2024-04-04

Genital irritation - Causes, symptoms and treatment for irritation in the intimate area

So the first thing that comes to mind when you notice irritation in the intimate area is an infection or a sexually transmitted disease? Although it is not excluded, often the situation is not so serious. Itching, stinging, and even swelling in the intimate area is more common than you might expect.

Yes, genital irritations can be a symptom of sexually transmitted infections or even vulvar cancer, but they can also be simple inflammations caused by allergens in the products you use. The important thing is that, whatever the cause, you discover it as soon as possible. Irritations will improve when you address the cause, either by treatment or by eliminating the irritants.

How common are genital irritations (in the intimate area)

Statistics do not show exact numbers of people with specific symptoms. But the truth is that most likely everyone has faced some type of irritation in the intimate area at least once in their life, whether we are talking about itching, stinging or some other form of irritation.

There are dozens of factors that can irritate you, from hormonal changes you can't control to the hygiene products you use, clothes and menstrual care products. So anyone can have groin irritation at some point, regardless of age, gender or sexual experience. It does not necessarily mean that there is an infection.

It is generally not a serious problem and does not require treatment if it does not persist, does not come back, is not severe (to the point of affecting your life) and is not accompanied by severe, visible irritation with unusual vaginal discharge. But it is important to find out the irritants so that you can remove them.

Causes of genital irritation

infections (various: with parasites, fungi, candida)
Balan
herpes
pox
genital warts
psoriasis
contact dermatitis or allergies

Vaginal itching, redness, bumps and irritation in the intimate area can have many and varied causes.

They can be hormonal in nature, for example at menopause. When estrogen production decreases and vaginal dryness occurs, the predisposition to intimate flora imbalances and irritations increases. The same symptoms can be caused by stress, vulvar cancer or wounds in the intimate area, and it is important to pay attention to the signs and seek the help of a specialist if they persist.

Why genital irritations occur ➤ Symptoms for irritations in the intimate area ➤ How to treat irritations in the intimate area at home ➤ Find out here!

But in addition to the above reasons, the most common causes of genital irritation are:

Infections : they can be bacterial infections (eg: bacterial vaginosis, which occurs when there is an imbalance between the beneficial and less beneficial bacteria in the vagina), fungal infections (eg: with candida, which is an inflammation accompanied by unusual discharge and requires treatment with antibiotics) or with various parasites (eg: pubic lice which makes the itching more intense at night, scabies or other sexually transmitted diseases).

Balanitis : irritation in the groin area in men can be caused by balanitis, an inflammation affecting the skin covering the penis, which can occur due to low immunity, a fungal or bacterial infection, excess antibiotics or poor hygiene.

Herpes : A known, sometimes painful, sexually transmitted infection, genital herpes can cause open sores and blisters with fluid.

Syphilis : Another sexually transmitted infection, syphilis can cause inflammation of the skin all over the body, but especially in the genitals, and is often accompanied by swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and fever.

HPV virus : infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause genital warts (bumps) of different sizes and colors, which in women appear mainly in the area of the vulva and anus. And the HPV virus can be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact.

Psoriasis : Eczema and psoriasis are skin conditions that can affect the vulva as well, causing genital redness and itching.

Allergies or contact dermatitis : one of the most common causes of irritation in the intimate area is an allergy to various substances toxic to the skin. It can be allergenic fragrances in shower gels, synthetic fibers and bleaches in clothes and conventional menstrual products, or other harsh chemicals that suffocate the skin of the intimate area. Usually, these allergies disappear shortly after you discover and stop using the irritating products.

What symptoms accompany irritations in the intimate area

Genital irritations can be very uncomfortable and not just a slight redness or itchiness. Sometimes the symptoms can become very unpleasant. Among the signs that can accompany these irritations can be:

Redness and swelling of the genitals
Itchy and inflamed skin
Fluid blisters
Lumps or pimples on the vulva
Wounds and injuries
Stinging sensation
Pelvic pains
Unusually colored or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Pain or tenderness during intercourse
Discolored portions of the skin
Stinging or pain when urinating
Swelling of the lymph nodes
Sore throat
Fatigue
Fever

Why do genital irritations occur ➤ Symptoms for irritations in the intimate area

Treatment of genital irritations (in the intimate area)

A minor irritation caused by stressors or irritants in clothing and grooming products usually goes away on its own shortly after you stop putting your skin in contact with the source of the irritation.

If, on the other hand, the symptoms persist, worsen, are accompanied by discharge, pain or intense discomfort and affect your life, then it is time for a consultation with a specialist. Most likely the cause is another condition, and self-medication is not a solution in this situation.

Treatment for inflammation of the intimate area is prescribed depending on the cause and symptoms. To begin with, the doctor may order tests such as:

Examination of the affected area: the doctor may examine the skin color (red, whitish, brown), if it has an unusual texture (thinned or thickened) or abnormal appearance (dry or flaky).

Medical history assessment: the doctor may ask you if you have had unprotected sexual contact with a partner infected with a sexually transmitted disease; he may also ask you if you suffer from various dermatological conditions and how intense the symptoms are (pain, itching, etc.).

Analyzes of vaginal secretions

Blood tests

Allergological tests

Depending on the results of the analyzes and the diagnosis obtained, the doctor can recommend a suitable treatment.

