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.

[sepjun]

Hi.  The same exact thing is happening to me.  The doctor really doesn't know what it is.  He said it's something with my cycle and to continue using vagisil for the itch.  I am frustrated.  It's very uncomfortable and leaves me extremely sensitive.  I actually know when it is coming on because I start to get very sensitive, then the itch starts, then my period begins a couple days later, then the itch goes away about two days after my period begins.  Even after my period ends, I am still left extremely sensitive.  Even hurts to wash and forget about intercourse, it's extremely painful.  Vagisil does help with the itch, so I use that, but I can't stand knowing what is causing this.  It's definitely happening as part of my cycle, but why all of a sudden?  I just don't get it.  I've never had this my whole life and now it's been happening practically every month for the past nine or so.  It's not an STD because I have yearly paps and I've been with my husband only for ten years.  Like the doctor said, it's obviously part of my cycle just the time that it comes on and how it goes away after I start.  So weird.  Anyways, if anyone has any advice or has talked to their doctor and gotten some better answers than me, please write.  Thanks.

[Pops1967]

Me too! I get it exactly 8 days before I. Due and then the relief of getting my period is so great because the itching and soreness stops. Think it must bacterial imbalance made acute with hormonal changes. I'm goignto start taking lots of B vitamins, evening primrose oil and of course lacrobacillus to see it it makes a difference next month. It's such a nightmare and has definitely just got worse recently ( have just turned 41). Vagisil makes it worse. Resorting to sleeping pills so i can get to sleep... Arghhhhh....Good luck all and it's comforting to know Im not alone...

[kbawlz]

I am having the very same thing. It's not a yeast infection but it's as bad if not worse than one. What's interesting is that I started getting this after my fertility returned having my third child (I nurse her and my period did not return until 18 months after having her) so I thought, it must be some hormonal thing. I've had it every month since then, except one, so I don't know what I did differently that month (if anything). It's driving me nuts. I've got a physical in April so hopefully they can determine what it is. Hope you all get some relief.

[angelie78]

Has anyone solved this mystery? I have been experiencing the same thing since about two months post-partum (seven months ago). I am also nursing. My symptoms (abnormal discharge, swelling, and burning) tend to last all month long, but are greatly intensified in the days right before my period and the only relief I get is in the few days after my period. And I've only had two periods post-partum, so that's not a lot of relief! I saw the doc this week and am waiting on test results but am getting impatient. :-)

[Smashley101]

This recently started happenening to me. It's driving me insane. i feel better reading this knowing im not alone and its nothing to be worried about, i hope...

Anyone found a reason, a way or even a helpful hint!?

[R333]

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, ITCHING AND A BURNING FEELING RIGHT BEFORE MY PERIOD, A WEEK BEFORE IT HAPPENS WITH THE OTHER SYMPTOMS, I WENT TO THE DOCTOR TRIED ALL THE CREAMS, NOTHING IS WORKING!!!!    HELP  US!

[JoAnne777]

I am experiencing the same thing. Does it ever go away permanently? I am currently 13 months post partum and am still nursing. On day 17 or 18 of my cycle I get itchy and sore and it hurts to wipe. Sounds like the same as the rest of you.
Anyone find a reason or a cure yet?

[sweety16]

this is just because of hormonal changes in our body n ph balance change of the vaginal discharge occuring before the periods..have curd n drink lots of water,avoid sweets,n yes stop taking birth control pill.it will help.i m doin the same thing and i guess its working...

[lady7771]

A related discussion, Relief for itch after period: found what works (at least for me) was started.

[Lady1974]

I have the same issue... Does anybody got some relief? It drives me nuts this itching feeling.

[needmeds]

A related discussion, Same Question...as above was started.

[debbygirl]

I have the same thing and I am 42.  My mate and I refrain from having relations when I am this itchy.  ( She has the same problem).  I had this itching even before I was a practicing lesbian so I know it is not that.  And we are very clean when we do have sex.
I just make sure that the vagina stays clean, and make sure air is getting there at night. Cortizone cream does help, once you gently clense the vaginal area.

[Lola83]

I'm 26 and I've developed the same problem about two years ago. It starts coming back during the last few days of my period and I actually get up in the middle of the night due to this **insane** itch. Post-period it lingers on for at least 3 days until it soothes down with vagisil. But it leaves me so sensitive to washing and even sanitary pads. Forget sex ... i'm sore for a good week after my period.
My husband's a doctor and he tends to take it lightly; says it's just one of those things that have to be symptomatically treated with creams like Vagisil. Canestan cream helps too but the itch takes its own time to leave. The problem was much much worse when I was on the pill; I quit it and resorted to the barrier method more than a year ago. At least that has restricted the itch to the days surrounding my period and thereabouts. It's little relief but it's better than living with it round the month. My heartfelt sympathies to all those suffering from the same. xx

[littlejewel]

Thank GOD I am not alone! I am 26, have never been pregnant, and have had a hard time finding a pill that did not make the issue worse. I have now been on the same pill for over 7 years, and in the last year, it has been getting worse.  
I ususaly take my pill for longer time, getting my period every 2-3 months instead as the itching is SO unbareable!! But the last year my body seems to just start itching and menstrating regardless if I keep taking the pill....
I started using the vagisil wipes - a god send! I dont like the creams as much as I once had a VERY bad, painfull reaction to them years back....I could not walk for DAYS!  

