Itching, Burning and More

The specific symptoms you experience in the vaginal area depend on what’s causing the problem as well as your own skin. So you might feel:

• Mild to severe itching
• Rawness or soreness
• Stinging
• Pain during intercourse
• Vaginal discharge
• Unpleasant odor or cloudy urine
• Pain or discomfort during urination
• Blood in your urine
• Pain in the lower pelvic area
• Frequent or urgent urination

Causes of Vaginal Itching and Burning

Vaginal skin is tender. It can become irritated through repeated rubbing – say, from too-tight clothing – or due to contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction to some product that touches the skin. Common culprits include:

• Feminine hygiene products, including douches
• Scented soaps
• Fabrics
• Scented toilet paper
• Bubble bath
• Lubricants
• Spermicides
• Latex

Infections also often cause itching, burning and similar symptoms.

• Yeast infections (officially known as candidiasis, but sometimes called thrush) are caused by a fungus and can affect women of all ages.
• Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes can all cause serious vaginal symptoms.
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) most often occurs in women age 15-44. Urinary tract infections (UITs) are caused by bacteria and can affect the bladder, urethra and even the kidneys. UTI’s can also affect any woman, but they can be especially problematic for menopausal and post-menopausal women.
• Menopause itself is a major cause of itching and burning, due to changes in the vaginal area brought on by loss of estrogen during and after menopause. These changes can trigger several unpleasant symptoms and are now collectively called genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM. Along with itching and burning, you may experience vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, painful or frequent urination, and a higher risk of chronic UTIs.

Treatments for Vaginal Itching and Burning

Relief is available, no matter the cause of your vaginal distress. Sometimes, the problem will simply go away but more often you will need to take action. At home, you can apply petroleum jelly to the skin to soothe and protect it, and you can use an ice pack on the affected area. Wear cotton underwear, and avoid common irritants. A course of antibiotics or antifungal medications can successfully treat bacterial and yeast infections. There are medications that can help reduce effects (but not cure) herpes.

There is no “cure” for menopause, and the problems caused by estrogen loss will not simply go away. You can treat each symptom separately, with lubricants for dryness or painful sex, antibiotics for UTIs, etc., but the problems will recur.

MonaLisa® Touch Treatment Provides Long-Lasting Relief

MonaLisa® Touch offers an entirely different approach to treating vaginal symptoms such as itching and burning, that works by revitalizing vaginal skin tissue. It is a laser treatment that is non-invasive, painless, fast, and – best of all — highly effective. In just three 5-minute treatment sessions, MonaLisa® Touch stimulates ongoing production of new, healthier skin tissue. It also restores natural lubrication and proper pH to the vaginal canal.

MonaLisa® Touch works to rejuvenate the vaginal area both internally and externally. That means you can finally find relief from all of the common post-menopausal vaginal symptoms. No wonder our patients call this treatment “amazing!”