We hardly talk about female reproductive and sexual health openly on any platform. Although there are several health problems related to them that are barely discussed. The problems range from mild infections to chronic diseases. One of them is vaginal itching.

There is no single reason that can cause vaginal itching, in fact, there are several infections or hormonal changes in the body that can result in vaginal itching. Some of them are listed here.

Urinary Tract Infection – It is the infection of the urinary tract of the body. The urinary tract comprises the ureter, bladder, kidneys, and urethra. Its symptoms include a strong urge to pass urine, a burning sensation while urinating, and a foul-smelling pee. UTI may cause itchiness or irritation of the vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis – Bacterial vaginosis is caused when the normal balance of the vagina gets disturbed. This causes vaginal inflammation due to the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina. However, the exact reason causing bacterial vaginosis is still unknown, but experts believe that unprotected sex or frequent douching may increase the risk of this infection.

Yeast infection – It is a fungal infection caused by vaginal candidiasis. The symptoms include intense itching, discharge, and irritation in the vagina and vulva. Although this is not a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) , frequent sexual intercourse may increase the risk of STI.

Sexually Transmitted Infection - According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 8 pathogens are known to cause higher incidences of STIs, which include syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis which are curable. STIs caused by gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis may cause genital itching.

Hormonal changes – Hormonal imbalance can be a reason for itchy vaginal skin. Hormonal changes nearing perimenopause and menopause can make the female genital skin prone to dryness and itching. A decrease in estrogen level causes this. 

Pubic lice – Pubic lice are small insects found in genital areas and these insects cause itching. The worst thing about them is that they can spread to areas with more body hairs like legs and cause problems there also. 

(Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.  Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other health professionals for any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.)