Drug and local treatment

Treatment is primarily aimed at treating the condition that is causing the irritations, so it differs depending on the cause. The doctor can recommend both a medicinal and a local treatment to relieve the discomfort:

Antibiotics (gel or tablets): in the case of bacterial vaginosis or candidiasis, certain sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis) or even in the case of a urinary infection
Cortisone cream: to treat the affected area in case of eczema
Corticosteroid ointments: to relieve symptoms caused by psoriasis or lichen sclerosus or lichen planus
Antifungals (in the form of pills or suppositories): to treat fungal infections and prevent their spread to other organs (eg lungs)
Antihistamines: to treat itching caused by lichen planus
Antivirals: to relieve the symptoms of genital herpes and decrease the chance of recurrence
Antiparasitic solutions: to get rid of parasites such as pubic lice

Estrogen creams: if itching and burning are caused by vaginal dryness, in turn a response to the decrease in estrogen production in the body at menopause.

Home remedies for infections located in the intimate area

Often, the discomfort becomes very intense even if you are under medical/local treatment prescribed by your doctor. What you can do at home during this time is to take care of hygiene and intimate care products, choosing ingredients that are as pure as possible.

Use Enroush intimate gel for daily cleaning of the vulva with 95% natural ingredients and 87% effectiveness against Candida albicans, as it does not contain parabens or fragrance with allergens. And for the times when you need a quick cleaning (for example after using the toilet during menstruation or on the move), use the biodegradable intimate wipes . They are hypoallergenic, enriched with lactic acid, prebiotics and chamomile to gently clean your vulva and protect your intimate flora without any compromise for your genital health.

There are indeed other home remedies that can relieve the discomfort. Some of the most common ones are ice wrapped in a towel and placed on the inflamed area of the vulva, and over-the-counter anti-itch creams.

But keep in mind that self-medication (ie treating yourself at home without a doctor's guidance) is never the best solution. It may be completely ineffective in the case of a more serious infection. And when you treat one problem and the cause is another, an inappropriate treatment can even worsen the symptoms. So before you try any natural remedy, talk to your doctor and ask for his advice.

Enroush intimate gel

How to prevent genital irritation

The best way to prevent genital irritation is to avoid contact of products that can irritate you with the skin of your intimate area, and to avoid conditions that cause inflammation in the intimate area. Here's how you can do this:

Wear cotton underwear : avoid tight and synthetic underwear, opt for cotton underwear that you change daily to avoid bacteria build-up.

Avoid tight clothes : wear loose clothes that allow the skin to breathe, avoid tight clothes that can cause sweating and bacteria build-up.

Avoid vaginal douches : it is recommended to wash your intimate area daily, once a day, but only externally. Your vulva needs cleaning with water (and you can use a natural intimate gel), but your vagina cleans itself.

Choose hypoallergenic hygiene products : avoid toilet paper, shower gels, bath foams, powders and intimate deodorants that contain perfumes, dyes and parabens. Choose a shower gel or intimate wipes with natural ingredients that protect your intimate pH.

Be careful with menstrual products too : conventional pads and tampons may contain plastic, synthetic fibers, dioxin and fragrances that can cause or worsen genital irritation. Choose absorbents and organic tampons. The only ingredients in Enroush pads are 100% organic cotton and natural fibers to give you pH neutral menstrual care with zero side effects.

Wipe from front to back : When using the toilet, avoid wiping in reverse to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus to the vagina.

Use a water-based lubricant : To avoid discomfort or injury during intercourse, use a water-based lubricant especially if you experience menopausal vaginal dryness.

Avoid unprotected sex : Always use a condom or other barrier method to prevent contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

Follow a balanced diet : eat nutritious and varied foods to maintain an optimal balance between good and "bad" bacteria in the vagina.

Frequently asked questions about irritation in the intimate area

No one wants to face irritations in the intimate area. So it's understandable why you want to know as much as possible about how to treat them and how to prevent them. Below we will answer the most frequently asked questions about these things.

What aggravates irritations in the intimate area?

Among the factors that have the greatest potential to aggravate irritation in the intimate area are sweat, tight clothing and synthetic fibers that do not allow the skin to breathe. Symptoms can also worsen when in contact with dyes, bleaches, detergents or fragrances with allergens in hygiene products: soaps, shower gels, conventional absorbents, intimate deodorants, etc.

When should I go to the doctor if I have irritation in the intimate area?

See your doctor as soon as possible if the irritation persists, worsens, is recurrent (i.e. comes and goes), or is accompanied by unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding, pain, fatigue, or fever.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

If you experience vaginal irritations, ask your doctor everything that worries you and everything you need to know about how to treat and how you can prevent such inflammations in the future. Ask what is causing your irritations, what is the most effective form of treatment and what you can do at home to relieve your symptoms. You can also ask which products you should avoid in the future and which are safe for your skin.

What tests are done to diagnose genital irritation?

The doctor will first examine the appearance of the affected area, paying attention to color, texture and symptoms. It will also consider your medical history, including whether you've had unprotected sex. For a correct diagnosis, tests of vaginal secretions, blood tests and skin tests can also be done.

Can genital irritation go away on its own without treatment?

If the irritations are mild and occur after epilation or in response to contact with allergens in shower gel, bath foam or conventional menstrual products, yes. Symptoms may go away on their own, without treatment, after stopping the use of the respective products. But if the irritations are severe and persistent, they may be due to a more serious condition, requiring a visit to the doctor and treatment.