Itching and burning in the bikini area can occur with a variety of conditions and diseases. All this may be accompanied by discharge with and without odor. In the body of a woman of childbearing age, cyclical changes occur monthly, which is expressed by a different strength of secretions, but they are physiological under certain conditions. They are connected with the activity of the ovaries and the pituitary gland, i.e., the menstrual cycle. If there is discharge and itching in the genitals, they can be for 2 main reasons: STIs (sexually transmitted infections) or poor hygiene. Only by the smell and color of the discharge, no one will diagnose you, you need an examination.
Itching is not a separate pathology, but only a symptom, a skin reaction to irritation. Therefore, it can be present in any part of the body. Itching in the bikini area requires the most careful attention, it can be a sign of serious illness.
Etiology of the phenomenon
Such reasonsthere may be several:
- adverse external factors;
- diseases of the genital area, as a result of other, non-sexual, pathologies;
- hormonal disorders;
- psychosomatics.
These reasons are not clearly demarcated and are subdivided into smaller ones. In any case, one thing is important: if itching and discharge do not stop within 3-5 days, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Isolation and reasons for their change
Discharge depends on age, general condition of the body, hormone balance, etc. The reasons for changes in discharge are numerous, but the main ones can be named:
- bearing, delivery, breastfeeding period;
- stress situations;
- taking hormonal drugs;
- sexual arousal;
- menopause;
- change partner;
- violations of intimate hygiene;
- frequent douching;
- irregular sex life;
- taking antibiotics;
- climate change.
At the same time, changes can be normal and pathological.
If the amount of discharge increases, you can use pads, you should not start treatment yourself.
When discharge changes are not normal
You should see a doctor in the following cases:
- watery discharge can indicate infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia);
- strengthening discharge after 40;
- ifdischarge is accompanied by discomfort, itching, smell.
Itching and discharge in the genitals, as secondary manifestations of other diseases
Itching and burning may occur when:
- diabetes;
- oncology;
- anemia;
- leukemia;
- hemorrhoids;
- dysbacteriosis;
- enterobiasis and ascariasis;
- anal fissures;
- lymphogranulomatosis;
- psoriasis and others
Itching and odorless discharge in women can be a consequence of diabetes because hyperglycemia leads to the multiplication of yeast on the skin of the genitals, which feed on amino acids and glucose. These symptoms may occur during a flare-up of psoriasis, when plaques may appear on the labia.
Itching and white discharge occurs with Keyr's disease (erythroplasia). This is a malignant disease from the category of skin cancer and it is caused by the HPV virus (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35). Emotional stress can also cause itching.
Some medications can also cause itching and odorless discharge. These include Tamoxifen, vaginal birth control pills (Pharmatex, Patentex Oval, etc.)
In these cases, the underlying disease should be treated.
Itching without discharge and odor
When itching occurs, a woman immediately remembers her synthetic underwear. You can’t expect quality from cheap synthetics, and it often causes itching in the intimate area without discharge and odor. Therefore, from syntheticsit is better to refuse or buy linen with a cotton gusset. It can also be caused by aggressive care products: soaps, creams, gels, lubricants, condoms, contraceptive foam, washing powders, scented toilet paper. All of the above can cause allergic reactions with severe itching and discharge. It is enough to withdraw these funds for everything to return to normal.
Violation of hygiene rules explains itching without discharge in women. This is due to the impossibility of timely hygiene procedures or elementary laziness. If it is not possible to wash yourself, use wet wipes for intimate places. Soaps for the intimate area should also be special.
During medical manipulations on the genitals, violations of the normal anatomy of the vagina in the form of damaged mucosa, gaping of the vulva, lowered walls of the vagina can also cause odorless itching and discharge in women.
If you do not change tampons and pads in a timely manner (when menstruation is more than 4-5 hours), then the blood accumulated here becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. That's right: change tampons every 2 hours, pads every 3-4 hours.
Pubic lice also causes itching. Infection occurs through contact with the carrier, using common things and towels. The activity of lice causes severe itching, discharge, blisters, rash. It is necessary to shave off the pubic hair and wash with hot, acidified with vinegar, water. Sulfur ointment, Nittifor, etc. are applied to the affected areas
Shaving in the intimate area against hair growth, on dry skin,blunt blade, excessive pressure also provokes itching and discharge.
Itching can also be caused by frequent hypothermia or overheating of the genitals.
Hormonal abnormalities
The hormonal background in women fluctuates repeatedly throughout life: with MC, pregnancy, menopause, lactation. Not only hormones change, but also the acidity of the vagina, which causes itching.
Itchy period
Possible because immunity decreases with them, and menstrual blood itself becomes an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. Treatment is not needed, just change pads in time and wash.
Itching during pregnancy
In addition to changing hormone levels, the belly and breasts grow, skin elasticity is somewhat reduced, and stretch marks appear that cause itching. But the most common cause of discomfort is thrush, which develops especially often during pregnancy.
This is again due to a weakening of the immune system and an imbalance between fungi and lactobacilli. Candidiasis is very common among women, regardless of age (occurs in 45% of women).
Usually the mucosa of the vulva or vagina becomes inflamed. There are complaints of excruciating itching and white discharge of a curdled nature.
Itching after childbirth
Indicates that the hormonal background is normalizing, and it's time to put your microflora in order. Special antipruritics are prescribed for lactating women.
Itching during menopause
During this period, there is a decrease in estrogens, later their production in the ovaries is completelystops. Dryness of the skin and mucous membranes appears, and atrophic vulvovaginitis develops. The same picture occurs when the ovaries are removed.
