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Vaginal Itching / Burning
Vulvar irritation, vaginal inflammation, vulvovaginitis
“It’s like my underwear is made of sandpaper—and nothing helps.”
Vaginal Itching / Burning
Vulvar irritation, vaginal inflammation, vulvovaginitis
“It’s like my underwear is made of sandpaper—and nothing helps.”
Vaginal Itching / Burning
Vulvar irritation, vaginal inflammation, vulvovaginitis
“It’s like my underwear is made of sandpaper—and nothing helps.”
What it feels like
Tingling, itching, burning, rawness, stinging, or a “chafed” sensation—sometimes constant, sometimes triggered by movement, sex, or urination.
Why it catches you off-guard
It’s a deeply uncomfortable symptom that feels like something is wrong, yet many women are told it’s “just dryness” or “nothing is there.”
What it feels like
Tingling, itching, burning, rawness, stinging, or a “chafed” sensation—sometimes constant, sometimes triggered by movement, sex, or urination.
Why it catches you off-guard
It’s a deeply uncomfortable symptom that feels like something is wrong, yet many women are told it’s “just dryness” or “nothing is there.”
What it feels like
Tingling, itching, burning, rawness, stinging, or a “chafed” sensation—sometimes constant, sometimes triggered by movement, sex, or urination.
Why it catches you off-guard
It’s a deeply uncomfortable symptom that feels like something is wrong, yet many women are told it’s “just dryness” or “nothing is there.”
You're not alone
Over 50% of postmenopausal women report vaginal irritation, and most never bring it up with a provider.
Reminder:
If something feels off, you deserve care. Itching and burning during menopause are treatable.
You're not alone
Over 50% of postmenopausal women report vaginal irritation, and most never bring it up with a provider.
Reminder:
If something feels off, you deserve care. Itching and burning during menopause are treatable.
You're not alone
Over 50% of postmenopausal women report vaginal irritation, and most never bring it up with a provider.
Reminder:
If something feels off, you deserve care. Itching and burning during menopause are treatable.
What's really happening
Vaginal itching and burning can be caused by hormone-related tissue changes during perimenopause and menopause. Lower estrogen levels lead to thinner, drier, more sensitive vaginal and vulvar skin—often referred to as part of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). Even things that never used to bother you (like laundry detergent, sex, or your underwear) can start to feel irritating or painful.
Vaginal itching and burning can be caused by hormone-related tissue changes during perimenopause and menopause. Lower estrogen levels lead to thinner, drier, more sensitive vaginal and vulvar skin—often referred to as part of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). Even things that never used to bother you (like laundry detergent, sex, or your underwear) can start to feel irritating or painful.
But why?
Estrogen keeps the vaginal tissue moist, plump, and resilient. When it drops, the skin becomes fragile and more sensitive.
Estrogen keeps the vaginal tissue moist, plump, and resilient. When it drops, the skin becomes fragile and more sensitive.
Scientific Breakdown
Estrogen maintains healthy epithelial tissue in the vagina and vulva, supporting lubrication, elasticity, and a balanced microbiome. When levels drop during menopause, this tissue becomes thinner, drier, and more vulnerable to microabrasions, itching, and inflammation. These symptoms can be compounded by disrupted pH levels, bacterial imbalance, and an increased risk of infections like UTIs, BV, or yeast.
• ↓ Estrogen → thinner vaginal and vulvar tissue
• ↓ Lubrication → increased friction and irritation
• ↓ Vaginal pH control → more infections, inflammation
• ↓ Blood flow → slower healing and increased sensitivity
Estrogen maintains healthy epithelial tissue in the vagina and vulva, supporting lubrication, elasticity, and a balanced microbiome. When levels drop during menopause, this tissue becomes thinner, drier, and more vulnerable to microabrasions, itching, and inflammation. These symptoms can be compounded by disrupted pH levels, bacterial imbalance, and an increased risk of infections like UTIs, BV, or yeast.
• ↓ Estrogen → thinner vaginal and vulvar tissue
• ↓ Lubrication → increased friction and irritation
• ↓ Vaginal pH control → more infections, inflammation
• ↓ Blood flow → slower healing and increased sensitivity
Essentially…
It’s not in your head. Your skin really is more sensitive now, and that burning, itchy feeling is a physical result of low estrogen—not poor hygiene, not over-washing, and not “just stress.”
