- Itching or dryness of external female genital area (vulva).
- Rashes of external female genital area including: sores, redness, blisters, lumps.
General Information
Common Causes of Vulvar Itching
- Contact Dermatitis: Soaps/ detergents, douches, and perfumed toilet products can cause local irritation. The treatment for this is to avoid these products and maintain good genital hygiene.
- Menopause: At menopause the ovaries stop functioning, and as a result the body produces less estrogen. Without estrogen, the skin in the genital area can become thin and women notice increased dryness. There are estrogen-based vaginal crèmes or lubricants that your physician can prescribe to reduce this itching and dryness.
- Yeast Infection: Sometimes itching can be caused by a yeast infection (Candida). Often there is a new or increased vaginal discharge (thick, white, cottage cheese-like, non-odorous discharge). There are a number of over the counter medications for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections
.
Other Causes of Vulvar Symptoms
- Any preexisting skin disorders/rashes can also occur on the vulva (e.g., psoriasis, eczema, drug rashes).
- Bartholin's cyst.
- Irritation after sexual intercourse (e.g., inadequate lubrication causing friction abrasion, latex-condom allergy).
- Skin cancer and skin dermatoses (e.g., lichen sclerosis, squamous hyperplasia).
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (e.g., STD's like Herpes simplex, Syphilis, pubic lice, genital warts).
|
If not, see these other symptoms
|