Your vulva is the external part of your female genitals that you can see. Your vagina is inside your body.
Vulval irritation is common in women of all ages. The skin of the vulva is very delicate, making it vulnerable to irritation from a range of products and chemicals. If you are concerned about vulval irritation, see your doctor and ask them to check your vulva. It’s important to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Learn more about vulval irritation, the symptoms, causes and treatments.
What is vulval irritation?
Symptoms of vulval irritation
What causes vulval irritation?
Treatments for vulval irritation
Vulval and vaginal health
When to see your doctor
Related resources
Vulval irritation can be associated with other symptoms, including:
Vaginal discharge, which can be caused by imbalance or overgrowth of ‘bad bacteria’ in the vagina, may cause irritation. Sweat can also irritate the vulva.
Certain products can cause irritation. For example:
Tight or synthetic clothing, such as Lycra and stockings, can cause irritation, as can wet bathers – especially after swimming in chlorinated water.
Yeast infections of the vulva and vagina, such as thrush (candidiasis), can cause irritation. Symptoms include itching, redness, swelling and a cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection of the vagina that produces a thin white, grey or greenish discharge that can cause irritation.
Certain skin conditions can cause irritation. For example:
Some sexually transmitted infections can cause irritation. For example:
Bartholin glands are located on either side of the lower part of the vaginal opening. They produce lubricating fluid during sex. If a gland is blocked, it can cause a cyst, leading to discomfort or pain.
Varicose veins (enlarged, twisted veins) can develop in the vulva, particularly during pregnancy, which may cause discomfort.
Hormonal changes, especially reduced levels of oestrogen, can make the vulval and vagina tissues thinner, drier and more uncomfortable. This can happen after having a baby, while breastfeeding or around the time of menopause.
Some medicines and local anaesthetic can cause vulval and vaginal irritation.
Symptoms of vulval cancer may include a persistent itch, rough skin, a non-healing sore or a lump. Vulval cancer is rare, but it’s important to know your vulva and contact your doctor if you notice any changes.
The treatment of vulval irritation depends on the cause. Your doctor may recommend different options including:
It’s important to follow treatment instructions and see your doctor again if symptoms don’t improve.
If you have vaginal irritation, you can try the following self-care treatments.
Soothe the irritation by sitting in a wash basin or bath once or twice a day for 5 to 10 minutes.
If you are using a basin or tub, add 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda or one-quarter teaspoon of salt per litre of water.
If you are having a bath, add one cup of bicarbonate of soda or a handful of salt to the water.
Make up a saltwater spray bottle. Add one teaspoon of salt to 600 ml of water. Spray this mix onto your vulva while sitting on the toilet. You can do this while weeing, to reduce the stinging, and again after you’ve finished to remove any traces of wee from your vulva.
Cold packs (wrapped in a cloth) may ease itching and pain.
Reduce any burning feeling by leaning forward while weeing, so the wee goes directly into the toilet and doesn’t run down your vulva.
The vagina has an ecosystem or microbiome that includes many types of tiny living organisms, mainly bacteria. This ecosystem plays an important role in preventing vaginal infections.
When there is an imbalance or overgrowth of ‘bad bacteria’ in the vagina, it can cause symptoms such as vaginal discharge, redness and itchiness. It can also cause common fungal infections, such vaginal thrush, or bacterial infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Vulval irritation is not always due to an imbalance of vaginal bacteria. Studies suggest that your vaginal bacteria may be connected to the bacteria in your digestive system. So, what you eat may affect the health and populations of bacteria in your gut and vagina. But more research is needed in this area.
Live cultured yoghurt and other fermented food, such as kimchi, sauerkraut and kefir, contain good bacteria (Lactobacillus). When you eat these foods regularly, they help maintain good bacteria in your digestive system.
A wholefood diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fibres is associated with good bacteria in the gut.
Some foods may help bad bacteria to grow and flourish. For example, white bread, white pasta, chocolate, cakes, lollies, soft drinks and alcohol.
Probiotic supplements contain good bacteria in much higher quantities than what you would get from fermented foods alone. They can be taken orally as a capsule or as a powder.
Some evidence suggests that probiotic supplements can be useful in preventing and treating vaginal infections, especially bacterial vaginosis, but more research is needed to support this.
There are many kinds of probiotic supplements available. Ask a qualified health professional to recommend the best probiotic for you.
Sometimes vulval irritation involves a cycle of itching, scratching, skin splitting and then a secondary infection.
You may find it hard to talk about the problem, but if you experience vulval irritation and your symptoms are not getting better, it’s important to see your doctor. They will take your medical history and ask about your symptoms. If they don’t check your vulva, ask for an examination. You might also need to have a urine test, vulval or vaginal swab, blood test or vulval biopsy. This process will ensure you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
The sooner you seek help, the sooner your symptoms will improve.
This content has been reviewed by a group of medical subject matter experts, in accordance with Jean Hailes policy.
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