistula?

A vaginal fistula is an abnormal opening that connects your vagina to another organ. For example, a vaginal fistula can link your vagina to your:

• Bladder
• Ureters, the tubes that carry your pee from your kidneys to your bladder
• Urethra, the tube that carries your pee down from your bladder and outside your body
• Rectum, the lower part of your large intestine
• Large intestine
• Small intestine

Vaginal fistulas can be upsetting and embarrassing because they leak and cause bad smells. But they can also cause complications, like:

• Vaginal or urinary tract infections that keep coming back
• Hygiene problems
• Stool or gas that leaks through the vagina
• Irritated or inflamed skin around your vagina or anus
• An abscess -- a swollen clump of infected tissue with pus that could be life-threatening if it’s not treated
• Fistulas that come back

Women who have Crohn’s disease and develop a fistula have a high risk of getting complications, such as fistulas forming again later or fistulas that don’t properly heal.

What Causes Vaginal Fistulas?

Most often, the culprit is tissue damage that can result from any of the following:

• Abdominal surgery (hysterectomy or C-section)
• Pelvic, cervical, or colon cancer
• Radiation treatment
• Bowel disease like Crohn’s or diverticulitis
• Infection (including after an episiotomy -- a tear -- you had when you gave birth)
• Traumatic injury, such as from a car accident

What’s the Treatment?

Some fistulas may heal on their own. If it’s a small bladder fistula, your doctor might want to try putting a small tube called a catheter into your bladder to drain the pee and give the fistula time to heal by itself.

He might also want to try a special glue or plug made of natural proteins to seal or fill the fistula. Still, many people need surgery. What kind of surgery you get depends on the type of fistula and where it is. It could be laparoscopic, where your doctor makes small cuts (incisions) and uses cameras and tools. Or it could be abdominal surgery, where you get a regular incision with a tool called a scalpel.

For a vaginal fistula that connects to your rectum, your doctor might:

• Sew a special patch over the fistula
• Take tissue from your body to close the fistula
• Fold a flap of healthy tissue over the fistula
• Fix the muscles of your anus if they are damaged

Your doctor will likely also prescribe an antibiotic to treat infection caused by the fistula.

What Is Vulvodynia?

What Is Vulvodynia? What Causes It?

Constant and knife-like. Burning. Stinging. Soreness. Stabbing. This is how women with vulvodyniadescribe the pain they feel around the opening of their vagina.

There are two types of vulvodynia. Generalized vulvodynia means you feel pain all around your vagina. If you have localized vulvodynia, you feel pain in one specific area. The pain can be consistent or occur only when you sit for a long time or have sex.

It can be hard to discuss with anyone, including your doctor. But talking about what hurts is the first step to help and healing.

What Causes It?

Vulvodynia is a pain disorder. Doctors don’t know why it happens. It's not brought on by a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Infection, skindisease, or cancer can cause pain around the opening of your vagina, but none of them are the same as vulvodynia.

Who's At Risk?

Vulvodynia affects women of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds.

Other factors include hormonal changes, a history of sexual abuse, and sensitive skin issues, like allergies.

What Are the Possible Complications?

Vulvodynia can be so painful you lose the desire to have sex. This can cause relationship issues. It may trigger a condition doctors call “vaginismus.” That’s where the muscles around your vagina tense up because you’re afraid any kind of penetration will cause pain. Many things, like sex, using a tampon, or having a pelvic exam, might cause this reaction.

It can also affect your body image and sleep patterns, which can lead to anxiety and depression.