Itchy vulva

[Rainallnight]

I’d really love some advice/experiences with this. I just don’t think it’s serious enough to go to the GP with.

My vulva has been incredibly itchy, in a sort of hot, inflamed way, for a good few weeks now.

No discharge, no smell, everything else is perfectly normal. Pretty sure I don’t have threadworms and my bum feels fine (sorrry, had to go there!).

What could it be and what can I do?

If I had to guess, I’d say general perimenopause annoyingness, maybe thinning skin?

I wear cotton knickers, don’t wear tight fitting clothes.

Any thoughts? And products I can use to help?

thanks

I would give vagasil a go but could be thrush so maybe a hydrocortisone cream?

Thanks so much for replying @twoandcooplease. It’s funny, I was googling about this last night and realised I’d seen Vagisil on every trip to a chemist ever but never knew what it was for! Now I know.

I’d thought not thrush because of the absence of other symptoms but maybe I’ll give it a go.

Ah! Another one. If you have no discharge just itching and swelling it could be an auto immune condition called Lichen Schlerosus. GPs often know little about it so you'll have to push for referral to a dermatologist (possibly) In the meantime to control the itch try using a product for piles which contains lidocaine (vagisil does but I've found that less effective) and using a flannel and cold water with salt or bicarb dissolved in it to wipe around. Should help control the itch. Try not to scratch as that will cause damage. PM me if you want more info

@Rainallnight I was like you did the caneston route, vagasil etc. Pharmacist said see GP. I actually saw a nurse who prescribed something. They took a swab but prescribed something. OH the relief.

If you are perimenopausal or menopausal it is probably vaginal atrophy and you need topical oestrogen such as vagifem pessaries. You can now buy exactly the same product OTC. It is called Gina.
It is important to get started with the oestrogen before you start getting leaky bladder and UTI. It is so common as to be normal in women of a certain age.

Do you use scented toilet paper, or scented sanitary towels?

Have a good look. Look it up online lichen sclerosis shows white patches,as does lichen planus. You can get steroid cream from pharmacy without script.. vulval or perianal eczema can also cause itching. I thought I was doing all the correct things, not washing with soap, shower gel
It's now white cotton pants,no PJ s or pants in bed. None bio washing liquid,no fabric conditioner. I did go to a local pharmacy lady, didn't show her, just mentioned symptoms. She asked if I was moisturising that area. It hadn't occurred to me.