Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMenopause and Estrogen LevelsEstrogen Levels and Vaginal ItchingOther CausesDiagnosisHome RemediesMedical TreatmentsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Menopause and Estrogen Levels
Estrogen Levels and Vaginal Itching
Other Causes
Diagnosis
Home Remedies
Medical Treatments
When to See a Healthcare Provider
FAQs
Vaginal itching is one of many symptoms women experience duringperimenopause, which is the transition intomenopause, as well asafter menopause. This is due to a condition calledatrophic vaginitis(vaginal atrophy), where the vagina’s lining becomes drier and thinner from decreased estrogen levels.
Treatment options include home remedies, such as oat baths and moisturizers, and prescription hormone therapies.
This article examines vaginal itching during perimenopause and after menopause, medications and home remedies that may help alleviate the discomfort, and when to see your healthcare provider.
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As women age, theirestrogenlevels change as they approach menopause. Once the ovaries stop producing eggs, hormone levels decrease, andmenstruationcomes to an end (a full 12 months), a woman has reached menopause and is no longer fertile.
Estrogen is a key hormone that aids in the development and health of the reproductive organs. During perimenopause, estrogen levels decline in a sporadic manner. Symptoms may include changes in sex drive, hot flashes and night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
However, after menopause some conditions are linked to the big drop in estrogen levels that includeosteoporosisand an increase in heart disease. Slower metabolism and weight gain are also associated with menopause.
Menopause SymptomsWhen transitioning into menopause, your symptoms may include:Hot flashesNight sweats and/or cold flashesVaginal dryness; painful sexFrequent urinationInsomniaEmotional changesDry skin, dry eyes, or dry mouth
Menopause Symptoms
When transitioning into menopause, your symptoms may include:Hot flashesNight sweats and/or cold flashesVaginal dryness; painful sexFrequent urinationInsomniaEmotional changesDry skin, dry eyes, or dry mouth
When transitioning into menopause, your symptoms may include:
As estrogen levels decrease, vaginal atrophy can occur. This causes the vaginal lining to become thinner and lose its elasticity, and the vaginal canal narrows and shortens. The first sign is a decrease of vaginal fluids but also a burning and/or itching of the vagina and vulvar (pruritus). Other vaginal atrophy symptoms may include:
There may also be urinary symptoms such as:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider who can assess whether or not it is vaginal atrophy.
Other Causes of Vaginal Itching
While vaginal atrophy may be the cause of vaginal itching, there are other conditions that can lead to similar discomfort including:
Vaginal itching can also occur from sweat,eczema, or wearing tight clothing.
To initiate the appropriate treatment for vaginal itching your healthcare provider may perform an exam and other testing which may include:
These tests will look for signs of vaginal atrophy as well as infection or other concerns. For example, if it’s a yeast infection, an antifungal medication will be prescribed.
Once your healthcare provider diagnoses vaginal atrophy, they may recommend medications or home remedies to address dryness and soothe your vaginal itching.
What Helps Vaginal Irritation (Not Just Itching)
Home Remedies for Vaginal Itching
Your healthcare provider may recommend that you try somehome remediesto help relieve the symptoms of vaginal atrophy.
Take Oatmeal Baths
Oats that are ground and blended into a fine powder are called colloidal oatmeal.
Colloidal oatmeal can help alleviate skin dryness and itchiness and is used in a variety of personal care products. In a series of studies, researchers discovered that personal care products that listed colloidal oatmeal as a key ingredient had a low irritant and low allergic potential.
Colloidal oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal products can be added to a warm bath to sooth vaginal itching.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids can benefit general health and skin health. If you’re dehydrated, it can dry out skin and may worsen symptoms of vaginal atrophy.
Avoid Irritants
A reduction in natural vaginal lubrication may make you more susceptible to irritation. Avoid abrasive soaps, cleansers, and detergents.
Instead, opt for fragrance-free products that are marketed for dry or sensitive skin
Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing
Friction from tight clothing can lead to additional irritation. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and soft materials, such as cotton underwear.
Bathe Properly
Bathe regularly, and especially after you’ve been sweaty, but make sure the water is warm not hot. Hot baths and showers may further dry out your skin and increase skin irritation.
Try Moisturizers
Over-the-counter non-hormonal vaginal moisturizers can be used regularly to help retain moisture and soothe irritation. They often contain hyaluronic acid and are inserted into the vagina as a gel or suppository about three times per week.