I am glad to know I am not alone!
I am married and my hubby works all the time, so the odd time we do see eachother he wants to have intercourse, and it always seems im either itchy or on my period when he is home, its taxing at best on him, but he is very understanding, but sexually frustrated to say the least!

[frostofsilence]

I am 20, and I have the same problem.. It started around the time of my second period after I had a miscarriage. I have never had a yeast infection or any other problems before this started happening. I have been having sex with only my fiance (father of the baby we lost) for about a year and a half now. Now that I see I'm not the only one that this happens to, I don't understand how this condition doesn't have a medical term for it.

I really don't think that this condition is caused by allergies. It must be something related to the cycle. I'm going to try drinking more water, pumping vitamins, using vagisil, and taking evening primrose oil. I'll keep everyone posted.

[Mel94115]

I've had the same itch for about a month now.  The first time it appeared it was really bad.  I kept waking up in the middle of the night.  Finally I made an appointment with my gyno and she ran a bunch of tests.  I did not have a std (which I already knew) but I did have a minor yeast infection coupled with an increased amount of bad bacteria.  My doctor put me on flucozale (the one day pill, not sure if that's how you spell) and a 7 day suppository.  The itch came back about 10 days before my next period.  I tried the monistat 1 day cream, but that burned so badly I have sworn off monistat products.  Recently my mom introduced me to acidolphillus GG.  I have been taking the pill form made by Culturelle (can buy at GNC) for the past week and my itching has decreased by about 85%.   I really believe that the itching has to do with the overgrowth of bad bacteria.  The acidophillus GG helps bring the ph levels back into balance so that the good flora is able to counteract the bad bacteria.  I also started drinking unsweetened cranberry juice to flush out my urinary tract.  When I do have itching I use vagisil silk anti-itching cream.  It relieves the itch without burning.  Since I started the A-GG I have been able to have sex with my fiance w/out pain or burning.  He has not come down with anything, so I know my itching is not contangious or spreadable.  One thing I would recommend to everyone is seeing your gyno at least one before using OTC or home remedies.  You should get a diagnosis from your doctor first to make sure nothing serious is going on down there.  Good luck everyone!!!

[Mel94115]

The product is actually called Lactobacillus GG.  It contains acidophillus, the same active ingredient in Activia.

[Belle81]

I just added myself onto the list of poor sufferers like US. I have this recurring condition every month too, worse before my period comes, and subsides after period goes! I been to my GYN and she diagnosed as yeast infection, given cream and antibiotics but nothing helps. It just goes and comes back again...I tried taking live culture yoghurt with acidophilus and it helps relieve the itching...but on times when I do not take it regularly it just itches like mad! Can someone tell me does this condition require some immediate and detailed examination? Am worried its something worse than just a hormonal imbalance that causes some sensitivity! It is so worrying! I am 29 this year....and i hate to keep running to the gyn as she will just keep doing pap smears and ultrasound scans! :(

[soccer4me]

I went to my doctor yesterday for the same thing everyone has posted about. She said it wasn't a yeast infection, but a bacterial infection. She gave me a prescription for Metronidzole Vaginal 0.74%PRA - which is a cream you insert with an applicator each night before bed. I feel relief already! She gave me a running prescription because she said this often reoccurs in women due to a pH imbalance - starting or ending your period is the trigger. I also use vagisil only on the affected area, and that helps alot. She suggested taking acidophilus chewable tablets to get the pH in balance. I started taking it yesterday and hope that it will help. I hope this will offer relief to the many sufferers that are in the same boat with me.

[Mel94115]

Just wanted to report back that I have not experienced itchiness in over a month.  I hope everyone finds relief.  I know first hand how frustrating this can be.  Good luck everyone!!

[mc1010]

I have been experiencing the same problem for a year. I would have gone to the dr I usually go for my annual but my husband lost his job and we have no health insurance. I usually start getting itchy about 4 days before my period. REAL ITCHY!!!! its at the opening. Its awful. I am going to have to go to a free clinic. I have used OTC relief but it comes back every month. I will start taking the acidophilis and hope that and the clinic help me out but I never had this problem. I have 2 kids but after the 2nd one my body is wacko!! Has anyone had any relief???

[tjard347]

same issue here. went to the dr she ran all types of tests, took swabs, took blood, they don't know what it is. she seems to think its in my head. i'm going to go back to the dr and back again and again until i or they figure out what is wrong.

[olgopogo]

i actually have this same thing and its the fact that the lactobacillus are higher than normal and it causes some pain and itching before your period, and i was told to just use pads during it and it should cure itself, if not there is not much any doctor can do to help it. I would suggest going to your doctor and asking about this as well. i was told it was called "cv" and i did find information on it before but i can't seem to find it now. suggestions i got were douching with baking soda because this can help regulate the ph down there but before any of you try this please speak to your doctor and find out if it is the same thing. hope this help!

[olgopogo]

to all of this forum, i have found the page that explains this condition and i was told by my gyno that this was a common problem that often is diagnosed WRONG. please read and print out and bring to your doctors. you may have other things but i really think this may be the cause for most of your problems. http://www.virginia.edu/studenthealth/Cytolytic%20Vaginosis.pdf
the name of the condition is cytolytic vaginosis, from what i have learned it is nothing serious, more just something annoying. but please, again, talk to your doctors first as there may be things accompanying this as well. let me know if this helps!