The dark, moist surroundings are the perfect breeding ground for a wide array of bacteria and other organisms that can cause a host of irritations, inflammations and infections. Inflammations can result from an infection, a chemical irritation from douche products, spermicides or condoms or simply not having enough estrogen. Obey the Zen Commandments. A doctor should also look at any open sores in the vaginal area, whether or not they're painful. And be sure to see the doctor if there is no improvement with home remedies after a few weeks.
Some women experience vaginal itching just prior to their menstrual flow.
Once their period ends, the itching seems to stop until the following month, observes Susan Doughty, R.N., a nurse practitioner at Women to Women, a clinic in Yarmouth, Maine. Your doctor may tell you that this condition, cytolytic vaginosis, is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the presence of estrogen. The first douching should be just before the time of the month when symptoms typically appear. After that, continue to douche twice daily as long as you have the symptoms. After a few months, reassess whether you need to continue, suggests Doughty.