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Vaginal Itching and Discharge

By

David H. Barad

, MD, MS, Center for Human Reproduction

Reviewed/Revised Feb 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
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Vaginal itching (pruritus), discharge, or both result from infectious or noninfectious inflammation of the vaginal mucosa (vaginitis Overview of Vaginitis Vaginitis is infectious or noninfectious inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, sometimes with inflammation of the vulva. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, irritation, pruritus, and erythema... read more Overview of Vaginitis ), often with inflammation of the vulva (vulvovaginitis). Symptoms may also include irritation, burning, erythema, and sometimes dyspareunia. Symptoms of vaginitis are one of the most common gynecologic complaints.

Pathophysiology of Vaginal Itching and Discharge

Physiologic vaginal discharge occurs daily in many women, and volume may increase when estrogen levels are high. Estrogen levels are high in the following situations:

  • A few days before ovulation

  • During the few months before menarche and during pregnancy (when estrogen production increases)

  • With use of drugs that contain estrogen or that increase estrogen production (eg, some fertility drugs)

  • During the first 2 weeks of life (because maternal estrogens are transferred before birth)

However, irritation, burning, and pruritus are never normal.

Normally in women of reproductive age, Lactobacillus species is the predominant constituent of normal vaginal flora. Colonization by these bacteria keeps vaginal pH in the normal range (3.8 to 4.2), thereby preventing overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria.

Factors that predispose to overgrowth of bacterial vaginal pathogens include

  • Use of antibiotics (which may decrease lactobacilli)

  • Alkaline vaginal pH due to menstrual blood or semen

  • Vaginal douching

  • Pregnancy

  • Diabetes mellitus

  • An intravaginal foreign body (eg, a forgotten tampon or vaginal pessary)

Etiology of Vaginal Itching and Discharge

The most common causes of vaginal itching and discharge vary by patient age (see table Some Causes of Vaginal Pruritus and Discharge Some Causes of Vaginal Pruritus and Discharge Some Causes of Vaginal Pruritus and Discharge ).

Children

In children, a common cause is nonspecific vulvovaginitis Overview of Vaginitis Vaginitis is infectious or noninfectious inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, sometimes with inflammation of the vulva. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, irritation, pruritus, and erythema... read more Overview of Vaginitis , usually due to infection with gastrointestinal tract flora. A common contributing factor in girls aged 2 to 6 years is poor perineal hygiene (eg, wiping from back to front after bowel movements, not washing their hands after bowel movements).

Chemicals in bubble baths or soaps may cause inflammation and pruritus of the vulva, which often recur.

Foreign bodies may cause nonspecific vaginitis, often with a scant bloody discharge.

Less commonly, a vaginal discharge in children results from sexual abuse Sexual abuse Child maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (eg, clergy, coach, teacher) that results... read more Sexual abuse . If abuse is suspected, measures to ensure the child’s safety must be taken, and a report must be made to state authorities.

Women of reproductive age

Vaginitis is also a common cause in women of reproductive age. The most common types are

Vaginitis may also result from foreign bodies (eg, a forgotten tampon).

Postmenopausal women

Women of all ages

At any age, a fistula between the intestines and genital tract can predispose to vaginal or vulvar infection. This rare disorder is usually obstetric in origin (due to vaginal birth trauma or a complication of episiotomy infection), but fistulas sometimes result from inflammatory bowel disease Overview of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, is a relapsing and remitting condition characterized by chronic inflammation at various sites in the gastrointestinal... read more , pelvic tumors, or pelvic surgery (eg, hysterectomy, anal surgery).

Noninfectious vulvitis accounts for up to 30% of vulvovaginitis cases. It may result from hypersensitivity or irritant reactions to various agents, including hygiene sprays or perfumes, menstrual pads, laundry soaps, bleaches, fabric softeners, and sometimes spermicides, vaginal creams or lubricants, latex condoms, vaginal contraceptive rings, and diaphragms.

Table

Evaluation of Vaginal Itching and Discharge

History

History of present illness includes nature of symptoms (eg, pruritus, burning, pain, discharge), duration, and intensity. If vaginal discharge is present, patients should be asked about the color and odor of the discharge and any exacerbating and remitting factors (particularly those related to menses and intercourse). They should also be asked about use of hygiene sprays or perfumes, spermicides, vaginal creams or lubricants, latex condoms, vaginal contraceptive rings, diaphragms, and pessaries.