It’s not in your head. Your skin really is more sensitive now, and that burning, itchy feeling is a physical result of low estrogen—not poor hygiene, not over-washing, and not “just stress.”
See a doctor if …
• The itching or burning is persistent or painful
• You notice changes in skin texture (tears, whitened skin, redness)
• Sex or urination is painful
• You’ve tried over-the-counter creams and nothing helps
• The itching or burning is persistent or painful
• You notice changes in skin texture (tears, whitened skin, redness)
• Sex or urination is painful
• You’ve tried over-the-counter creams and nothing helps
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about
Vaginal Itching / Burning
Vaginal Itching / Burning
Q: What’s the difference between dryness and burning?
Dryness can cause burning—especially during movement or sex. They often go hand-in-hand.
Q: Could this be an infection?
Maybe—but if it keeps happening without a positive test, GSM is a likely cause.
Q: Will this get better on its own?
Unlikely. Without estrogen, the tissue won’t repair itself—but treatment can help fast.
Q: What’s the difference between dryness and burning?
Dryness can cause burning—especially during movement or sex. They often go hand-in-hand.
Q: Could this be an infection?
Maybe—but if it keeps happening without a positive test, GSM is a likely cause.
Q: Will this get better on its own?
Unlikely. Without estrogen, the tissue won’t repair itself—but treatment can help fast.
“I thought I had chronic yeast infections—but it turns out I just needed estrogen. Within a week of using the cream, the itching and burning finally stopped. I could cry from the relief.”
— FLUXX community member, age 56
FLUXX Recommendations
1. Use a hormone-free vaginal moisturizer daily
2. Try low-dose vaginal estrogen to rebuild tissue
3. Switch to 100% cotton underwear and fragrance-free hygiene products
1. Use a hormone-free vaginal moisturizer daily
2. Try low-dose vaginal estrogen to rebuild tissue
3. Switch to 100% cotton underwear and fragrance-free hygiene products
Non-Hormonal Medications
• Vaginal moisturizers (Replens, Hyalo Gyn)
• Prescribed anti-inflammatory or antifungal creams (if relevant)
• Vaginal moisturizers (Replens, Hyalo Gyn)
• Prescribed anti-inflammatory or antifungal creams (if relevant)
• Aloe vera–based moisturizers or oils
• Calendula or chamomile creams (spot tested and unscented)
• Natural cotton pads or liners
• Aloe vera–based moisturizers or oils
• Calendula or chamomile creams (spot tested and unscented)
• Natural cotton pads or liners
Lifestyle Suggestions
• Avoid scented soaps, douches, and wipes
• Use a pH-balanced, fragrance-free cleanser
• Sleep without underwear to allow airflow
• Avoid scented soaps, douches, and wipes
• Use a pH-balanced, fragrance-free cleanser
• Sleep without underwear to allow airflow
Myth-Busting
This isn’t just about hygiene—it’s hormone-driven tissue change.
This isn’t just about hygiene—it’s hormone-driven tissue change.
Modern Guidance
Local HT is considered safe and effective for vaginal symptoms by The Menopause Society, ACOG, and others.
Local HT is considered safe and effective for vaginal symptoms by The Menopause Society, ACOG, and others.
Ask yourself
• “Do you prefer non-hormonal approaches?”
• “Are you getting frequent irritation after sex or bathing?”
• “Have you tried low-dose vaginal estrogen before?”
• “Do you prefer non-hormonal approaches?”
• “Are you getting frequent irritation after sex or bathing?”
• “Have you tried low-dose vaginal estrogen before?”
Ask your doctor
• “Could this be hormone-related tissue thinning?”
• “Is vaginal estrogen safe for me?”
• “What’s the best approach if I want to avoid long-term medications?”
• “Could this be hormone-related tissue thinning?”
• “Is vaginal estrogen safe for me?”
• “What’s the best approach if I want to avoid long-term medications?”
Vaginal HT is low-risk and well tolerated—even for many breast cancer survivors, with guidance.
Vaginal HT is low-risk and well tolerated—even for many breast cancer survivors, with guidance.
Feel like yourself again.
FLUXX © 2025
Feel like yourself again.
FLUXX © 2025
Feel like yourself again.
FLUXX © 2025