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Itching
An_245596 posted:
I've been to three different GYNs in different locations for vaginal itching. My pap smears are normal but I have bumps and itching. All three didn't seem very concerned about it, should I be?
8 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:ItchingI've been to three different GYNs in different locations for vaginal itching. My pap smears are normal but I have bumps and itching. All three didn't seem very concerned about it, should I be?
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear An: While most women assume that vaginal itching is caused by a fungal infection (ie "yeast infection"), some other conditions which can produce yeast type symptoms include:
1. Cytolytic vaginitis--this is an overgrowth of the beneficial, hydrogen peroxide producing lactobacili that help keep the vagina clear of undesirable bacteria. An overgrowth can produce an itchy, burning, irritating discharge.
2. Lichen sclerosus--this is a skin condition outside the vagina (usually between the vaginal opening and the anus) that can create intense itching and irritation.
3. Contact dermatitis--this would be from a change in tampons/pads, new bubble bath, etc.
4. Low estrogen levels--classically this is seen in women after menopause but the symptoms of itching and dryness can also be noted in breast feeding women and in a few women using DepoProvera injections for birth control.
It sounds like yeast has been ruled out, as well as any other obvious cause. Should your symptoms persist perhaps you may wish to seek a GYN with specialized expertise in vulvar conditions. Such persons can be found in vulvar pain clinics; these are often associated with university or medical school programs.
Yours,
Jane
1. Cytolytic vaginitis--this is an overgrowth of the beneficial, hydrogen peroxide producing lactobacili that help keep the vagina clear of undesirable bacteria. An overgrowth can produce an itchy, burning, irritating discharge.
2. Lichen sclerosus--this is a skin condition outside the vagina (usually between the vaginal opening and the anus) that can create intense itching and irritation.
3. Contact dermatitis--this would be from a change in tampons/pads, new bubble bath, etc.
4. Low estrogen levels--classically this is seen in women after menopause but the symptoms of itching and dryness can also be noted in breast feeding women and in a few women using DepoProvera injections for birth control.
It sounds like yeast has been ruled out, as well as any other obvious cause. Should your symptoms persist perhaps you may wish to seek a GYN with specialized expertise in vulvar conditions. Such persons can be found in vulvar pain clinics; these are often associated with university or medical school programs.
Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:ItchingDear An: While most women assume that vaginal itching is caused by a fungal infection (ie "yeast infection"), some other conditions which can produce yeast type symptoms include: <br /><br />1. Cytolytic vaginitis--this is an overgrowth of the beneficial, hydrogen peroxide producing lactobacili that help keep the vagina clear of undesirable bacteria. An overgrowth can produce an itchy, burning, irritating discharge.<br /><br />2. Lichen sclerosus--this is a skin condition outside the vagina (usually between the vaginal opening and the anus) that can create intense itching and irritation.<br /><br />3. Contact dermatitis--this would be from a change in tampons/pads, new bubble bath, etc.<br /><br />4. Low estrogen levels--classically this is seen in women after menopause but the symptoms of itching and dryness can also be noted in breast feeding women and in a few women using DepoProvera injections for birth control.<br /><br />It sounds like yeast has been ruled out, as well as any other obvious cause. Should your symptoms persist perhaps you may wish to seek a GYN with specialized expertise in vulvar conditions. Such persons can be found in vulvar pain clinics; these are often associated with university or medical school programs.<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
JosephandMary responded:
I had the same problem and after I quit using soap it went alway. I use Cetaphil Gental Skin Cleanser for cleaning that part of my body.
Report This| Share this:ItchingI had the same problem and after I quit using soap it went alway. I use Cetaphil Gental Skin Cleanser for cleaning that part of my body.
KairosDeb responded:
I went to see my internist 6 years ago because of genital itching and the feeling that my perineum was stretched so tight that it would shred to pieces. I also made an appointment to see my GYN but had to wait for that appointment. Based on the fact that diabetes sometimes manifests with gynecological symptoms, he tested my blood sugar. The next day he called to tell me it was 498! My a1c was 11.9. I was a full blown diabetic. Once I got my blood sugar under control, my gynecological symptoms went away. A visit to your primary care physician may be in order. Don't give up. You know your body and you know when things aren't right. Good luck.
