Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Vaginal Itch with Strange Pattern

About 2 years ago, during a stressful time in my life, I began experiencing a vaginal itch. It is external only and I experience NO discharge or odor or burning or any other symptoms along with the itch. I thought it was due to stress, and didn't think much about it. I was on ortho tri cyclen birth control pills at the time.

Soon after, I got married and went off of the bcp. I thought maybe the itch was connected to the bcp and would go away once I went off. It didn't.

Now I can count on this itch like CLOCKWORK every month. I have been to the Dr. and been checked for yeast but he didn't find anything. My pap smear was normal also.

The strange thing about the itch is the pattern in which it appears. Starting on day 10, exactly, every month of my cycle I have a moderate itch that then goes away a day later. Then, on day 17 the itch returns, again moderate, and goes away 3 or 4 days before my period.
Also strange, the itch is improved by sex - after having sex the itch can disappear for 2 or 3 days.
I really only notice the itch (for the most part) when I wipe myself after urinating - then I get a farily intense urge to scratch myself.

I have brown spotting for 3-4 days before my period. I'm trying to get pregnant and wondering if these are signs of a hormonal problem. I have been to an RE already and had some initial testing which was all normal.....Drs don't seem to have any explanation for this itch, nor do they seem overly interested/concerned in it. I also have some fairly bad dryness during sex....so maybe this is all a vaginal dryness issue?? I have no idea - has anyone experience anything like this?????
11 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
There is another thread on here with 3 yrs worth of comments!! it sound v similar to your prob type in labia itch and you should find it
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
OMG ! i have the same symptoms n problems. and it appears to follow the same pattern u described.the same thing. i wish i could have an answer.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have no idea if anyone here is still reading these, but I have been plagued with an itch for about 3-4 months now...it's a sort of 'shocking' itch that subsides within seconds, and it just affects one part of my labia minora on the left. It's madness...it doesn't follow a super defined pattern, but it comes and goes intermittently like described by relsctd. It seems to occur in a kind of fold of skin, not far from the vaginal opening.

The gyn said it was yeast on inspection, but didn't do a swab to make sure. I've tried over the counter yeast meds, they make the whole area more itchy and irritated. I don't have any other symptoms of yeast, so I've stopped believing that's the cause. I believe it's some type of dermatitis. I have severe pollen/dander allergies, and very sensitive skin in general. If I itch, the whole area will become inflamed, and I'll have an allergic type reaction all over my labia.

My friend, who is a naturopath, recommended apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball, applied each day for a week. This worked like a charm for the most part but does burn momentarily. I still get a twinge now and then, but if I look in that area when I'm having the twinge, I'll see some discharge or a piece of toilet paper...so I believe that is what the irritant is.

When you itch, the skin becomes damaged creating the itch/scratch cycle of doom. So if you can control the itch with vinegar, the skin eventually heals, and then the cycle stops. Keeping the area clean and free from irritants is also a must, and loose clothing as well. I wash the area gently in the shower with plain water 2x per day.

Vinegar could potentially be an irritant for some, so exercise caution if it makes it worse. The initial burn should go away within seconds/minutes and should diminish over time. You can dilute the vinegar as well.

If your skin is terribly damaged, you may want to try some aloe juice instead of vinegar...you can find that in the natural/vitamin section of the grocery store.

Main point of all of this: DON'T ITCH as much as you can possibly bear it! I believe allergens on my hands may have contributed to the problem when I've itched, and perhaps laundry detergent/fabric softener if I've itched through clothing. I also believe I'm sensitive to toilet tissue, so I have to be very careful when wiping. It really *****, and I feel terrible for anyone going through this...best wishes and I hope you find relief!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had this itch for about 15 years.  My left labia majora was all enlarged and extremely itchy and painful.  I tried a couple different doctors and all kinds of herbal self help stuff with 0% difference.  Mine seems to get worse with my period.  I did a lot of research on it and it is amazing how many women suffer from this.  I finally found a forum where one women found the problem and was cured.  So I took all this information in to a gyno.  They did a biopsy of the area and it came up as hypertrophic squamous mucosa with mild hyper parakeratosis.  That's a mouth full.  I reserched it under this name and found nothing so fa,r unless I researched each word.  The gyno told me that it was the same thing as squamous cell hyperplasia, which I found easily.  She gave me a strong steroid ointment to heal it and a numbing ointment to releave the itch.  She also gave me an antihistimine stonger then benadryl to take orally at night.  I have been using them know for 1 1/2 weeks.  My labia has almost returned to it's original size and the itch is just barely there at night.  My suggestion is to call around and find a gyno who is familiar with this term befor you see them.  I sincerely hope you find the answer.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I stopped taking birth control in July. That is when the itch started. Could just be a coincidence?? It is now November and I'm dealing with these exact symptoms and it unbearable! Especially at night!!! I have been to the gyno and there is "nothing gynecologically wrong with me". I was prescribed a steroid cream but it has a warning label that says it darkens the skin and it really doesn't help anyway.
I know this thread is old but it was the first one I saw that matched my symptoms!!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have just had 2 days of the same symptoms for the first time in my life and am in the middle of my period    Have had 2 sleepless nights too..  I thought it was a new sanitary napkin I just bought and tried, but changed back to the old ones I used and the symptoms are still there.  Will wait and see if  it stops  after  my periods. In the interim   used PawPaw lotion and has been a great temporary relief. Figure they use it on baby  bottoms so should be safe.   Will report back in a week or so.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I also have the same ich but mine started in the anal area and slowly to pubic and the labias. Its been about 4 years I've see my primary doc and ob they find nothing, very frustrating! Alot of times I wake in the of the night with the itch, the only thing that has worked is cortaide cream but recently even that has not been working. I've been thinking of seeing a dermotolagist.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I suffer with the same problem.  I have had it for about 6 months.  Went to the gyn and was checked for everything encluding Herpes and all test were neg.  I remember it started after I had an alergic reaction to some bath soap. and it has not stopped.  I am so fustrated.  I try not to touch it because it set off excessive scratching.  I wish there were more help out there from physicians.  I also think it may be related to stress, I have been under a lot lately.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This really sounds like you need a lotion or a cleansing gel (hopefully). I highly suggest something with a balanced pH .. so you don't give yourself some other problems. I use Fresh Control Intimate Cleansing Gel. Works like a charm for me :) They have a moisturizing lotion as well (I think?) .. I think it's worth checking out! It's a bit pricey, but money well spent if the itching goes away!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the very same problem,I've been using petogen for abt 4 years now I've changed to triphasil because of the itch n dischage coming out.I don't know wat to do
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Women's Health Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.