Itchy Period

Itchy Period

Why Marvel's Karen Gillan Embraces Her Anxiety
Your New Must-Try: Sautéed Dandelion Toast
The Only Marathon Training Plan You'll Ever Need
Your June Horoscope: Communication Clarity

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
A Complete Guide To Vaginal Discharge Colors
12 Reasons Your Vagina Hurts So Damn Much
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
6 Best Period Subscription Boxes For Every Need
Why Do I Have Cramps But No Period?
14 Reasons Your Vagina Is So Damn Itchy
18 Reasons You’ve Got Bumps On Your Vagina
The Ultimate Guide To Cleaning Your Vagina
5 Reasons You Gain Weight During Your Period

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in.

Why trust us?

We asked the experts what to do about it.
Do you have an itch that you just can’t scratch? (In public, that is.) We’re talking, of course, about the delightful phenomenon that is vaginal itchiness , which can be especially worse around menstruation. And just because you don’t see women adjusting their junk every five minutes like some dudes doesn’t mean that they aren’t itching up a storm.
So why are you itching like crazy when you’re on your period? According to Suzanne Fenske, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, there are a few specific factors that could cause this. (Get the latest health, weight loss, fitness, and sex intel delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our "Daily Dose" newsletter.)
"One thing is that older blood that's lingering can cause irritation," she says. "So it depends on where you are in your cycle."
Otherwise, it has to do with inflammation, she says.
"With your period, you tend to get higher levels of inflammation throughout the entire body, so those levels can cause you to have a little more itching," Fenske says. "It's a histamine response."
Of course, you could be experiencing a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis —which is an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria, respectively—but Fenske says most women don't notice these problems as much on their periods. If you think your itchiness could be caused by a yeast infection or BV, check in with your doc though.
Watch a hot doctor explain whether you have to treat yeast infections or not:
"Your doctor can take cultures via a quick swab of the vagina even when you're on your period," Fenske says. If the cultures are positive, she can prescribe you medication to get rid of the problem. If it's negative, though, and you're looking for symptomatic relief, Fenske warns to absolutely not douche , which could only make things worse. Instead, look for an over-the-counter steroid cream, like a 1 percent hyrdrocortisone cream, which is very low dose and safe to use for about three days until your symptoms clear up.
All areas of the vagina are subject to itchiness during your period, too. So if you notice your vulva feeling irritated, Fenske says you want to make sure you're not having an allergic reaction to a pad. If you think that might be the case, try unscented pads to minimize a contact allergy. If it still doesn't go away, check in with your doctor to find the culprit.

If You’re Feeling Itchy While on Your Period, Your Tampons Could Be to Blame

December 10, 2021

by Victoria Moorhouse

Image Source: Iordache Laurentiu / EyeEm

So Apparently There's a Tampon Shortage Now

by Maggie Ryan

6/10

Is It OK to Get 2 Periods in 1 Month? We Asked Ob-Gyns

by Hedy Phillips

6/10

Now May Be the Time to Delete Your Period-Tracker Apps, Some Experts Say

by Taylor Andrews

1 week ago

How to Remove a Dry Tampon Without Pain, According to an Ob-Gyn

by Emily Weaver

4/20

5 Drinks That May Help Ease Period Cramps

by Lauren Manaker

3/21

A Breakdown of Every Phase of the Menstrual Cycle, as Explained by Medical Experts

by Victoria Moorhouse

3/21

We’re Hiring!
Write For Us
Advertise With Us
About Us
Terms
Privacy Policy
Contact
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Cookie Policy

More POPSUGAR:
Power Your Happy
POPSUGAR Insights

POPSUGAR International:
UK
Australia
Middle East
الشرق الأوسط

Visit the App Store to see all our apps:

©2022

Group Nine Media Inc.

