What could cause vaginal itching during my period?

[nothappy1]

I am 33. have dealt with vaginal itching for a YEAR.
I begin to itch on the third day of my period. When my period ends, the itching ends. There is no discharge (except blood of course). There is no odor or rash. My GYN has done numerous tests. They have all come back negative. It is not yeast. It is not a bacterial infection. It is not an std.  
I use an allergy free detergent. I have tried shaving, not shaving, washing with fragrance free soap, washing with only water, using 100% cotton tampons, not using tampons, using mini-pads, not using pads, taking sugar out of my diet... Every month, the same thing occurs.
What on earth could this be?

[WhiskeyJar]

I don't really have an answer for this quandary - just wanted to let you know you are not alone in the issue. My period blood makes me itch within the first hour or two of my period. No matter what I change, don't change. How often I clean myself and change pads or tampons...it STILL makes me itch. So I feel your pain and irritation!

[Deanna81]

I see you have solved your problem but I would like to offer a few tips for any women still searching for an answer.

Blood is an irritant. Added moisture in addition to the raging hormones associated with periods will definitely cause itching. Avoid perfumes or dyes down there. Wash a few times daily with a warm wash cloth. If you must use soap use a very mild one. Use cotton tampons or pads and wear properly fitting cotton panties. Avoid tight clothing. Let those lady parts breathe! Lol!

Some women also develop vaginal thrush whilst menstruating. This can be eased with OTC vagisil or prescription cream from your doctor. If you've used your cream for more than 5-7 days with no relief, discontinue use unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. It may be that you're allergic to one of the ingredients.

Eat plenty of yogurt or take a probiotic and keep your lady parts clean and dry, and you should be able to avoid this monthly itch. It's usually just an over production of yeast and yeast loves moist places.

Best of luck. I hope your itchiness has stayed at bay!

Sources: I'm a nurse.

[nothappy1]

It's finally gone! Two periods have come and gone without itching. What a relief! Who knows what on earth caused it or what made it go away. Maybe I prolonged the whole episode while I was obsessively trying different things down there.
(I use an allergy free detergent. I have tried shaving, not shaving, washing with fragrance free soap, washing with only water, using 100% cotton tampons, not using tampons, using mini-pads, not using pads, taking sugar out of my diet...)

I could only admit this over the internet, but I actually just left the whole area completely alone for 60 days...that's right. I didn't shave or even wash! I guess it really is a jungle down there. It has it's own little eco system which can be easily thrown out of balance!

Wow.

[30yroldmomof1]

I got the same thing and my doctor said all my test were negative so left it alone and it went away too. But this December it came back and I went to the gyno and she looked at everything under a microscope right away and found BV I took antibiotics and it seemed to make it worse so she gave me two more rounds, then I tried every home remedy and worse. Now I have left it alone for thirty days only taking probiotics and I'm still itchy I wish I had left it alone since the beginning like I did the last times. I think your right just leaving it alone and letting it cure itself is the best bet. I also heard that antibiotics could kill whole cultures of good bacteria. I think taking the antibiotics and trying home remedies were a big mistake.

[RubyWitch]

I'm not sure if there are false positives with yeast infections. Ask your doctor if repeating the culture would be worth a try. And remember that even if your doctor doesn't think a second culture would show anything different, it is your right to request a second test be done.

I'm totally out of touch regarding "modern" birth control pills. Haven't used them since the 60's when they were soooooo strong we all became raving lunatics. This is yet another question for your doctor.

It's just so weird that the itching seems to appear like clockwork on day three and disappears the day your period does and you never have it at any other time. Blood is the only thing that connects everthing, but I don't see why that would make you itch. You can't be allergic to your own blood. (Can you?) I think anybody would be in serious trouble if they were allergic to their own blood. Stupid idea.
This has ME totally stumped and I can only suggest that you get a second opinion.
Sorry.........I've still been no help.
I wish you the best in finding an answer.
Peace
Greenlydia

[nothappy1]

Could a yeast culture come back negative, but be wrong? It is only a sample. Maybe I have yeast, but there was none in the sample taken. Does it work like that?

I heard that birth control pills could cause extra yeast during your period. I have been off of them for 4 months now, but I took them for 15 years. Could this have something to do with it?

[RubyWitch]

If you only begin itching on the third day of your period, my guess would be some sort of allergy. But, as you've pointed out, you have tried changing many things that could be the cause of an allergy and none of them made any difference. It is a bit of a mystery, eh? And the fact that your gyno couldn't come up with is a cause makes it even MORE of a mystery. The fact that the itching stops as soon as your period does would make it seem a sure bet that it has SOMETHING to do with SOMETHING DIFFERENT you do each month, besides bleed. Can you think really hard about what, if anything, you've changed in the past year regarding your periods. Have you changed jobs to one that is more physical? Taken up running or some other sport? I'm just thinking it may be that these activities would make you sweat more, which could cause the itching. But even as I wrote that I thought that can't be it. I'm sure you don't just work or work out when you have your period, so the itching wouldn't be cyclic.
I think I would ask my gyno for a referrence to some sort of specialist and don't ask me what kind that would be. There is an answer out there, we just have to figure out who would be the most likely to know.
Sorry I was zero help to you. Hopefully someone else will post who has an idea.
I wish you luck getting to the bottom of this and I hope you let us all know what it was.
Peace
Greenlydia