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- Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:18 am
I have had a slight burning / itching around my vagina after my period. This has only happened twice: once in July and another just recently. Previously I didn't do much except wash more and wore cotton underwear. There is an increase in discharge but it does not have a foul smell. The degree of itching varies and both times it has heppened during the end of and after my period. What could this be and how to I relieve the itching?
| Dr. Tamer Fouad
- Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:31 am
Vulvovaginal itching generally is not a normal finding in healthy women. Itching is usually most noticeable with a yeast infection, though it may occur with any type of infection or irritation. An irritated vaginal lining, which may be particularly itchy or painful during intercourse, is usually a more prominent symptom of atrophic vaginitis (such as occurs in postmenopausal women). Pain and itching when urinating may occur in trichomoniasis. Other dermatologic conditions (eg, lichen sclerosis and, rarely, vulvar cancer) should also be considered, especially in the absence of candidal infection.
Usually a gynecologist will be able to tell by clinical examination and colposcopy what the problem is. If there is evidence of vaginal irritation this may be a manifestation of contact or allergic vaginitis. If on examination there is an a focal area of abnormal tisse a biopsy may be required.
1. Haefner HK. Current evaluation and management of vulvovaginitis. Clin Obstet Gynecol 1999;42:184-95.
2. Reilly BM. Practical strategies in outpatient medicine. 2d ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1991:1016-46.