Review of systems should seek symptoms suggesting possible causes, including the following:

  • Fever or chills and abdominal or suprapubic pain: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or cystitis

  • Polyuria and polydipsia: New-onset diabetes

Past medical history should note risk factors for the following:

  • Candidal infection (eg, recent antibiotic use, diabetes, HIV infection, other immunosuppressive disorders)

  • Fistulas (eg, Crohn disease, genitourinary or gastrointestinal cancer, pelvic or rectal surgery, lacerations during delivery)

  • Sexually transmitted infections (eg, unprotected intercourse, multiple partners)

If sexual abuse of a child is suspected, a structured forensic interview based on the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Protocol can be used. It helps the child report information about the experienced event and improves the quality of information obtained.

Physical examination

Physical examination focuses on the pelvic examination.

The external genitals are examined for erythema, excoriations, and swelling. A water-lubricated speculum is used to check the vaginal walls for erythema, discharge, and fistulas. The cervix is inspected for inflammation (eg, trichomoniasis) and discharge. Vaginal pH is measured, and samples of secretions are obtained for testing. A bimanual examination is done to identify cervical motion tenderness and adnexal or uterine tenderness (indicating PID).

Red flags

The following findings are of particular concern:

  • Fever or pelvic pain

  • Bloody discharge in postmenopausal women

  • Fecal discharge (suggesting a fistula, even if not seen)

  • Trichomonal vaginitis in children (suggesting sexual abuse)

Interpretation of findings

Often, the history and physical examination help suggest a diagnosis (see table Some Causes of Vaginal Pruritus and Discharge Some Causes of Vaginal Pruritus and Discharge Some Causes of Vaginal Pruritus and Discharge ), although there can be much overlap.

In children, a vaginal discharge suggests a foreign body in the vagina. If no foreign body is present and children have trichomonal vaginitis, sexual abuse is likely. If they have unexplained vaginal discharge, cervicitis Cervicitis Cervicitis is infectious or noninfectious inflammation of the cervix. Findings may include cervical or vaginal discharge and cervical erythema and friability. Diagnosis is with tests for cervical... read more Cervicitis , which may be due to a sexually transmitted infection, should be considered, and cervical cultures should be done. Nonspecific vulvovaginitis is a diagnosis of exclusion.

In women of reproductive age, discharge due to vaginitis must be distinguished from normal discharge:

Contact irritant or allergic reactions cause significant irritation and inflammation with comparatively minimal discharge.

In genitourinary syndrome of menopause, discharge is scant and may be watery and thin or thick and yellowish. Dyspareunia is common, and vaginal tissue appears thin and dry.

Testing

All patients with vaginal itching or discharge require the following in-office testing:

  • pH

  • Wet mount

  • Potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation

Vaginal secretions are tested using pH paper with 0.2 intervals from pH 4.0 to 6.0. Then, a cotton swab is used to place secretions on 2 slides; secretions are diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride on one slide (saline wet mount) and with 10% KOH on the other (KOH preparation).

The KOH preparation is sniffed (whiff test) for a fishy odor, which results from amines produced in trichomonal vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis. The slide is examined using a microscope; KOH dissolves most cellular material except yeast hyphae, making identification easier.

The saline wet mount is examined using a microscope as soon as possible to look for clue cells and motile trichomonads, which can become immotile and more difficult to recognize within minutes after slide preparation.

If clinical criteria and in-office test results are inconclusive, the discharge may be cultured for fungi and trichomonads.

Treatment of Vaginal Itching and Discharge

Any specific cause of the itching or discharge is treated.

Soaps and unnecessary topical preparations (eg, feminine hygiene sprays) should be avoided. If a soap is needed, a hypoallergenic soap should be used. Intermittent use of ice packs or warm sitz baths may reduce soreness and pruritus. Flushing the genital area with lukewarm water may also provide relief.

If chronic vulvar inflammation is due to being bedbound or incontinent, better vulvar hygiene may help. Prepubertal girls should be taught good vulvar hygiene (eg, wiping front to back after bowel movements and voiding).

Women should be advised not use vaginal douches.

If symptoms are moderate or severe or do not respond to other measures, drugs may be needed. For pruritus, topical antifungals or low-potency corticosteroids (eg, 1% hydrocortisone twice a day as needed) can be applied to the vulva, if appropriate, but not into the vagina.

