What causes itching and pain in the female external genitalia?

Generally, female genital itching and pain may be caused by improper local hygiene, tight clothing, vulvitis, vaginitis, urethritis, or other reasons. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Improper Local Hygiene

If daily cleaning is not timely or the method is incorrect, such as excessive use of harsh cleansers, it may disrupt the acid-base balance and normal flora of the vulvar skin, leading to decreased resistance of the local skin and mucous membranes and causing itching and pain. It is important to wash the vulva daily with warm water, rinsing from front to back, avoiding washing inside the vagina to prevent disruption of the vaginal microecological balance; choose mild, non-irritating cleaning products and avoid excessive cleaning.

2. Tight Clothing

Long-term wearing of tight synthetic underwear or tight jeans may cause friction and pressure on the vulva, affecting local blood circulation, increasing vulvar skin temperature and humidity, and damaging the skin's barrier function, thus causing itching and pain. One should choose loose-fitting cotton underwear and clothing to maintain good vulvar ventilation and reduce irritation to the vulvar skin.

3. Vulvitis

Vulvitis is often caused by physical or chemical irritants, such as urine or fecal contamination, sanitary pad irritation, or possibly due to high sugar content in the urine of diabetic patients, which irritates the vulvar skin and causes inflammation. Inflammatory stimulation of the vulvar nerve endings may lead to itching and pain, accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, and a burning sensation. Treatment may include medications such as compound Sophora root wash, clotrimazole cream, and metronidazole gel, under a doctor's guidance.

4. Vaginitis

Vaginitis may be associated with bacterial infection, fungal infection, Trichomonas vaginalis infection, etc. Under inflammatory stimulation, vaginal discharge may increase, and these abnormal secretions may irritate the vulva, causing the above symptoms. It may also be accompanied by a burning sensation in the vagina and pain during intercourse. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as metronidazole suppositories, clotrimazole vaginal tablets, and Chuanbai antipruritic wash.

5. Urethritis

Urethritis is mainly caused by bacterial infection of the urethra, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, etc. The female urethra is short and straight, located close to the vagina and anus, making it prone to contamination. Urethritis leads to congestion and edema of the urethral mucosa; inflammatory irritation can cause vulvar itching and pain, especially with increased pain during urination. Symptoms may also include frequent and urgent urination. Patients may use medications such as levofloxacin hydrochloride tablets, norfloxacin capsules, and Relinqing granules under a doctor's recommendation.

In daily life, attention should be paid to hygiene during sexual activity, having a fixed sexual partner, and avoiding multiple partners; regular gynecological examinations should be conducted to detect and treat gynecological diseases early; long-term use of antibiotics and glucocorticoids should be avoided to prevent disruption of the body's normal flora and immune function.