Feminine itching

An itch 'down there' can be a bit embarrassing, but swallow your pride and tell your doctor, and you'll be as good as new in no time.

Three-quarters of all women will experience some form of discomfort 'down there' during their lifetime, a statistic that doesn't ease the sense of disquiet or even distress when it's happening to you.

The good news is that feminine itching in all its impatient, burning glory is eminently treatable. But the condition comes in many forms and, to know how best to cure it, you need to know exactly what's ailing you.

Burn, baby, burn
To anyone who's ever suffered from it, vaginitis (literally an inflammation of the vagina) is instantly recognisable. Most familiar is a burning or itching feeling, sometimes – but not always – accompanied by an unfamiliar discharge and/or smell. It could also be that you experience discomfort when peeing or during sex.

Most vaginitis is the result of a yeast infection. These occur when the natural balance of the bacteria in the vagina becomes disturbed, leading to that all-too-familiar urge to scratch. Thrush is the most common of these. Caused by a fungus, its ubiquity leads most of us to think that it can be easily treated with over-the-counter remedies. In many instances this is true, but first-time sufferers or those whose symptoms occur again and again should consult their doctor for a proper diagnosis. There are other infections with similar symptoms that require different treatments (often a simple course of antibiotics) to knock them on the head once and for all.

Getting it sorted
If it is thrush you're suffering from, there are a number of things that might have triggered your attack. Diabetics, for example, are prone to the infection, particularly if their blood sugar levels aren't kept under tight control. One school of thought is that some oral contraceptives might leave you more vulnerable to fungal infections, while antibiotics are universally recognised as a common precursor to a bout of thrush.

This is because antibiotics are notorious for upsetting the balance of bacteria in the bowel, which can then be transmitted to the vagina (note to self – on the toilet, always wipe from front to back to avoid bowel bacteria being transferred to the vagina or bladder). A bacterial rebalancing supplement, such as acidophilus, is a good way to round off a course of antibiotics, or try one of those probiotic drinks such as Yakult. With their abundance of 'friendly' bacteria, they help to restore and maintain you internally.

While many causes of vaginitis are not sexually transmittable, thrush isn't one of them. If you're infected, avoid sexual contact. Best of all, have your partner treated at the same time as you to avoid cross-infection.

The cost of living
There are other, simple changes you can make to help avoid yeast infections. Perfumes, soaps, vaginal deodorant sprays and douching can all cause irritations that lead to vaginitis (or may even cause a skin complaint such as eczema, which can feel alarmingly similar). Monthly hormone fluctuations can contribute to vaginal dryness which, in turn, may cause itching. Even sexual activity can play its part. To put it delicately, too much friction can lead to internal soreness and irritation. Use an appropriate lubricant or, better still, avoid sexual contact until you feel better.

Too-tight clothing is another mitigating factor in feminine itching. Perspiration can lead to irritation, while damp clothing and undergarments provide an ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to grow. Change out of exercise gear, for example, as soon as you finish a workout and wear undergarments with a cotton gusset that allows your lady parts to breathe.

Finally, remember that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often include feminine itching in their list of symptoms. Herpes, with its angry swelling and blistering, is a common case in point and even chlamydia – though most often symptom-free – can result in itching if it's tied up with pelvic inflammatory disease.

The point is, if you're at all unsure, see your doctor. A simple swab is usually all it takes to diagnose the cause of your infection, which, in turn, allows the most appropriate treatment to be prescribed. In most cases, the worst thing about feminine itching is the embarrassment factor. Get over this, and diagnosis is likely to be swift and – unlike vaginitis itself – pain-free. The only thing you'll be left wondering about is what took you so long to get it sorted in the first place.

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