Geriatrics Essentials

In postmenopausal women, a marked decrease in estrogen causes the vaginal pH to become less acidic and causes vaginal thinning. Vaginal thinning is one symptom of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. In this syndrome, vaginal inflammation often results in an abnormal discharge, which is scant and may be watery and thin or thick and yellowish. Dyspareunia is common, and vaginal tissue appears fragile and dry.

Other common causes of decreased estrogen in older women include oophorectomy, pelvic radiation, and certain chemotherapy drugs.

Low-dose vaginal estrogen is the preferred treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

Poor hygiene (eg, in patients who are incontinent or bedbound) can lead to chronic vulvar inflammation due to chemical irritation by urine or feces.

Bacterial vaginosis, candidal vaginitis, and trichomonal vaginitis may occur in postmenopausal women.

After menopause, risk of cancer increases, and a bloody discharge is more likely to be due to cancer; thus, any vaginal discharge in postmenopausal women should be promptly evaluated.

Key Points

  • Causes of vaginal pruritus and itching vary depending on the patient’s age.

  • For most patients, measure vaginal pH and obtain a sample of secretions for microscopic examination and testing; if needed, do testing for sexually transmitted infections.

  • In postmenopausal women, promptly evaluate any vaginal discharge.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Acidophilus, Acidophilus Gold Extra Strength, BioGaia, Culturelle, Culturelle Health & Wellness, Culturelle Health & Wellness Vegetarian, Culturelle Kids, Culturelle Kids Probiotic, Culturelle Kids Pro-well Probiotics, Culturelle Kids Purely Probiotic, Culturelle Kids Regularity, Culturelle Probiotics, Culturelle Probiotics Health & Wellness, Culturelle Probiotics Total Balance, Florajen, Floranex Granules, Lacto Freedom , Mega Probiotic, NewFlora, PROBACAP, Probiotic, Probiotic Acidophilus, REJUVAFLOR, RENEWAFLOR, UpSpring DUAL
4-Way Saline, Adsorbonac, Altamist, Ayr Allergy & Sinus, Ayr Baby Saline, Ayr Saline Nasal, BD Posiflush Normal Saline, BD Posiflush Sterile Field Normal Saline, BD Posiflush SureScrub Normal Saline, Blairex Broncho Saline, Breathe Free Saline, Deep Sea , Entsol, HyperSal, Hyper-Sal, Hypertears, Little Remedies for Noses, Little Remedies Stuffy Nose, Monoject Sodium Chloride, Muro 128, NebuSal , Ocean, Ocean Complete, Ocean For Kids, Pediamist, PULMOSAL, Rhinaris, Rhinaris Lubricating, Saljet , Saljet Rinse, SaltAire, Sea Soft, Trichotine, Wound Wash, XYNASE, ZARBEE'S Soothing Saline Nasal Mist
A-Hydrocort, Ala-Cort, Ala-Scalp, Alkindi, Anucort-HC, Anumed-HC, Anusol HC, Aquaphor Children's Itch Relief, Aquaphor Itch Relief, Balneol for Her, Caldecort , Cetacort, Colocort , Cortaid, Cortaid Advanced, Cortaid Intensive Therapy, Cortaid Sensitive Skin, CortAlo, Cortef, Cortenema, Corticaine, Corticool, Cortifoam, Cortizone-10, Cortizone-10 Cooling Relief, Cortizone-10 External Itch Relief, Cortizone-10 Intensive Healing, Cortizone-10 Plus, Cortizone-10 Quick Shot, Cortizone-5 , Dermarest Dricort, Dermarest Eczema, Dermarest Itch Relief, Encort, First - Hydrocortisone, Gly-Cort , GRx HiCort, Hemmorex-HC, Hemorrhoidal-HC, Hemril , Hycort, Hydro Skin, Hydrocortisone in Absorbase, Hydrocortone, Hydroskin , Hydroxym, Hytone, Instacort, Lacticare HC, Locoid, Locoid Lipocream, MiCort-HC , Monistat Complete Care Instant Itch Relief Cream, Neosporin Eczema, NuCort , Nutracort, NuZon, Pandel, Penecort, Preparation H Hydrocortisone, Proctocort, Proctocream-HC, Procto-Kit, Procto-Med HC , Procto-Pak, Proctosert HC , Proctosol-HC, Proctozone-HC, Rectacort HC, Rectasol-HC, Rederm, Sarnol-HC, Scalacort, Scalpicin Anti-Itch, Solu-Cortef, Texacort, Tucks HC, Vagisil Anti-Itch, Walgreens Intensive Healing, Westcort
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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