Hello everyone. I posted here a long while back, and was doing quite well. Anyway, I've been dealing with something for quite a while now, and wondering if maybe someone here may be experiencing something similar. I can't seem to find anything online about symptoms that are like mine.

I get intermittent vulvar itching, especially just before and just after my period (when I'm assuming estrogen is at its lowest). The weird part about it is that it is aggravated by touch. Wiping with TP, or any friction down there without lubrication sets off a burning/tingling itch, and sometimes even swelling (if the friction continues)! It calms down and subsides within 15 or 20 minutes or so. But it's definitely related to touch. There is no pain on touch, like vulvodynia, just itching. It's not all the time. Some times of the month there is no itching with touch, other times there is. If I'm touched and there is lubrication, it doesn't set off itching. So it seems to be dry touch that sets it off.

What the heck is this? Would vaginal dryness cause this??

I'm just about 40, my periods are still regular as clockwork. No other real peri symptoms other than maybe slightly worse PMS here and there. Nothing major. This has been going on for at least 3 or 4 years now. Doctors look at me like I have 3 heads.

I use perfume and dye free detergent, wear white cotton undies, don't douche or use any other products down there. I'm certain it's not an allergy or a contact dermatitis--unless you can be allergic to touch!!

Any ideas????

Hi there

It is probably hormonal. I myself have never suffered with that particular problem but hormones can trigger all sorts of weird symptoms.
However, it doesn't sound as though you are in actual peri yet. If you are only 40 and have no other symptoms then it seems unlikely. I think vulvar itching is common at any age which is why there are products available over the counter to deal with it.
Here in UK we have a product called Vagisil for that problem and I am sure wherever you live there will be a similar product.
As you move towards peri you will find that there are a myriad of weird things that can happen to your body and anything is possible, as we are all individuals.
Maybe someone else will be along who has had your particular problem (which sounds horrid for you! )I hope you manage to find some relief soon.

janet c

I have had this for years, I have told my Dr. and she looked at me as if I was green and fuzzy. I do also get it about a week or so before the big day. So the thing that works for me is just to dab don't rub for that week before other wise I get to sore if you know what I mean. I know that it is all apart of the wonderful journey, so hold on tight.
Cheers
QueenBee

Yay! Someone else in the world who understands!! I'm sorry you suffer with this, too. It's really annoying and upsetting.

Do you also notice it during sex, if you aren't lubricated enough? ANY friction at all sets it off, and that includes the friction of sex.

I might try jojoba oil just on the outside there when it gets particularly bad. I read somewhere that it is a wonderful moisturizer for skin, even *that* skin.

Has anyone tried it for vulvar dryness?

I use estrace (estrodial) cream for the vaginal dryness issues. I am still in peri. Looking back I too complained to my gyno in my early 40's and was only told to use more gentle soaps, detergents and wear cotton panties. yeh right....and it didn't help (symptoms did also coincide with just before period but no one made the hormonal connection). Now its more of a constent denominator and the med has alleviated discomfort and dryness. Good luck with everything, JZZ

Oh my gosh! I found this thread through a search on google. I could have written this - same exact symptoms (itching when touched - particularly when using toilet paper) and same exact times (before and after period - particularly bad the week before my period). I really hope this isn't something related to peri-menopause, because I'm only 33 and have been experiencing this for 2 1/2 years. It came on suddenly and now it happens like clockwork. Like you, there are times during the month (mainly mid-cycle) when I have NO itch whatsoever. And then, even during the times when I'm experiencing the itch, there will be random days where it doesn't occur at all. I'm trying to get pregnant and have been for 1.5 years and was concerned that maybe this was a hormonal imbalance that was preventing me from getting pregnant - however, all my hormone levels measured normal. Doctors also tend to think I'm crazy when I mention this - I was tested for yeast and there was nothing.

The one thing that does work for me that was recommended by my Dr. is the Rephresh product - immediately upon using it the itch disappears, but it does come back in 3 days (which is how long each dose is supposed to work). My Dr. seemed to feel that it was a pH issue. So weird. I'm just ecstatic to have finally found someone (or multiple someones) with the same symptoms...I had wondered on MANY occasions if it was in my head. ! I really don't feel like it's vaginal dryness....more that dryness occurs because of this. I do feel like it's somehow related to estrogen fluctuations...just would love to know what to do about it.