We're Hiring!
Write For Us
Advertise With Us
About Us
Contact

Archives

Menstruation can bring along a whole slew of symptoms, and everyone is different in terms of what they encounter every month. But if your period has ever arrived with a side of vaginal itchiness , you may have wondered what may be behind this occurrence.
Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG, a practicing gynecologist and the chief medical officer at Bonafide , said this experience of feeling itchy while menstruating is one she's heard before — and it's frequently related to menstrual hygiene products.
As Dr. Dweck explained, some people may experience itching from using tampons that are too high in absorbency for their flow, while others may have sensitivities to conventional menstrual care products, like tampons and pads, made with non-organic materials and fragrance.
According to Jacqueline Giannelli, FNP-BC, NCMP, and founding nurse practitioner at Elektra Health , many menstrual care products are made with ingredients like synthetic fragrance and colors, parabens, phthalates, parabens, and surfactants. "These additives can cause an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis), leading to the sensation of itch on the skin of the vulva and vagina," she said.
However, more and more menstrual care brands are leaving these potentially irritating additives out of their product formulations. Dr. Dweck said that those that are sensitive to conventional menstrual care products may want to consider giving 100 percent organic menstrual-care products a trial. "Others may benefit from switching to a medical-grade silicone menstrual cup or menstrual underwear," she added.
If you're using tampons, choosing the least absorbent tampon for the period flow may help alleviate this issue too. Many experts also generally recommend staying away from scented period-care products , like tampons, to avoid itching and other issues.
According to Giannelli, another potential cause of vaginal itch during one's period may be due to changes in the pH of the vagina. As Giannelli explained, the hormones estrogen and progesterone are in decline in the days leading up to menstruation. When estrogen levels are low, Giannelli said the vaginal environment is less acidic and there may be an increase in pH. This increase in pH can cause a disruption in the vaginal microbiome, or the ecosystem of bacteria that help protect against infections.
"Certainly any infection can cause vaginal itching, but even subtle changes to the microbiome can create a state of inflammation that can present as itching. We see this often in perimenopause when hormone levels are already lower at baseline, but especially so around the time of one's period," she noted.
Dr. Dweck also mentioned that douching, which should be avoided, can also negatively impact the pH of the vagina and cause itching.
It's important to remember that there are many potential culprits behind vaginal itch, so if you've been experiencing itchiness or have any concerns, check in with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and to rule out any health issues and infections.
"Some examples of conditions that can cause vaginal itching include vaginal infections, contact dermatitis, vulvar skin conditions such as lichen simplex chronicus and lichen sclerosus, vaginal dryness, and pudendal neuralgia (a nerve issue). Any itching or uncomfortable feeling that lasts for more than a day or two and does not improve should be evaluated by a provider familiar with these conditions," Giannelli said.

by Kelsie Gibson

1 day ago

by Kelsey Garcia

2 days ago

by Yerin Kim

2 days ago

by Njera Perkins

2 days ago

by Melanie Whyte

2 days ago

by Monica Sisavat

2 days ago

by Njera Perkins

3 days ago

by Hedy Phillips

3 days ago

Select the topics that interest you:

By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from POPSUGAR.

Get daily fitness inspiration right in your inbox.

Sign up for our Fitness newsletter.

By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from POPSUGAR.

Please select the topics you're interested in:

Would you like to turn on POPSUGAR desktop notifications to get breaking news ASAP?

Great, Click the ‘Allow’ Button Above
☝️

Awesome, You’re All Set!
🎉

What Causes Vaginal Itching Around a Period?

Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved

Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more .

Medically reviewed by
Monique Rainford, MD

Learn about our
Medical Expert Board

Can you be allergic to your period blood?

What are the side effects of tampons?

Learn More:

Reduce Your Risk of TSS

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

The Symptoms and Treatments of Pediatric Vulvoaginitis

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Itching

6 Ways to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis From Happening Again

Vaginal Discharge: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Can a Yeast Infection Cause Bleeding?

Yeast Infection, STD, or Something Else?

Bacterial Vaginosis or Yeast Infection?

What Every Woman Should Know About Vaginitis

What Causes White Vaginal Discharge?

