Almost every woman may encounter a situation where discomfort occurs in the vulva, expressed by itching, burning or dryness. The reasons for this phenomenon can be completely different. Sometimes itching or burning is an informative symptom of an illness, such as an allergic reaction or a sexually transmitted infection. As a rule, treatment is aimed at eliminating the cause, after which the discomfort disappears on its own.
Besides the disease, there are reasons that have nothing to do with it.
Associated symptoms
In a he althy woman, vaginal mucus serves to moisturize the walls of the vagina, which prevents dryness and discomfort. In addition, it is a natural defense of the body against the penetration of pathogenic bacteria, as well as a barrier to their spread. If there are any failures inIn the process of producing this mucus, in addition to discomfort, problems may arise in sexual life, as sexual intercourse becomes painful.
In addition to itching, burning and dryness, there may additionally appear:
- pain during intercourse;
- tingling;
- feeling of pressure or throbbing in the vagina;
- yellow-green discharge;
- frequent urge to urinate.
Causes of itching and burning, not related to the disease
Such discomfort may be due to:
- ignoring the rules of intimate hygiene (every girl should remember that in order to maintain he alth, it is necessary to carry out daily water procedures of the external genital organs and change underwear);
- use of synthetic underwear;
- Allergies to soap or shower gel, pads, tampons and other intimate hygiene products.
To get rid of discomfort in the genital area, it is recommended to eliminate the cause of their appearance. However, if this did not help, then the itching, burning or dryness was provoked by the disease.
If itching and burning are accompanied by discharge
If atypical discharges are added to these unpleasant sensations, then there is definitely an infection in the body that is actively spreading. Normally, vaginal discharge occurs, but there is no discomfort. If they have changed their color and other external characteristics, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist as soon as possible for advice. Itching, burning,dryness in the intimate area can signal pathological processes in the female body and the presence of a disease of the genitourinary system.
There are several diseases whose main symptoms are itching, burning and white discharge.
Candidiasis
The cause of the disease is the fungus Candida. Normally, it is in the vagina of every woman, but the balance of good and bad bacteria does not allow it to multiply actively. But in the presence of certain factors, this balance is disturbed, and infection occurs. These factors are:
- long-term antibiotic treatment;
- initiating sexual partner;
- decreased immunity as a result of another disease;
- hormonal disorders;
- diabetes.
In addition to itching and burning, the following symptoms are present:
- cheesy discharge;
- sour smell;
- pain during urination.
In this case, the treatment of dryness and burning in the intimate area requires the use of antibacterial agents. Their action is aimed at neutralizing and destroying the fungus - the main culprit of the disease. Antibiotics against candidiasis are available in the form of suppositories, tablets and ointments. The main rule is that both sexual partners should undergo treatment.
Bacterial vaginosis
This disease is characterized by an imbalance in the bacterial balance in the vagina, in which the number of bad microorganisms increases dramatically. This is the main cause of infectious inflammation, or bacterial vaginosis. Apart fromitching and burning, an unpleasant odor appears that cannot be eliminated even by frequent water procedures, and atypical discharge (usually white, rarely grayish or greenish, stretching, thick).
The causes of this disease are:
- long-term use of antibiotics;
- use of spermicides;
- taking oral contraceptives;
- hormonal imbalance (appears during pregnancy or menopause).
Treatment is carried out only after diagnosis, the purpose of which is to determine the type of bacteria that provoked the imbalance. Only after that, antimicrobial therapy is carried out.
Genital herpes
In this case, in addition to itching and burning, a small rash appears, which is small blisters, inside of which there is a yellowish content. After these bubbles open, erosions form, which give a burning sensation.
This disease is transmitted sexually. In many cases, the patient is unaware of the infection, because immunity does not allow the infection to spread. However, with a decrease in the functions of the immune infection, the herpes virus is activated. The danger of the disease lies in constant relapses, as well as asymptomatic course. In addition, the disease carries a risk for the embryo, but only if the expectant mother was infected during pregnancy for the first time.
Itching during pregnancy
There is dryness and burning in the intimate area and during pregnancy. This happens due to hormonal imbalances.women and reduce overall immunity. This helps to increase vaginal secretion, as well as the activation of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, if there were causative agents of thrush or other fungal diseases in the woman's body before pregnancy, the itching becomes quite strong and brings discomfort to everyday life. You should not self-medicate in this case and make your own diagnoses, even if you are confident in it. During pregnancy, all appointments should be carried out by a doctor based on the examination. Self-medication is unacceptable.
In addition, you can protect yourself and your unborn baby if you prevent the spread of infection even before pregnancy and take a course of preventive treatment in advance.
