- Your vagina may be itchy if you have an allergy to an irritant like soap, detergent, and more.
- Itchiness may also be the result of a yeast infection, which also causes white discharge.
- STIs, vaginal warts, bacterial vaginosis, menopause, eczema, and more can also cause itching.
- Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.
Itching "down there" can be super uncomfortable and concerning if you're unsure what's causing it. Your vagina and vulva (the external genital area including the labia and clitoris) are extremely sensitive and susceptible to irritation, leading to itching and other potential symptoms such as unusual discharge, burning, or redness.
The culprit could be anything from an irritant to an STI –– so it's important to identify the cause for proper treatment.
Here are nine reasons why your vagina and vulva might be itchy.
1. Exposure to an irritant or allergen
"The vulvar skin is among the most sensitive in the body, and can be easily irritated," says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, OB-GYN and Clinical Professor at Yale University.
One way this can happen is through contact dermatitis.
This can be caused by any potential irritant that comes in contact with your skin such as:
- Soap
- Bubble bath
- Detergents
- Scented feminine hygiene products
Aside from itchiness, you might also experience a red rash.
How to treat it: First things first, stop using the products that you think might be the culprit. You can try using a topical steroid (on the external vulva area only) and taking an antihistamine to help with the discomfort, says Minkin.
2. Yeast infection
Yeast infections are an extremely common cause of an itchy vagina, affecting over one million women in the US every year.
Minkin says the main signs of yeast infections are itching and a thick white cottage-cheese like discharge. This occurs when there's an overgrowth of the naturally occuring yeast in your vagina, throwing off your flora.
Other symptoms of yeast infections include:
- Redness and swelling
- Pain or soreness
- Burning during sex or urination
How to treat it: Over-the-counter antifungal creams or suppositories such as Monistat might do the trick, or, you may need to see your OB-GYN for a prescription strength cream or an oral antifungal pill called Diflucan.
3. Bacterial vaginosis
Your vagina contains both "good" and "bad" bacteria, which are usually healthily balanced. However, bacterial vaginosis happens when there's an overgrowth of the bad bacteria, which can cause itching, says Minkin.
Other symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV) are:
- Thin, watery discharge that's gray, green, or white
- Fishy smelling odor
- Burning while urinating or sex
How to treat it: BV treatment typically involves either an oral antibiotic such as metronidazole or a topical cream that gets inserted into the vagina such as clindamycin.
4. Menopause
Menopausal women experience a drop in their levels of estrogen, which can result in a dry, itchy vagina, says Sophia Yen, MD, MPH, a reproductive health expert and the co-founder/CEO of women's telehealth provider Pandia Health.
This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as vaginal atrophy. Other symptoms include:
- Burning sensation in the vagina
- Painful sex
- Spotting
How to treat it: The best treatment for this is prescription estrogen, says Yen. Estrogen creams, suppositories, tablets, and rings are available. Additionally, using lube during sex can be a big help, Yen says.
5. Eczema
Eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition that can cause dry, itchy skin.
While it's more common to have eczema on other parts of your body such as the inside of your elbows or backs of your knees, it is possible (but not very common) to experience eczema on the skin of your vulva, Yen says.
More symptoms you may experience if you have eczema on your vagina or vulva are:
- Red rashes
- Bumpy skin
- Scaly or crusty patches of skin
- Painful sex
How to treat it: You can moisturize the dry skin with a fragrance-free moisturizer that you know doesn't irritate you, Yen says. You can also talk to your doctor who may prescribe a topical steroid.
6. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily causes itchy, scaly patches on the skin. The skin may appear red with silvery scales.
Similar to eczema, Yen says you are more likely to experience the patches elsewhere on your body, but it is possible for it to crop up on your vulva, causing itching in the area.
How to treat it: Since psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that likely affects you in other ways as well, Yen does not recommend self-treatment. Typically, a doctor may prescribe steroids or immunosuppressant drugs.
7. Genital warts
Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), and these warts can be very uncomfortable and itchy, says Yen. Their main characteristic is a cauliflower-like appearance, if there is a cluster of warts together.
Other symptoms of gential warts are:
- Small bumps that are pink, brown, or flesh colored
- Bleeding during sex
How to treat it: Genital warts should not be self-treated. Your doctor may recommend treatments such as prescription topical creams or surgical procedures that may freeze, burn, or cut off the warts.
8. Genital herpes
Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), can result in extremely itchy and painful sores, says Yen. Aside from itching and pain, the visual signs of genital herpes are:
- Small white blisters
- Small red bumps
- Ulcers (after blisters pop)
- Scabs (after ulcers heal)
If it's your first herpes outbreak, you may also experience flu like symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin area
How to treat it: Antiviral medications are the main way to manage herpes. They can help shorten outbreaks and prevent future ones, as well as lower your chances of spreading the virus to others.
9. Trichomoniasis
This sexually transmitted infection (STI), sometimes referred to as "trich" often doesn't result in symptoms, but when it doesis characterized by itching and greenish vaginal discharge, says Yen.
More signs that your itchy vagina might be due to trichomoniasis include:
- Foul smelling discharge
- Burning
- Redness
- Pain while urinating
- Pain during sex
How to treat it: You cannot treat trichomoniasis at home. Your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics to treat the infection.
Insider's takeaway
Many causes for an itchy vagina or vulva are common and easily treated and cured, while others may require more long-term management. Proper diagnosis is key.
"If you have itching which persists after your use of some over the counter products, or avoiding irritants, do check in with your gynecology health care provider for a checkup. It's easy to do cultures and other tests to evaluate these other problems," says Minkin.