Vaginal dryness and itching: causes and recommendations

• Published by: Laima Jansons

Peeling skin always causes a lot of discomfort. It is accompanied by itching, burning, redness, scratching, and leads to dry skin. However, the most discomfort is caused by peeling in the external genital area. This is due, first of all, to the inability to quietly relieve the painful itching.

Photo 1: Peeling skin in the intimate area in women causes a lot of unpleasant sensations and worries. Source: flickr (Vladimir Ena).

Causes of dry labia

The appearance of vaginal discomfort is mainly associated with hormonal changes in the body.

Thus, a deficiency of the female sex hormones estrogen leads to a decrease in the production of natural secretions and disruption of the acidity level of the mucous membrane.

Dryness and burning in the intimate area when wearing trousers

The most common situations when a woman faces this problem:

• Pregnancy and postpartum period. The period of gestation is characterized by significant changes in hormonal levels, which affects the microflora of the vagina. The appearance of dryness and itching of the labia during pregnancy is fraught with scratching and the formation of abrasions, into which pathogenic microorganisms can enter. This is especially dangerous given the woman's position and the possibility of infection of the fetus. Therefore, if severe dryness of the labia and vagina occurs during pregnancy, you should definitely tell your doctor about these symptoms;
• Taking certain medications that reduce estrogen production (antihistamines, oral contraceptives, drugs to lower blood pressure, etc.);
• Menopause. Vaginal discomfort during menopause in women is also associated with hormonal changes. Estrogen deficiency leads to changes in the mucous membrane and loss of its elasticity, and local immunity decreases.

Why does vaginal dryness occur?

Causes of vaginal dryness also include:

• Use of products unsuitable for daily intimate hygiene (regular shower gels, soap). Washing gels for intimate care, as a rule, have a pH level corresponding to the physiological acid-base level of the genital organs, which allows maintaining the natural balance of the vaginal microflora;
• Leukoplakia. This is a disease that is characterized by a change in the upper layer of the epithelium of the cervix (hardening or keratinization) and is accompanied by itching, dryness and burning in the vaginal area;
• Frequent douching. This procedure can lead to dysbacteriosis, dryness, redness and peeling of the labia;
• Smoking and alcohol abuse. Alcohol and tobacco affect hormone production, which can lead to dryness and irritation of the labia majora and minora.
• Surgical interventions;
• Stress and depression. Unresolved stressful situations and prolonged depression lead to increased production of the hormone cortisol.

How can you get rid of unpleasant sensations in the intimate area and what should you use to smear your labia when they are dry? To solve this problem, the Intimate Moisturizing Gel GINOCOMFORT is well suited. It was developed by specialists from the pharmaceutical company VERTEX and is used to eliminate vaginal discomfort caused by hormonal changes. This product has undergone clinical studies conducted at the Department of Dermatovenereology with the clinic of the First St. Petersburg State Medical University under the leadership of Ignatovsky A.V. and Sokolovsky E.V. Testing of the product has shown that it has a soft and delicate effect on the mucous membrane, replenishing the lack of natural lubrication. The natural components of the gel help relieve inflammation, have a healing effect and prevent the occurrence of microcracks and abrasions. The product has the necessary documents and quality certificates.

Dryness in the intimate area during menopause

There are quite effective folk remedies for treating this disease - various herbal infusions and baths. But the main thing to remember is that any alarming symptom is a reason to visit a specialist. Only after examination and study of tests is it possible to diagnose the cause and prescribe adequate treatment.

Diagnosis of vulvitis

Only a gynecologist can confirm the symptoms and prescribe treatment for vulvitis, since despite the visual evidence of some signs, there are a number of pathologies that have a similar clinical course. In particular, this group includes a dangerous oncological process - vulvar cancer .

A comprehensive diagnosis of the disease involves a thorough examination of the genital organs using a standard set of gynecological instruments and, if necessary, endoscopic equipment. The doctor also performs rectal palpation and prescribes a stool test for the patient to rule out helminthiasis. Next, the gynecologist will take smears from the mucous membrane of the external genitalia and vagina to conduct a bacterioscopic and bacteriological test.

In the first case, a sample of biological material is examined under a microscope in order to accurately identify the causative agent of vulvitis. During a bacteriological study, a microbiologist inoculates the material on a nutrient medium with subsequent isolation of the causative strain of pathogens. Bacteriological culture also makes it possible to test the sensitivity of detected pathogens to various types of antibacterial drugs.