Discomfort after childbirth
This problem, namely dryness in the intimate area, is one of the most common in young mothers. This is due to hormonal disorders in the body, so it is enough just to wait a while for the body to return to its prenatal state. Vaginal dryness is caused by a significant decrease in estrogen, which was many times higher during pregnancy.
For six weeks after giving birth, doctors do not recommend having sex, because the wounds need to completely heal. You can help with this by lubricating with vitamin A, which helps to accelerate regeneration and increase hydration. If the scar is tactile, it can be lubricated with olive oil. If symptoms, including itching and dryness, persistfor several months, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist. You may need plastic surgery to flatten the scar.
Why there is discomfort during menstruation
Statistics says that every woman felt itching in an intimate place during menstruation at least once in her life. This is due to the fact that during this period various hormonal disruptions can occur in the body. In addition, itching and dryness of the intimate area can occur against the background of disorders of the thyroid and pancreas. Diabetes mellitus can also provoke discomfort, for the same reason. After stabilization of the hormonal background, itching and dryness go away on their own, and additional treatment is not required in this case.
In addition, infection can be the cause of discomfort, but if this phenomenon is repeated with enviable regularity, then the cause of this phenomenon is most likely a decrease in the level of the hormone estrogen at certain periods of life. However, to be sure of this, you still need to contact a gynecologist for advice. You may still need to use special vaginal tablets or suppositories, which include hyaluronic and lactic acid.
Discomfort after intercourse
Sometimes sexual intercourse may not bring the pleasure that is expected from it. And this may be due to burning and itching in the intimate area immediately after sex. One of the causes of discomfort may be an allergic reaction to latex or fragrances.condom. If this reason is excluded due to the impossibility, then thrush, or candidiasis, leads to unpleasant sensations in the intimate zone. This disease develops as a result of the reproduction of a fungus of the genus Candida, in which, in addition to dryness, white curdled discharge appears.
This disease is treated for 1 to 2 weeks, depending on neglect. Moreover, it is necessary to undergo treatment not only for a woman, but also for her sexual partner. Men also experience symptoms of thrush in the form of itching and burning, but they are less pronounced.
If dryness and itching in the intimate area are caused by allergies to condom components or simply insufficient secretion, then it is recommended to use special lubricants that almost instantly moisturize the vagina, thereby increasing the slipperiness of its walls. In most cases, they are water-based with natural emollient ingredients such as collagen, silk extract or bamboo extract. In addition, the composition of such products may include antibacterial and antifungal ingredients, which will be an excellent prevention of diseases. Glycerin-based products are also produced, but it is quite difficult to wash them off after intercourse, which, on the contrary, can provoke the development of an infection.
Dryness in the intimate area with menopause
Unfortunately, this period comes sooner or later for every representative of the weaker sex. In women over the age of 45, dryness in the intimate area without discharge and itching may sign althe onset of menopause. During menopause, the epithelium of the vagina becomes much thinner and loses its former elasticity due to a decrease in the production of collagen fibers. In addition, the amount of vaginal secretion also decreases, which causes discomfort, in particular dryness in the intimate area in women.
All these factors provoke atrophic processes in the perineum and vagina. Itching and burning can be so strong that it is simply unrealistic to endure them. It is because of scratching the affected areas that re-infection occurs, as well as the development of additional erosions and ulcers.
Do antibiotics affect intimate he alth?
One of the main causes of dryness, itching and burning in the external genital area in women is taking antibiotics. Antibacterial agents are designed to eliminate infection and inflammation, but at the same time, the natural flora of the intestines and vagina is also killed. Also, the overall immunity of the body is significantly reduced, due to which the latter is no longer able to fight the infection, and pathogenic microorganisms multiply. This is what leads to an imbalance in the microflora of the vagina, which causes itching, burning and dryness.
Causes of itching and burning during urination
Unlike candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis, itching and burning during urination are triggered by completely different bacteria and infections. In particular, the female urinary system is affected. Bacteria from the vagina can enter the urinary tractsystems (urethra, ureters, bladder, kidneys), thereby provoking diseases. Normally, the process of urination is not uncomfortable, which is why itching, burning, pain may indicate the presence of a disease. It can be cystitis, urethritis, urolithiasis and others. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnostic features
The female intimate area is very sensitive to various pathogens, which is why even a small amount of them can cause very unpleasant symptoms, such as dryness in the intimate area (treatment depends on the diagnosis). To make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you must contact a gynecologist who will send you for research:
- blood test;
- urinalysis;
- Vaginal swab to determine the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to antibiotics.
Only after the diagnosis is made, the doctor draws up a treatment regimen.
Principles of treatment
Dryness, burning in the intimate area in women, the cause of which is not a disease, goes away on its own. If relief does not occur, you should contact your doctor who will prescribe medications.