The Difference Between Normal and Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal Atrophy and Vaginal Itching

Causes of Vaginal Itching Without Discharge

What Causes a Yeast Infection Before Your Period

Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved

Verywell Health is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

Kathi Valeii is a freelance writer covering the intersections of health, parenting, and social justice.
Monique Rainford, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, and currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Medicine. She is the former chief of obstetrics-gynecology at Yale Health.

Many things can cause vaginal itching ( vaginal pruritus ) during and after your period. At any time during your menstrual cycle , infections, skin conditions, sensitivities, certain medications, or diseases may cause vaginal itching.

However, if you experience itching during your period, the culprits may be hormonal changes or allergies to tampons or other menstrual products. Treatment for vaginal itching depends on the cause.

This article covers reasons for vaginal itching during and after your period, how to manage the itching, and when you should see a healthcare provider.

If vaginal itching starts during your period, it could be due to hormonal fluctuations or sensitivities to the menstrual products you are using.

The menstrual cycle has three hormonal phases: follicular, ovulatory, and luteal . Your period is the beginning of the follicular phase.

During this phase, the endometrium (uterine lining) is thick. However, the low levels of estrogen and progesterone during this phase cause the uterine lining to break down and shed. This shedding results in vaginal bleeding.

While bleeding only lasts between three to seven days, the follicular phase lasts up to a couple of weeks. It ends when the level of luteinizing hormone surges. 1 Hormonal fluctuations , especially low estrogen, can sometimes result in itching.

In addition, you may be sensitive or allergic to specific products, especially those that come in contact with your vulva or vagina during your period. Sensitivities may lead to itching.

Some common products that could lead to vulvar or vaginal itching include:

Scented items tend to cause more irritation on sensitive skin . So, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to stick to unscented menstrual products , soaps, and detergents made for people with skin sensitivities.

Vaginal itching can occur at any time during your menstrual cycle. Causes range from infection, skin conditions, medications, and cancer.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition where the normal balance of bacteria is disrupted. When you have BV, you have an unhealthy balance of bacteria in the vagina. 2

BV is the most common vaginal condition in people ages 15 to 44. 2

The exact cause of BV is unknown. However, it occurs most often in sexually active people.

In addition to vaginal itching, BV causes other symptoms, including: 2

You can not treat BV at home. It requires a medical diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause vaginal itching. A parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis causes the condition. 3

Trichomoniasis infected more than 2 million Americans in 2018. In the U.S., it is the most common of all curable STIs. 3

Up to 70% of people with trichomoniasis do not exhibit symptoms. But, those who do have symptoms may experience the following: 3

Treating trichomoniasis requires prescription medication. If you suspect you may be infected, it’s essential to see a healthcare provider. In addition, after treatment, it’s possible to become reinfected. All sexual partners should receive treatment simultaneously to limit the likelihood of reinfection. 3

Vaginal yeast infection, also called vaginal thrush , is a fungal infection in the vagina. Vaginal yeast infections are caused by a fungus called Candida . This fungus usually lives in your vagina in healthy amounts. However, a yeast infection occurs when this fungus overgrows.

Yeast infections are common. People most at-risk for developing them include those who are pregnant, take birth control pills , have diabetes , are immunocompromised , or are taking antibiotics. 4

Yeast infections are treated with anti-fungal medicine.

Vulvovaginitis is inflammation or infection of the vulva and vagina. It can result in itching, pain, and discharge with odor. Yeast, bacteria, and STIs can cause it, but for some people, vulvovaginitis occurs more frequently during their period.

Dermatitis is a skin condition that causes itching and irritation. Allergies, sensitivities, or an inflammatory disease like eczema cause dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis occurs when your skin reacts to a substance to which you are sensitive or allergic. Symptoms include itching, burning, and skin rash or blisters. The itching from dermatitis can be intense and disrupt a person’s ability to sleep or perform day-to-day tasks. 5

The best way to treat dermatitis is to prevent it. Therefore, try to identify the trigger and avoid it. In the meantime, topical steroids can help relieve itch and inflammation. Allergy testing may be a good idea to help narr
Princess Buttplug
Literotica Insemination
Dry Humping Positions

Itchy Period

Report Page