If Your Vagina's Itchy At Night, It's Probably Due To This.

Let’s First Talk About Why Your Vagina May Be Itching in the First Place

Definitely, a key indicator that something isn’t quite right down below is if you experience incessant itching. Here’s the thing about that, though — it isn’t always due to a yeast infection. In fact, there are several different things that can cause your vagina and/or vulva to itch a lot:

 
• Perfumed beauty products
• Laundry detergent
• Scented feminine products
• Tight clothing (no ventilation)
• Scented toilet paper
  
• Vaginal dryness
• Latex condoms
  
• Friction from sex
• Semen allergy
• A bad reaction to lubrication
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• STI/STDs
• Saliva (due to the bacteria that is in it)
• Latter stages of perimenopause/menopause
• Improper hygiene
• Diabetes
• Vulvar cancer
• Stress

I know, right? That is quite the list — 20 things, in fact. It’s necessary to share all of them with you, though. Why? Well, hopefully, by the process of elimination, you can get down to the root of why your vagina and/or vulva are itching to begin with.

For me, for the past few months, things would be completely fine throughout the day; however, when I would go to “lay my burdens down” at night — here came the itching and oftentimes, it would be in the wee hours of the night. After talking to my nurse practitioner a​bout it, we realized that two things were the culprit. One? I sleep naked and although I adore me some Tyler Glamorous Wash Diva Fine Laundry Detergent (the real ones know), it’s too strong when it comes to my sheets.

The other challenge? Oh, that damn perimenopause, chile. Although my symptoms are pretty mild (in comparison to what I hear other women share), since a common symptom of it is a drop ​in estrogen, which can lead to an itchy vagina — welp, there you go. Plus, if you sweat in your sleep, that can cause quite a bit of itching too.

Okay, but I was washing my clothes in the same detergent with no vaginal issues and perimenopause doesn’t only happen once the sun sets — so, why was I only noticing the itchiness at night? Good question.

Now Let’s Get into What Makes It Worse At Nighttime

So, here’s what’s wild about the main reason why your vagina seems to itch more at night than it does during the day: it mostly boils down to how still you are. Just think about it — during the daytime, you’re running around, with your mind on dozens of different things and so, it’s not until you’re actually in bed that everything has slowed down and you’re able to focus on your body more.

That’s not to say that stillness is the only thing that causes vaginal itching. Health experts also say that an uptick in your body’s temperature, an increased blood flow to your skin and even your system losing water throughout the night can cause the itching to ramp up.

Now let’s be real: If you’ve got an infection going on, you cannot lower your thermostat enough nor is there enough water in the world that is going to make any of the itching just automatically stop. You will definitely need some type of medication to bring forth some type of relief. However, if the itching is minor and it’s due to some other issues that are on that 20-point list, there are some things that you can do to calm it down, so that you can sleep better.

I’ve got six of ‘em.

6 Things That You Can Do to Relieve Vaginal/Vulvar Itching

Again, getting down to the cause of your vaginal itching is the best way to find some relief from it. Still, if after narrowing everything down and you come to the conclusions that some small tweaks are all that you need yet you’re not exactly sure what they should be — my two cents would be to start with these.

1. Set your thermostat to 68 degrees. There are actually a lot of different reasons why you may feel hot throughout the night. It could be your hormones (i.e., hot flashes); however, there are many other causes including your diet (caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods); vitamin deficiencies; diabetes; thyroid medication, and your weight. Something that can help to offset all of this is to sleep in breathable bedding (like organic cotton sheets) and turn down your thermostat to around 68 degrees. You’ll sweat less and your vagina/vulva will feel more comfortable too.

2. Wash and dry your vaginal area thoroughly before turning in. Although it’s pretty much up to preference when it comes to whether you should shower during the day or nighttime (check out “Does Your Vagina Prefer You Take A Shower Or A Bath?”), if you want to significantly decrease the chances of having an itchy genital region, wash your vaginal area before turning in (check out “Are You Washing Your Vagina Correctly? You Sure?)” and “Love On Yourself With These 7 All-Natural DIY Vaginal Washes”). It will remove any irritants including urine which can sometimes lead to itching in itself.

3. Apply a blend of tea tree and coconut oil to your vulvar skin. Something else that can reduce the itching (or potential for itching) around your vulva is applying a blend of tea tree oil and coconut oil. Both contain powerful antifungal properties and can help to reduce/ease inflammation. Just make sure to add a drop only of tea tree oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil and to avoid your vagina’s opening while applying as much as possible (in case it is super irritated; tea tree oil can really sting torn or wounded skin).

4. Use polyisoprene condoms. Planning on some midnight lovin’? If you sense that latex is what’s pissing your vagina off, try some polyisoprene condoms instead. Since they are made of synthetic material, they don’t contain the proteins in latex that sometimes lead to vaginal itching and irritation.

5. Stay hydrated. Something that definitely helps to regulate your body temperature is water. The main reason is because, when you sweat, your body loses water which causes your body temperature to rise. So, if you’re itchy and hot at the same time, drink some water. That might just do the trick.

6. Sleep naked. If you were to read an article on the benefits of sleeping naked (like these here, here and here), you’d be hard-pressed for vaginal health to not be mentioned. That’s because, in order for your vagina and vulva to “breathe,” for the chances of experiencing a yeast infection to be lowered and to regulate your body’s temperature, air is required. I’ve been sleeping naked for at least 20 years at this point, and I don’t see me stopping any time soon. I feel free and my vagina feels healthy. When it comes to getting a good night’s rest (and being itch-free), it doesn’t get much better than that! So, sleep naked. I can’t think of one solid reason not to!

Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.