Unpleasant sensations in intimate areas, video

Gynecologist Irina Garyaeva about vaginal dryness.
Source - KVD - dermatovenerological dispensary Sources:

1. THERAPY OF UROGENITAL DISORDERS CAUSED BY ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY. Serov V.N. // Obstetrics, gynecology and reproduction. – 2010. – No. 1. – P. 21-35.
2. PROBLEMS OF UROGENITAL DYSTROPHY IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AND PERIMENOPAUSAL AGE. Karahalis L.Yu. // Kuban Scientific Medical Bulletin. – 2007.
3. Features of urogenital disorders in perimenopause. Balan V. E., Ankirskaya A. S., Muravyova V. V., Tikhomirova E. V. // Materials of the V Russian Forum “Mother and Child”. - 2003. - P. 290.
4. The overactive bladder. Bulmer P., Abrams P. // Rev Contemp Pharmocother. – 2000. – No. 11. R. 1–11.
5. Characteristics of hot flashes in women of different age groups. Karahalis L. Yu., Fedorovich O. K. // AG-info. - 2006. - No. 2. - P. 26–31.
6. https://www.verywellhealth.com/natural-remedies-for-vaginal-dryness-90070
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/vaginal-itching
8. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321615.php
9. https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/vaginal-dryness-causes-moisturizing-treatments#1

Treatment

Therapy methods are selected taking into account the cause of the pathology:

• antihistamines are prescribed for an allergic reaction;
• antibiotics are prescribed in case of sexually transmitted diseases;
• antifungal agents must be taken for candidiasis;
• vitamins are required in case of vitamin deficiency.

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. They will relieve swelling and relieve pain. Local agents – antibacterial ointments and gels – also demonstrate high effectiveness. They are also used to improve a man's overall well-being.

Is the skin on your penis peeling? Come to our clinic. Experienced doctors will make a diagnosis and select the optimal treatment method. Make an appointment with a urologist in Moscow by phone.

Popular questions

I am concerned about dryness and slight itching in the vagina.
Which Gynocomfort is better to use: calming or restorative? To eliminate dryness and itching, Ginocomfort moisturizing gel with mallow extract is better suited. The gel is used in 1 dose 1 time per day for 7-14 days.

For six months now I have had dry vulva, white thick discharge, like kefir, with a bitter or sour odor, and lack of lubrication during sex. It seems like all the symptoms of thrush, but my smears are clean. I rented it out several times. The mucous membrane became very sensitive in the morning. Even if you lubricate it with Ginocomfort gel, the entire surface burns. It's like it was scratched there. From March to January I took the COC Yarina+, but then stopped because... I thought it was a side effect.

Please tell me how can I find out the cause of this condition? You need to conduct a more expanded set of examinations: PCR for STIs (for example, femoflor screening), culture for nonspecific microflora, smear analysis for oncocytology. The results will help not only assess the balance of microflora, but also the degree of hormonal saturation, which is also important in ensuring hydration and elasticity of the mucous membranes.

Good afternoon The doctor prescribed Gynocomfort because of vaginal dryness (I have been taking OK for a long time), I use a gel with mallow extract. When using it, I experience pain, burning and itching, but after a short period of time everything returns to normal, the sensations are good. But I have been using it for more than one week, and the itching and burning is still there. And my young man, after using the gel as a lubricant, developed a cheesy coating and redness. What could it be? Tests for thrush, STIs and HPV are negative. I have vaginitis, I take a course of “Genferon” (5 days for 3 cycles after menstruation), but I use “Gynocomfort”

separately from him. Is pain and burning normal when using this gel? Do I need to stop using Gynocomfort? Hello! If the complaints you describe quickly stop and do not cause further inconvenience, then you should continue using the gel. This is the reaction of the mucous membranes to the onset of the gel’s action. After contact, the partner should take hygienic measures, since the white coating is the result of the interaction of the gel with the contents of the genital tract.

Good afternoon I feel dryness, burning and itching in the vagina; I was previously treated for thrush. I am 44 years old, 8 mm epithelium, uterine fibroids.

Hello!
After anti-inflammatory therapy, an important step is to restore the pH of the environment in the genital tract and lactoflora, which maintains the elasticity of the mucous membranes and hydration. I recommend using Gynocomfort gel with tea tree oil for 7-10 days, 1 dose once a day. For an accurate diagnosis, contact a specialist

Montavit ointment

The active composition of the gel is represented only by hydroxyethylcellulose with powerful moisturizers. But the presence of glycerin and chlorhexidine hydroxychloride in Montavit is therapeutically significant. As well as milk sugar - a nutrient medium for beneficial lactic acid bacteria that constantly live in the vagina. They break down an organic compound, actively grow and reproduce. The use of the gel for irritation of any severity has a positive effect on well-being:

• vaginal discomfort disappears: dryness, burning, itching;

• the mucous membranes of the vagina are moisturized;
• the deficiency of natural lubrication is replenished;
• mucous membranes soften;
• inflammatory processes weaken;

• prevents repeated tissue damage;
• recovery is accelerated.

Glycerin softens tissues and saturates them with moisture. Even after a single application of the ointment, dryness, tightness, and discomfort after urination disappear. If an area of ​​skin is damaged by a razor, then chlorhexidine from Montavit will prevent the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms into it.

A single dose is a 2-3 cm strip of ointment taken from the bottle. The hygiene product is distributed evenly, do not rub in, or wash off with water. Montavit can be used for an unlimited time, especially during menopause and the postpartum period.