Vaginal itching around time of period?

[MistyK]

For the past 4 months, I've developed a terrible itch/redness in the vaginal area about 5 days prior to my period; it goes away 2 or 3 days after I 'start.'  

I've never had a yeast infection before, but the first month it happened I assumed that's what it was.  I treated it OTC to save a trip to the doctor.  Since then, I've just lived with it until it passed.

I have an annual exam coming up within the next month, and this problem is top of my list for discussion.  However, if anyone has any advice or personal experience with something similar, I'd really appreciate hearing about it.

P.S.  I'm married and both of us are completely monogamous - it cannot be an STD of any sort.  Haven't changed laundry detergent, body soap, lotion, perfume, or anything else I can think of in quite some time.

[Gagou]

OH MY GOODNESS! Thank God! I'm 22, I've never had any sort of sexual encounter, I was worried that I might have genital worts or herpes, but that didn't make sense because it came and it went & I double checked to make sure that I couldn't catch herpes from a toilet seat. I don't have insurance, so I've been avoiding having to get it checked and I just started taking rePHresh tablets. Since it seems like most of you are saying that this is a pH issue, I really hope this works.

[nini0]

I also forgot to mention probiotic yogurt and at least once a day probiotic accifophillus pills. And reduce sugar, and alcohol intake ie. all yeast infection causing foods.

[nini0]

I am near 40 and have had three kids natural and one c-section births. Youngest 3 1/2 and still weening the breast but has a bit at night. Cycles came back after 13 months from birth. A month after cycles returned I started these similar itching problems before and sometimes after period. I've treated internal candida but problem eventually returns again. As well as with candida/yeast infection creams in combo. Treat husband as well. Totally do the whole routine to control yeast infections from laundry to food and probiotics. I have read heaps and exhausted the doctors. After reading one of the girls experiences on here I tried something similar and wanted to share it because it has given me relief. FIrstly, I am not on the pill only a copper IUD that does not have hormones. My problem started before that was inserted. I have had trouble with yeast through my life and am aware it is imbalanced when I eat wheat and drink milk. Once I totally got rid of any of it when I removed them from my diet. Although, then it wasn't a problem around my period/cycle. So now after each application of one full course of candida cream, just to be sure, I put a layer of this all natural bees wax balm called Tui balm. It's recommended for baby's bums, skin irritations, moisture, etc. I stopped using tampons during light flow of period and made sure I put the balm on when ever I am going to use any pad. Aloe panty liners if needed. Olive oil or this balm applied externally if going to have sex. Refrained from sex until the irritation or inflammation had gotten under control. I do think that throughout the month the consistency of my vaginal discharge would vary depending on ovulation and hormones. Some of the time it could be a hostile environment for sperm to live so possibly more acidic and therefore maybe irritating to my skin. Other times with too much breast feeding or other dehydrating factors and pads or any friction would cause a problem. But with this routine I have found comfort and no longer have major itching or irritation. My discharge never was stinky or discoloured so I believe it may not have been an infection all along but just an imbalance and dryness. Some people are more sensitive than others. Also the left side was more a problem always and I found it was possibly because I lay on my left side the most and that is where the fluid would get onto. So I keep myself dry of my discharge but with the barrier balm moistened and protected. And it's not needed all month long. So hopefully this helps. I do think it may be leading into menopause or maybe my estrogen levels are being affected by age or breastfeeding.  

[teetaylor28]

Omg! I'm not alone! I experience this horrible itching 3 to four days before my period. The itching is so intense that I have to sit with an ice pack on my vagina to help with the swelling.  I hate it. I've been to doctors several times to try and figure out what the hell this is.I believe its definitely hormonal and has to be related to being on the pill. My question is the women on here that experience this are they on the pill? Or have they been on the pill at any point around the time the symptoms started.

[teetaylor28]

Omg! I'm not alone! I experience this horrible itching 3 to four days before my period. The itching is so intense that I have to sit with an ice pack on my vagina to help with the swelling.  I hate it. I've been to doctors several times to try and figure out what the hell this is.I believe its definitely hormonal and has to be related to being on the pill. My question is the women on here that experience this are they on the pill? Or have they been on the pill at any point around the time the symptoms started.

[teetaylor28]

Omg! I'm not alone! I experience this horrible itching 3 to four days before my period. The itching is so intense that I have to sit with an ice pack on my vagina to help with the swolling.  I hate it. I've been to doctors several times to try and figure out what the hell this is.I believe its definitely hormonal and has to be related to being on the pill. My question is the women on here that experience this are they on the pill? Or have they been on the pill at any point around the time the symptoms started.