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Alternative names Return to top
Pruritus vulvae; Itching - vaginal area; Vulvar itchingDefinition Return to top
Common Causes Return to top
Common causes of vaginal itching include:
Other possible, but less common, causes of vaginal or vulvar itching include:
Home Care Return to top
To prevent and treat vaginal itching:
It is also helpful to:
If you know that you have a yeast infection because your symptoms are exactly the same as those in the past, try over-the-counter creams or vaginal suppositories.
Yeast infections are not considered sexually transmitted. However, sometimes men also develop itching and redness following sexual contact. If this is the case or you get recurrent infections for unclear reasons, both you and your partner may require treatment. Talk to your doctor.
For itching related to menopause, your doctor may consider estrogen cream or tablets to insert vaginally.
Teach children to resist and report any attempted sexual contact by another person. Don't try to remove any foreign object from a child's vagina. Take the child to a doctor right away for removal.
Call your health care provider if Return to top
Call your doctor right away if:
Call your doctor if:
What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top
Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, including a pelvic exam.
Medical history questions may include:
Do you have any allergies?
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
Antifungal drugs may be prescribed for yeast infections. When indicated, steroid creams or lotions may be prescribed to reduce inflammation. Ointments containing hormones may be ordered, and benzodiazepines or antihistamines may be prescribed for nighttime relief.
Update Date: 3/3/2004 Updated by: Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (1/14/2002).
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |