HOW TO STOP FEMININE ITCHING: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS & SOLUTIONS
Let’s talk about feminine itching— it’s uncomfortable, frustrating, and can make going about your day very difficult. Feminine itch is nothing to be embarrassed about, as most women will experience it at some point in their lives. The most important thing is to understand what has caused a bout of vaginal itching so you can take the right steps to fixing it. This article will explore the causes of feminine itching, the symptoms of feminine itching, and the treatments available for feminine itching.
WHY DOES MY VAGINA ITCH?
Feminine itching could be caused by a variety of factors. Whatever the underlying cause, one thing is clear, it’s uncomfortable and the sooner you can pinpoint the cause, the sooner you can work towards resolving the issue. Some common causes of vaginal itching and burning include:
SKIN CONDITIONS: ECZEMA, DERMATITIS & PSORIASIS
Often, people who experience skin conditions, like eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis, don’t immediately link it to their feminine itch symptoms. But if you do have an underlying skin condition, it’s very possible this could be what is causing your vaginal itching too.
Genital psoriasis – This is an autoimmune issue that causes patches of flaky, painful skin. Symptoms differ from psoriasis in other body areas as the patches of skin are normally moist rather than dry.1
Genital eczema – Different types of eczema can affect the genital area. It affects the skin around the vulva and the anus and causes extreme itching and discomfort.2
Vulvar dermatitis – A common skin condition that causes the skin around your vagina to become itchy and inflamed.3
SKIN IRRITATION
The skin around the genitals is sensitive and can be easily aggravated. A condition called vulvitis can cause itching, burning, irregular discharge, and small cracks on the skin of the vulva. It is often caused by the following:
Scented products like toilet paper, period pads, or soaps
Damp, sweaty clothing or wet bathing suits
Chlorinated water from swimming pools or hot tubs
Non-breathable synthetic underwear that traps moisture
Activities like cycling or horse riding4
THRUSH
Thrush is a vaginal yeast infection that happens due to an overgrowth of candida in the vagina. It’s normally caused by the natural balance of bacteria being upset. If you’re suffering from thrush you might notice heavy discharge from inside the vagina and itching around the vulva.10
ALLERGIES
An allergic reaction may also be the culprit of feminine itching outside or inside the vagina. Some causes of allergic reaction include: soaps, perfumes, nail varnish (when itching), latex, or spermicide found in lubricant.4
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIS)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are caught when a person has unprotected sex with another person who has an STI. STIs that cause feminine itching include:
HORMONE CHANGES
Hormonal changes can cause a condition known as ‘atrophic vaginitis’ which causes your vagina to become thin and dry due to a decrease in estrogen levels. This typically occurs during the menopause but is also common postpartum and during breastfeeding.8
WHAT TO DO IF EXPERIENCING FEMININE ITCHING?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of feminine itching, the best thing to do is go to a healthcare professional for advice. By getting an accurate diagnosis on what’s causing your symptoms, you’ll be in a much better position to treat them effectively.
WHAT A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL MAY ASK TO DIAGNOSE?
When visiting a healthcare professional with symptoms of feminine itching, the following investigations are common:
A discussion about your symptoms, your medical history, and your normal daily habits.
A physical exam to assess the symptoms around the genital area.
A pelvic exam including investigation inside the vagina using a speculum or ultrasound wand.
Lab tests such as urine test, blood test, STI test, Pap smear or biopsy.4
HOW TO TREAT FEMININE ITCH
Depending on the condition, there are a range of treatment approaches for the relief of feminine itching and burning. For more serious cases and infections, medication might be prescribed, in other cases over-the-counter itch relief products and home remedies can help.
If you have any concerns or questions about treatment options, be sure to consult your healthcare provider.
NATURAL REMEDIES
The first simple way to relieve your symptoms is to eliminate the use of harsh products, like scented soaps, wear breathable underwear, and switch to loose fitting clothes for a while.
‘Sitz baths’ are a recommended treatment for cases of vaginitis, a condition which makes the vulva inflamed and sore. A sitz bath involves sitting in a shallow tub of warm water—or specially-made sitz bath that sits on top of the toilet seat—infused with epsom salts for 20 minutes a few times a day.9
OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS
Over-the-counter vaginal itch cream products are available to treat the symptoms of feminine itch. Some products, like pessaries, are designed for internal use inside the vagina. Others are designed for external use around the vulva to soothe and prevent itching.
Cortizone-10® Feminine Itch Relief cream is formulated with 1% hydrocortisone—the maximum over-the-counter strength available—to relieve external feminine itching and burning. It gets to work in less than 10 minutes to provide long-lasting relief.
PRESCRIBED MEDICATION
If your feminine itching is caused by an underlying bacterial infection or virus—such as an STI— you’ll need to start taking prescribed medication as soon as possible. Commonly, this would be a course of antibiotics or anti-viral medication.
If feminine itching is caused by hormonal changes, due to the menopause or post-partum, hormone replacement medication might also be prescribed.8
If you have any concerns or questions about prescription treatment options, be sure to consult your healthcare provider.
WHAT IS THE RISK OF VAGINAL ITCHING?
Vaginal itching is common and, with the right diagnosis, treatment can be straightforward. However, some of the underlying causes are more serious and require prescribed medication. It’s important to see a doctor to understand what your needs are for treating your vaginal itch. The risks of not seeking proper diagnosis include:
HOW TO PREVENT VAGINAL ITCHING FROM COMING BACK
Once you have treated the underlying cause of genital itching, there are a few things you can do to help prevent it returning. While you can’t totally eliminate all the causes of feminine itch, there are some simple lifestyle changes that can help, including:
Maintaining good personal hygiene
Avoiding the use of perfumed soaps, body lotions and sprays
Wearing breathable cotton underwear
Wearing loose-fitting clothing
Practising safe sex
Maintaining a healthy diet
Avoiding sitting in wet clothes or swimwear
Wipe from front to back after using the toilet
Avoid douching which disrupts the vaginal balance 8
FAQS ABOUT FEMININE ITCHING
WHY DOES MY VAGINA ITCH AFTER SEX?
An itchy vagina after sex could be a sign that you have picked up a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs that can cause itching include trichomoniasis and genital warts. If you have itching, burning, pain, or unusual symptoms in your genital area following sex, it’s important to get tested for STIs as soon as possible.11
WHY DOES MY VAGINA ITCH ON MY PERIOD?
It’s common to experience some vaginal irritation around the time of your period. This could be caused by hormonal changes that happen at this part of your menstrual cycle.11 It could also be related to using irritating period products, like perfumed sanitary pads.
WHY DOES THE INSIDE OF MY VAGINA ITCH?
If you’re experiencing itching inside your vagina, there could be a number of reasons why— a thrush infection, irritation from scented soaps, a hormonal imbalance, and STI are all potential culprits. The first thing to do is visit a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
WHY DOES MY VAGINA ITCH AT NIGHT?
It’s common for symptoms of feminine itching to feel worse at night when the distractions of the day’s activities are removed. There are also some physical reasons that vaginal itching may feel worse at night: as core body temperature drops, the body increases blood circulation to extremities. The skin also loses moisture overnight, becoming more dehydrated and drier.11
WHAT HELPS WITH FEMININE ITCH DURING PREGNANCY
Yeast infections that cause feminine itching are quite common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that alter the PH of the vagina. They can be treated with over-the-counter creams like clotrimazole and miconazole.12 Be sure to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid scented products, and wear breathable cotton underwear. Always seek medical attention as soon as possible if you see signs of an infection, or something that doesn’t feel ‘normal’.
WHAT HELPS WITH FEMININE ITCH DURING MENOPAUSE?
Feminine dryness and itching during menopause is caused by the declining levels of estrogen, which cause atrophic vaginitis—a condition where the skin in the vagina becomes thinner and dryer. Prescription estrogen can help to ease these symptoms and is available in creams, tablets, or rings that are inserted inside the vagina.8
WHAT CAN TREAT VAGINAL ITCHING?
Treatments for vaginal itch vary depending on the underlying cause of the symptoms. Sometimes simple lifestyle changes, like changing soaps or type underwear is enough to solve the problem. When there is an underlying infection or sexually transmitted infection, you’ll need prescription medication. Over-the-counter products, like those containing hydrocortisone can help to treat the external symptoms of feminine itching.
WHEN SHOULD I GO SEE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER?
If you’re experiencing feminine itching it’s always best to see a healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes mis-used over-the-counter products can mask symptoms of more serious issues or make the itching worse.
SOURCES:
- Cleveland Clinic. Genital Psoriasis. Cleveland Clinic Health Library; Last updated 06 Feb 2023 [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25045-genital-psoriasis
- National Eczema Society. Female genital eczema. National Eczema Society; [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.eczema.org.uk/support/female-genital-eczema
- Cleveland Clinic. Vulvar Dermatitis. Cleveland Clinic Health Library; Last updated 13 Feb 2026 [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24336-vulvar-dermatitis
- Cleveland Clinic. Vulvitis. Cleveland Clinic Health Library; Last updated 21 Jun 2022 [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15175-vulvitis
- Nall R, Prophete C. Genital herpes: symptoms, causes, and treatment. Medical News Today; Updated 21 Dec 2023 [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323934
- Smith L, Patel P (medically reviewed). What to do about trichomoniasis. Medical News Today; Updated 4 Nov 2025 [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/307896
- Brazier Y (medically reviewed by Michaela Murphy, PA‑C). What to know about genital warts. Medical News Today; Updated 22 Sep 2022 [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155236
- Cleveland Clinic. Vaginitis. Cleveland Clinic Health Library; Last updated 18 Jun 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9131-vaginitis
- Avant Gynecology. Sitz Bath Instructions. Avant Gynecology; [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.avantgynecology.com/sitz-bath-instructions
- Berry J (medically reviewed by Priya Patel, MD). What causes vaginal itching? Medical News Today; Updated 27 Feb 2025 [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316595
- Vroomen Durning M. Vaginal Itching, Burning, and Irritation. WebMD; Medically reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on 08 May 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/women/vaginal-itching-burning-irritation
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Yeast infection during pregnancy: over-the-counter treatment OK? [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Clinic; 2024 Oct 12 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginitis/expert-answers/yeast-infection-during-pregnancy/faq-20058355