If dryness and burning in the intimate area are accompanied by infectious or fungal diseases, then the disease must be cured to eliminate the symptoms. In addition, it is necessary to restore the microflora of the vagina.
If dryness in the intimate area (treatment usually involves the use of moisturizers) is the result ofuse of contraceptives in the form of suppositories or tablets, it is necessary to change the drug. However, do not do this on your own, but after consulting a doctor. For moisturizing, you can use various creams, gels, ointments with a high content of lactic and hyaluronic acid, as well as glycoten.
If dryness occurs in the intimate area during menopause, the treatment is hormone replacement therapy. It is carried out on the basis of the survey, taking into account the results of the analyzes. In addition, there are special remedies for dryness in the intimate area.
Vaginal creams or suppositories, which contain a certain amount of estrogen, do an excellent job with the problem of dryness of the external genitalia. These remedies eliminate dryness in the intimate area in women (the treatment is based on this) and prevent the loss of flexibility of the vaginal walls. Ovestin and Estriol candles have proven themselves well.
Treatment occurs in two stages:
- At the first stage, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used, and only in local dosage forms, that is, ointments, creams, suppositories. It is also allowed to use corticosteroid ointments, the main purpose of which is the elimination of the inflammatory process. Among them, Locacorten, Triacort, Flucinar are popular.
- The purpose of the second stage is to restore the balance of the microflora of the vagina. Therefore, the use of probiotics is required.
All drugs are prescribed exclusively by a doctor, but reducethe manifestation of symptoms can be means that are sold in pharmacies without a prescription:
- furatsilin (in tablets - 1 tablet per 100 ml of boiled water - or solution) should be used for washing (the number of procedures per day depends on your condition);
- well-proven Vagisil cream is a protective agent that can eliminate inflammation and reduce the intensity of itching and burning;
- antihistamines, such as Suprastin, will quickly relieve itching, especially if such discomfort was provoked by an allergic reaction;
- suppositories that are made on the basis of vitamin E, which increases the amount of moisture in the vaginal cavity, will help eliminate dryness;
- using Aloe Vera gel will quickly relieve itching and dryness (you can also use a natural remedy made from fresh aloe juice).
How to eliminate unpleasant symptoms at home?
Treatment of dryness and burning in the intimate area is prescribed by a doctor on the basis of a study, and it is strictly individual. However, a woman at home can alleviate the condition on her own. The basic rules are:
- avoid the use of scented intimate hygiene products (pads, toilet paper, creams, detergents and feminine products);
- for daily care of the external genitalia, it is recommended to use only water and unscented soap, and do this no more than once a day (more frequent washing can only aggravate the situation);
- washing yourself after going to the toilet also needs to be done correctly: only in the front-to-back direction;
- when buying underwear, give preference to cotton, and change it daily;
- use condoms during sexual intercourse (provided there is no allergy to them) as a prophylactic against various sexually transmitted diseases;
- Various moisturizing lubricants (so-called lubricants) can be used to eliminate dryness in the intimate area, but it is better to choose water-based products, as they will not cause irritation and can be easily removed;
- it is better to refuse sexual intercourse for the duration of treatment until the discomfort is completely eliminated;
- if you feel severe itching, then combing the affected area is strictly prohibited, this can increase irritation and also provoke infection;
- it is necessary to adjust the diet, in particular, completely abandon fatty and spicy foods, alcohol.
Folk remedies for dryness in the intimate area will also help alleviate the condition:
- Washing with a decoction of chamomile or calendula, for the preparation of which you need 1 tbsp. l. flowers pour 1 tbsp. boiling water and leave for 15 minutes (this procedure can be done up to 3-4 times a day, you do not need to use soap and rinse with water as well).
- Douching twice a day for five days with a soda solution that is being preparedso: 1 tsp. dilute soda with 0.5 l of warm water and stir until completely dissolved (can be replaced with a solution of s alt and iodine in the proportion of 30 g of s alt, 5 g of iodine per 2 l of water).
- Lubrication of intimate places with vitamin E in an oil solution, which can be mixed with ordinary vegetable (after boiling it) twice a day (if dryness is excessive, then the number of procedures can be increased).
- Baths with decoctions of herbs, such as chamomile or calendula (put dried flowers wrapped in gauze in a hot bath and leave for 10 minutes, the duration of the procedure itself is about 20 minutes).
- Kiwi vine extract is excellent for dryness (the advantage of this lubricant, which is sold in speci alty stores, is to maintain a natural PH balance).
When the first unpleasant symptoms appear, it is recommended to consult a specialist. The sooner they are eliminated, the less likely the disease is to give complications.
