What to do if your vulva is itchy after menopause

When women reach a certain age, they will experience menopause. After menopause, their uterus will no longer discharge eggs, and they will no longer have the ability to conceive. Women are most likely to develop vaginitis after menopause, and some women may also experience symptoms of vulvar itching, which requires people to pay attention to maintaining vaginal hygiene and clean it regularly. Let’s take a look at what to do about vulvar itching after menopause?

1.1 General treatment

Pay attention to menstrual hygiene and keep the vulva clean and dry. Avoid scratching, washing with hot water, and using soap. When there is an infection, use potassium permanganate solution for a sitz bath. The underwear should be breathable and loose. Avoid alcohol and spicy or allergic foods.

1.2. Etiological treatment

For Trichomonas vaginitis, lead acetate solution or 3% boric acid solution can be used for external washing, and then oral or vaginal medication can be taken. Take metronidazole orally, 0.2g each time, 3 times a day, for 7 consecutive days. Couples can take it together. Apply the medicine vaginally, once a night, 0.2-0.4g each time, for 7 consecutive days. Repeat the above treatment 3 days after the next menstruation is over. If the test is negative for three consecutive times, the patient is considered cured.

1.3. Topical medications

In case of acute inflammation, you can use 1% levofloxacin plus 1% rivanol solution, or use Chlorhexidine or complex iodine to wash the vulva, and then apply 40% zinc oxide ointment. Chronic itching can be treated with dexamethasone emulsion.

1.4. Oral medication

Vitamins B, C, A, and E can be supplemented appropriately. Chlorpheniramine 4 mg, 3 times a day. Menopausal patients should take 0.25-0.5 mg of ethylenediamine powder orally once a day for 10 consecutive days.

2. What is the cause of vulvar itching after menopause?

2.1. Poor hygiene habits

Many women may experience vulvar itching due to improper vaginal cleaning. Failure to clean the vulva in time or excessive cleaning can also cause gynecological inflammation in menopausal women.

2.2 Vulvar diseases

Vulvar eczema, vulvar hypopigmentation or leukoplakia, vulvar ringworm, eczema, etc., if not treated in time, will cause vulvar itching.

2.3. Secretion stimulation

After menopause, women's hormone levels drop and their secretions do not decrease significantly, or even disappear. However, this does not mean that there will be no more secretions. Urine, feces, etc. can also irritate the vulva. If there is a significant increase or odor, you may consider whether you have vaginitis.

2.4 Local stimulation

Direct stimulation of the vulva with alkaline lotions and chemical fiber underwear can cause vulvar itching.

3. What to eat for vulvar itching after menopause

3.1. Eat protein foods

There are many foods rich in protein, the most common ones are milk, soy milk, eggs, meat and so on. At the same time, experts also remind us that we should try to eat less sweet foods in our daily lives to avoid making the inflammation worse.

3.2. Ensure a balanced diet

Eat small meals frequently and keep your diet as light as possible. If the body's immunity is reduced, it is more likely to be infected with gynecological inflammation. Therefore, from the perspective of improving the body's immunity, we must first pay attention to replenishing sufficient water, and then avoid the lack of trace elements, especially avoid the lack of calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium, and supplement rich protein.