Report This| Share this:ItchingI went to see my internist 6 years ago because of genital itching and the feeling that my perineum was stretched so tight that it would shred to pieces. I also made an appointment to see my GYN but had to wait for that appointment. Based on the fact that diabetes sometimes manifests with gynecological symptoms, he tested my blood sugar. The next day he called to tell me it was 498! My a1c was 11.9. I was a full blown diabetic. Once I got my blood sugar under control, my gynecological symptoms went away. A visit to your primary care physician may be in order. Don't give up. You know your body and you know when things aren't right. Good luck.
Dnisey1964 responded:
Thank you for the original post and thank you all for the answers because I have had the same issues for YEARS
Report This| Share this:ItchingThank you for the original post and thank you all for the answers because I have had the same issues for YEARS
Heitfrau replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:
Thank you for posting these possible sources of feminine genital itching. I was a lifeguard for many years and suffered with constant summer yeast infections-before you could buy the remedies OTC. A few years ago I started taking AZO once a day and have not had another yeast infection. I have, however, fallen victim to another genital itching malaise, which is due to the lower estrogen levels after I went through menopause. I periodically have episodes of itching and dryness which I symptomatically treat with creams and wipes and the the symptoms will subside, sometimes for months. My GYN told me there is no real "cure", and luckily the condition is not nearly as aggravating as the yeast infections I used to have. Thank goodness I have no other health issues that cause these types of symptoms!
Report This| Share this:ItchingThank you for posting these possible sources of feminine genital itching. I was a lifeguard for many years and suffered with constant summer yeast infections-before you could buy the remedies OTC. A few years ago I started taking AZO once a day and have not had another yeast infection. I have, however, fallen victim to another genital itching malaise, which is due to the lower estrogen levels after I went through menopause. I periodically have episodes of itching and dryness which I symptomatically treat with creams and wipes and the the symptoms will subside, sometimes for months. My GYN told me there is no real "cure", and luckily the condition is not nearly as aggravating as the yeast infections I used to have. Thank goodness I have no other health issues that cause these types of symptoms!
testan responded:
too suffer from vaginal itching and my current gyno finally gave me estrace cream. that helps a lot. evidently my tissue has gotten really thin around the vaginal area and she thinks that is why. (even though i still have regular periods)
i had been to multiple doctors before and i can tell you the next doctor who told me that i switched soaps i just wanted to slap. rrrrr. (this was not the issue
)
i had been to multiple doctors before and i can tell you the next doctor who told me that i switched soaps i just wanted to slap. rrrrr. (this was not the issue
)Report This| Share this:Itching<i>too suffer from vaginal itching and my current gyno finally gave me estrace cream. that helps a lot. evidently my tissue has gotten really thin around the vaginal area and she thinks that is why. (even though i still have regular periods)<br />i had been to multiple doctors before and i can tell you the next doctor who told me that i switched soaps i just wanted to slap. rrrrr. (this was not the issue <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">)</i>
Dear Heitfrau: That is interesting about the lack of recurrent yeast infections after starting AZO--which is primarily treatment for urinary symptoms (but does not treat any underlying infection in the way an antibiotic would). Thanks to you, and testan, for emphasizing the discomfort that low levels of vaginal estrogen can cause. I particularly appreciated your mention that treatment with local estrogen creams/tiny pellets/low dose vaginal rings can be episodic. Whilst these products are often prescribed for consistent use (eg twice a week,for months at a time), many women choose to use local vaginal estrogen only until their symptoms have cleared. Further use depends upon when uncomfortable symptoms reappear.
In Gratitude,
Jane
In Gratitude,
Jane
Report This| Share this:ItchingDear Heitfrau: That is interesting about the lack of recurrent yeast infections after starting AZO--which is primarily treatment for urinary symptoms (but does not treat any underlying infection in the way an antibiotic would). Thanks to you, and testan, for emphasizing the discomfort that low levels of vaginal estrogen can cause. I particularly appreciated your mention that treatment with local estrogen creams/tiny pellets/low dose vaginal rings can be episodic. Whilst these products are often prescribed for consistent use (eg twice a week,for months at a time), many women choose to use local vaginal estrogen only until their symptoms have cleared. Further use depends upon when uncomfortable symptoms reappear.<br /><br />In Gratitude,<br />Jane
Thank you everyone! It is frustrating but I'll try those tips and see if that works. If not, round four here I go!
Report This| Share this:ItchingThank you everyone! It is frustrating but I'll try those tips and see if that works. If not, round four here I go!
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