Itchy vulva after birth

[ChocoLover7]

I gave birth just over a month ago and over the last few days I've suddenly become unbearably itchy down there. I had an episiotomy and second degree tear, I dont know if that has anything to do with it. I had a swab done a few days after giving birth and I didnt have an infection. The area is so sore and red from constant itching. I could literally scratch it all day! Any ideas what it could be?

Thrush?

Don't scratch! I presume you were stitched. You are healing and itching is a sign of that, it will pass. Wash gently with water not too hot, no scented stuff. Nice, relaxing baths help. Some people find salt in the water helpful.

You'll be fine in no time. There may be some benign anti itch ointment you can buy in the pharmacy to apply to the perineal area.

I had that, it was awful, so painful. It happened a couple of times a month for maybe 4/5 months after dc was born. Everything felt swollen and dry.

I crashed into early peri menopause after dc was born and looking back I think that hormonal changes were to blame.

At the time, I remember vagisil helped. Baths were a double edged sword - they helped in the moment but then made everything drier after.

I asked nurse about it when I was at dr for something else. I got thrush treatment, which it obvs wasnt. Looking back I wish I'd seen dr because it was so painful and also because it might have helped signpost people towards menopause and treatment.

Good luck.