Natural moisturizers, such as coconut oil, may be used as a moisturizer or lubricant. However, oils shouldn’t be paired with latex condoms since the the oil can break down the latex.
Use Lubricants During Sex
Water- or silicone-based vaginal lubricants can be added during sex to help reduce friction due to dryness and to hep prevent the resulting pain and irritation.Avoid lubricants with glycerin, which can lead to additional dryness and irritation.
Medical Treatments for Vaginal Itching
If your healthcare provider determines vaginal atrophy is the cause of your vaginal itching, they may suggest topical (vaginal) or oralhormone therapy(HT) to help restore depleted estrogen and reduce itching.
Vaginal Estrogen
Vaginal estrogen is one of the most effective and commonly prescribed treatments for vaginal dryness.
Vaginal hormone therapy can provide relief from the symptoms of vaginal atrophy, but it can also help restore the vagina’s acidity levels, thicken the skin (back to how it was originally), maintain natural moisture, and improve bacterial balance.
Vaginal estrogen comes in the following forms:
Oral Hormone Therapy
If you have other symptoms of perimenopause, such as hot flashess, or the vaginal estrogen is ineffective, your healthcare provider may recommend your try a prescription oral hormone therapy. It is typically a combination of estrogen and progestin.
If you are experiencing other symptoms like a foul smelling discharge, bleeding, chronic urinary tract infections, pain, or a fever, call your healthcare provider to make sure there are no other issues.
Summary
What Genitourinary Syndrome Is and Why It Matters
Frequently Asked QuestionsMenopause usually starts around age 50, but in some women it can start earlier.Perimenopause often lasts about seven years, but it can be as long as 14 years.When your menstrual period has been gone for longer than 12 consecutive months, you’ve entered postmenopause, when you’re no longer ovulating.Menopause on average starts between the ages of 45 and 55. For some women, early menopause starts at age 45 or younger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Menopause usually starts around age 50, but in some women it can start earlier.
Perimenopause often lasts about seven years, but it can be as long as 14 years.When your menstrual period has been gone for longer than 12 consecutive months, you’ve entered postmenopause, when you’re no longer ovulating.
Menopause on average starts between the ages of 45 and 55. For some women, early menopause starts at age 45 or younger.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.Bachmann GA, Nevadunsky NS.Diagnosis and treatment of atrophic vaginitis.AFP. 2000;61(10):3090-3096.MedlinePlus.Vaginal itching and discharge.van Dijk G, Kavousi M, Troup J, Franco OH,Health issues for menopausal women: the top 11 conditions have common solutions.Maturitas. 2015;80(1):24-30. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.09.013UpToDate.Patient education: vaginal dryness (beyond the basics).UpToDate.Treatment of menopausal symptoms with hormone therapy.National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.Bachmann GA, Nevadunsky NS.Diagnosis and treatment of atrophic vaginitis.AFP. 2000;61(10):3090-3096.MedlinePlus.Vaginal itching and discharge.van Dijk G, Kavousi M, Troup J, Franco OH,Health issues for menopausal women: the top 11 conditions have common solutions.Maturitas. 2015;80(1):24-30. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.09.013UpToDate.Patient education: vaginal dryness (beyond the basics).UpToDate.Treatment of menopausal symptoms with hormone therapy.National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.Bachmann GA, Nevadunsky NS.Diagnosis and treatment of atrophic vaginitis.AFP. 2000;61(10):3090-3096.MedlinePlus.Vaginal itching and discharge.van Dijk G, Kavousi M, Troup J, Franco OH,Health issues for menopausal women: the top 11 conditions have common solutions.Maturitas. 2015;80(1):24-30. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.09.013UpToDate.Patient education: vaginal dryness (beyond the basics).UpToDate.Treatment of menopausal symptoms with hormone therapy.National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.
Bachmann GA, Nevadunsky NS.Diagnosis and treatment of atrophic vaginitis.AFP. 2000;61(10):3090-3096.
MedlinePlus.Vaginal itching and discharge.
van Dijk G, Kavousi M, Troup J, Franco OH,Health issues for menopausal women: the top 11 conditions have common solutions.Maturitas. 2015;80(1):24-30. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.09.013
UpToDate.Patient education: vaginal dryness (beyond the basics).
UpToDate.Treatment of menopausal symptoms with hormone therapy.
National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?
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