Cervical erosion
Cervical erosion is damage to the epithelium of the cervix of an organ. Symptoms are manifested not only in itching and odorless discharge, but also in pain in the lower abdomen, there may be rashes on the genitals. This indicates a secondary infection most often.
Inflammation of the genital organs
More often than others, the vagina, tubes, endometrium, cervix, etc. become inflamed. They occur when conditionally pathogenic microflora is activated against the background of a decrease in immunity, with provocative factors: hypothermia, neglect of hygiene, promiscuity.
Clinically there is pain in the lower abdomen, itching and white discharge (may be yellowish). They are slimy and odorless.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial cells beyond its layer in the uterus. In this case, itching and odorless discharge in the intimate area are possible.
Urinary infections
STDs are the most common cause of genital itching. They all lead to infertility and chronic inflammation:
- Chlamydia - sexually transmitted through any kind of sex. The discharge is mucous or purulent, itching, burning, with an unpleasant odor. The lower abdomen may hurt, with menstruation the pain intensifies and the discharge is plentiful. In advanced cases, fever, general malaise, weakness may occur.
- Gonorrhea - gonorrhea - is transmitted with all types of intercourse. Gonorrheainsidious in that immunity to it does not arise, and infection is possible repeatedly. Its symptoms are white-yellow discharge and itching in the intimate area, painful diuresis, pulling pains in the lower abdomen, MC disorder.
- Genital herpes - also applies to STIs. At first, redness and slight itching appear around the genitals. Later, fluid bubbles appear. They are localized on the genitals, the inner surface of the thigh. Itching becomes unbearable, burning sensation joins. Sensations are aggravated by urination, dyspareunia is noted. Often there are general symptoms with fever, lymphadenitis, deterioration of he alth. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the brain. Cause blindness and death.
- Trichomoniasis - caused by the simplest unicellular - Trichomonas. The average incubation period is from 10 days to 2 months. Symptoms: severe cramps and frequent urge to urinate, incessant itching and discharge in the intimate area in women. The discharge is frightening and profuse: yellow, greenish, gray, with a sharp unpleasant odor.
- Mycoplasmosis - caused by mycoplasmas. Accompanied by burning, itching and discharge in women in the morning, pain when urinating.
- Bacterial vaginosis. Normally, there is always a microflora in the vagina - it is a conditionally pathogenic flora and lactobacilli. Bacterial vaginosis is not inflammation, but an imbalance between lactobacilli and opportunistic microflora (primarily anaerobes and gardnerella). This happens when the immune system decreases. If there is a smell of rotten fish, other examinations can not beto do: the diagnosis is available. Gardnerella predominates among bacteria, so vaginosis and gardnerellosis have long been synonymous. Vaginosis is accompanied by itching and smelly discharge in an intimate place. The smell is reminiscent of the miasma of rancid fish. Allocations are not abundant, white-gray or yellow, greenish. They are viscous and thick, they do not leave marks on the linen, but they always increase with intimacy. There are also pains, swelling and redness of the labia, inflammation and burning, painful urination. Gardnerella by themselves do not cause inflammation, but free of charge help other bacteria to penetrate into the uterine cavity and tubes.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis includes the following activities:
- compulsory vaginal smear for microflora;
- bakposev to determine sensitivity to antibiotics;
- PCR analysis;
- IFA;
- Ultrasound of the uterus;
- with extragenital pathologies, general blood and urine tests
- blood biochemistry;
- determining the status of hormones in menopause.
When determining gardnerellosis, PCR does not matter much, it is more important to determine the number of pathogens. If there are no lactobacilli in the vaginal swab, this is an indicator of the presence of vaginosis.
Principles of treatment
Etiotropic treatment is prescribed after an accurate diagnosis and determination of the type of pathogen. In parallel, the doctor may prescribe immunomodulatory drugs, courses of vitamins andantiallergic medicines.
To control the effectiveness, the tests should be repeated after 2-3 weeks. If vaginal itching occurs postmenopausally, hormone creams with estrogen and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. With candidiasis, antimycotics are effective in the form of ointments, tablets, suppositories, douches (everything is complex).
For cervical erosion, douching, therapeutic applications, antibiotic therapy are carried out.
For sexually transmitted diseases, both the woman and her partners with whom there was contact during the incubation period are treated. Antibiotic therapy is prescribed, to which pathogens are sensitive.
Prevention
A woman should avoid hypothermia, it is better to wear underwear made from natural fabrics. It is better not to use pads daily, it is better not to use tampons during menstruation. It is advisable to observe monogamy, treat chronic genital inflammation in a timely manner, sexual hygiene should also be competent.
Hygiene rules
Basic hygiene rules:
- Wash not often, but daily; during menstruation - every time you change pads. Washing only with running water, basins and baths are not applicable.
- Rough washcloths should be abandoned. When using care products, they must be tested to ensure that irritation does not occur.
- Only use your own towel.
- Underwear should be made from natural materials. Absolutely not welcomewearing thongs - they rub and contribute to the penetration of infection from the anus and urethra.
- When menstruation is better to use pads. Tampons only when absolutely necessary and change every 2 hours. Only a pad is used during sleep.
Intimate wipes and regular wet wipes are two different things. The latter are made for hands and contain alcohol, which irritates the genital mucosa.
Any woman always has her own experience of self-observation, so she can notice the pathology right away. With atypical itching and discharge, you should immediately contact a gynecologist - this is the basic rule. Self-treatment and waiting are excluded.
