Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Prevention
Vaginal itching during pregnancy is common and often due to hormonal changes that disrupt the pH balance of the vagina. This can lead to itch-inducing vaginal dryness and sweatiness, as well asyeast infections(which usually also cause thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge).
Certain medications can also cause vaginal dryness and itching. Less commonly,bacteria vaginosis (BV)or an undiagnosedsexually transmitted infection(STI) may be the underlying cause. This is important to consider since these conditions can pose certain health risks to a fetus.
This article explores the causes of vaginal itching during pregnancy. It also explains how vaginal itching can be treated and prevented based on the underlying cause.
Lane Oatey / Blue Jean Images / Getty Images
What Causes Vaginal Itching During Pregnancy?
There are many reasons you may experience vaginal itching during pregnancy. Most do not call for aggressive treatment, but some do require medication. Eight possible causes include the following:
Why Do I Itch More at Night When I’m Pregnant?Intrahepatic cholestasisof pregnancyis one possibility. This liver condition triggers intense itching without a rash, which tends to increase at night. This commonly occurs during late pregnancy in the third trimester and requires treatment. Due to the risk that it poses to a fetus, early delivery may be recommended.
Why Do I Itch More at Night When I’m Pregnant?
Intrahepatic cholestasisof pregnancyis one possibility. This liver condition triggers intense itching without a rash, which tends to increase at night. This commonly occurs during late pregnancy in the third trimester and requires treatment. Due to the risk that it poses to a fetus, early delivery may be recommended.
What Causes Vaginal Itching With No Discharge?
Vaginal Itching Treatment During Pregnancy
There are various ways to treat vaginal itching depending on the underlying cause. These include home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and prescription drugs.
Home Remedies
Home remedies generally do not treat the underlying cause of vaginal itching. They simply relieve the symptoms and may be appropriate if the itching is mild.
Here are some home remedies that can help:
Over-the-Counter Medications
Over-the-counter antifungal medications that treat mild yeast infections are available. These include creams and ointments that get applied to the skin and suppositories, which get inserted into the vagina.
Antifungal agents commonly used in OTC vaginal preparations include:
Topical antifungals can treat a vaginal yeast infection at any point during pregnancy and do not pose a risk to a fetus.
There are also topical medications like Vagisil cream that do not contain an antifungal agent but are designed to reduce itch with topical anesthetics like benzocaine or lidocaine.
Prescription Medications
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a seven-day course of a topical antifungal as the most appropriate option for treating a yeast infection during pregnancy.Prescription-strength versions are available if the infection is severe.
However, oral antifungals arenotrecommended. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently advises against the use of high-doseDiflucan (fluconazole)due to the risk of birth defects. The risk is greatest during the first trimester and at doses greater than 400 milligrams (mg).
Taking a prescription antiviral drug like Zovirax (acyclovir) is imperative if there is an active outbreak of genital herpes during pregnancy. Other STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, require treatment with a prescription antibiotic likeceftriaxone.
Bacterial vaginosis is most commonly treated with the antibioticsFlagyl (metronidazole)orClidacin (clindamycin).
How a Vaginal Yeast Infection Is Treated
When Should I Be Worried About Vaginal Itching?
You should see your healthcare provider if you are not responding to treatment for a vaginal infection during pregnancy, particularly if:
When to Call 911
Call 911 or rush to your nearest emergency room if you have signs or symptoms of miscarriage or other pregnancy complications irrespective of the cause. This is especially true if:
Preventing Vaginal Itching
There are certain practices that can reduce the risk of vaginal yeast infections and other causes of vaginal itching:
Summary
Home remedies may relieve vaginal itching. However, if you have an infection or are experiencing severe symptoms, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider. Vaginal infections may be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications depending on the specific diagnosis.
To keep your vagina healthy, be sure to practice good hygiene and note anything that may trigger irritation or itchiness.
15 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.Aguin TJ, Sobel JD.Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy.Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015;17(6):30. doi:10.1007/s11908-015-0462-0Disha T, Haque F.Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vulvovaginal Candidosis during Pregnancy: A Review. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Jul 20;2022:6195712. doi: 10.1155/2022/6195712National Institutes of Health.Sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and breast feeding.Planned Parenthood.What is bacterial vaginosis?Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Does vaginitis affect a pregnant woman & her infant?March of Dimes.Group B strep infection.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.American Liver Foundation.Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Vulvar skin care guidelines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: Use of long-term, high-dose Diflucan (fluconazole) during pregnancy may be associated with birth defects in infants.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STIs and pregnancy.March of Dimes.Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.Chan MY, Smith MA.Infections in pregnancy.Comprehensive Toxicol.2018;232–249. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.64293-9
15 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.Aguin TJ, Sobel JD.Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy.Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015;17(6):30. doi:10.1007/s11908-015-0462-0Disha T, Haque F.Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vulvovaginal Candidosis during Pregnancy: A Review. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Jul 20;2022:6195712. doi: 10.1155/2022/6195712National Institutes of Health.Sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and breast feeding.Planned Parenthood.What is bacterial vaginosis?Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Does vaginitis affect a pregnant woman & her infant?March of Dimes.Group B strep infection.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.American Liver Foundation.Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Vulvar skin care guidelines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: Use of long-term, high-dose Diflucan (fluconazole) during pregnancy may be associated with birth defects in infants.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STIs and pregnancy.March of Dimes.Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.Chan MY, Smith MA.Infections in pregnancy.Comprehensive Toxicol.2018;232–249. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.64293-9
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.
Aguin TJ, Sobel JD.Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy.Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015;17(6):30. doi:10.1007/s11908-015-0462-0Disha T, Haque F.Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vulvovaginal Candidosis during Pregnancy: A Review. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Jul 20;2022:6195712. doi: 10.1155/2022/6195712National Institutes of Health.Sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and breast feeding.Planned Parenthood.What is bacterial vaginosis?Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Does vaginitis affect a pregnant woman & her infant?March of Dimes.Group B strep infection.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.American Liver Foundation.Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Vulvar skin care guidelines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: Use of long-term, high-dose Diflucan (fluconazole) during pregnancy may be associated with birth defects in infants.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STIs and pregnancy.March of Dimes.Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.Chan MY, Smith MA.Infections in pregnancy.Comprehensive Toxicol.2018;232–249. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.64293-9
Aguin TJ, Sobel JD.Vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy.Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2015;17(6):30. doi:10.1007/s11908-015-0462-0
Disha T, Haque F.Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vulvovaginal Candidosis during Pregnancy: A Review. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Jul 20;2022:6195712. doi: 10.1155/2022/6195712
National Institutes of Health.Sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and breast feeding.
Planned Parenthood.What is bacterial vaginosis?
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Does vaginitis affect a pregnant woman & her infant?
March of Dimes.Group B strep infection.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.
American Liver Foundation.Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Vulvar skin care guidelines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: Use of long-term, high-dose Diflucan (fluconazole) during pregnancy may be associated with birth defects in infants.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STIs and pregnancy.
March of Dimes.Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.
Chan MY, Smith MA.Infections in pregnancy.Comprehensive Toxicol.2018;232–249. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.64293-9
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