Treating Vaginal Itch or Discharge at Home
Vaginal itch and discharge are two common symptoms that keep women wondering if something is wrong. The one thing every woman knows for sure is that these symptoms are annoying and uncomfortable, but you may not know why they’re happening or that you can get relief at home.
How to Stop Vaginal Itching at Home
Itching in and near your vagina can be caused by something simple, like irritation from sweat, fragrance or chemicals (in soap or detergents), or something else like a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted disease. Feminine itching can also be caused by side effects from a medicine you’re taking, chronic skin conditions, and even changes in estrogen levels (usually around menopause).
If itching is sudden and severe, especially if accompanied by pain, you may want to talk to your doctor first. If it’s milder and you do not have other symptoms, you may be able to treat your symptoms at home. MONISTAT CARE® Instant Itch Relief Cream provides fast relief for itching and irritation around the vaginal area. Instead of just numbing the itch, like many creams do, our fragrance-free Instant Itch Relief Cream contains 1% hydrocortisone to stop the itch instantly.
Once you’re feeling better, it’s time to figure out what’s causing your itch. Have you started using new products? This could be a new soap, lotion, laundry detergent, fabric softener or medicine. Are you using a new brand of tampon, pad or liner and do you replace them often enough during the day? Have you been swimming or exercising lately and didn’t change out of your wet or sweaty clothes right away? These are just some of the questions to ask yourself as you try to determine and then avoid the cause. Sometimes vaginal itch can even come from something as simple as razor burn.
If you have pain, blisters, wart-like bumps or discharge that’s green, gray or yellow, call your doctor and have him or her check you out. You can use our Doctor Discussion Guide to help start the conversation.
Instant Itch Relief Cream and Itch Spray
Learn about Monistat Care® Instant Itch Relief Cream & Spray
How Can I Tell if My Vaginal Discharge Is Normal?
While it may seem odd or mysterious, vaginal discharge is a normal, natural body process—a sort of self-cleaning as your vagina sheds older cells and fluid produced by glands in the cervix. This discharge actually helps keep your vagina healthy. At times, vaginal discharge can also be a different smell, texture or color. These changes may be normal (due to changes in hormone levels, for example) or a sign that something is wrong. So, how can you tell the difference? Often, if the discharge suddenly has a different smell, color or texture to it, you may have an infection or other condition, especially if the change in discharge also comes with unusual itching, burning, pain, redness or swelling in your vaginal area.
Know, too, that medicines you’re taking, conditions like diabetes, and pregnancy can all alter the smell and appearance of your discharge. (Read “What is the Texture of Your Vaginal Discharge Telling You?” for more details and a handy chart showing texture, symptoms and when to call a doctor.) Get to know what’s normal for you and notice the slight changes that may take place at different points in your menstrual cycle.
If you have abnormal discharge and know it is due to a yeast infection—because you’ve had one before and/or consulted a doctor—you can choose the MONISTAT® that’s right for you. All MONISTAT® yeast treatment product strengths can treat and cure your yeast infection at home and are equally effective.
If you have discharge due to a different kind of infection, you may need antibiotics to cure it (talk to your doctor). The best cure, of course, is prevention. Anytime you’re feeling uncomfortable or irritated in your vaginal area, switch to 100% cotton underwear, avoid tight clothing, and be sure to wipe front to back when you go to the bathroom.
Taking care of yourself also means being informed. Since young girls and many women may sometimes feel uncomfortable discussing such a personal topic, use our website as a resource for all your vaginal health questions. You can even check your symptoms to see if you may have a yeast infection. We hope you feel better soon!
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