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Why You Feel ‘Itchy’ Down There Before Or During Your Period, According To An Expert
We understand how uncomfortable periods can be. From the lingering effects of PMS on our mood to aching cramps and bloating, there are enough changes happening in our bodies over a 28-day cycle to last us a lifetime. Still, some women experience a post-period symptom to add to their concerns: vaginal itchiness and odor. Which leaves us to wonder: what’s the reason behind all this?
To help us get to the bottom of this common issue, we’ve tapped board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH, the “Lady Parts Doctor,” to uncover normal and abnormal symptoms, causes, and preventative measures for vaginal itch and odor.
The Cause of Vaginal Itch and Odor
According to Dr. Hack, there are a number of factors that can cause vaginal irritation and itching.
“Vaginas are colonized with bacteria and yeast that generally live in harmony. The vagina has an acidic environment — its pH is under seven — which creates an environment where bacteria live in harmony,” she tells xoNecole. “Because we have lots of lactobacilli (or good bacteria) that keep the levels of the other more harmful bacteria and the yeast down, anything that decreases the amount of this good bacteria can throw the population levels off.”
This change in pH levels can then result in an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, which can lead to vaginal infections like BV or a yeast infection.
What Causes Changes In Our pH Balance
Changes in our pH levels are connected to our hormone levels through estrogen and progesterone. “People who are in higher levels of estrogen states like due to pregnancy, being on your period, or taking hormone replacement therapy, can experience more yeast infections because of the relationship between estrogen and yeast,” Dr. Hack shares.
Because many of the products that we use in our daily hygiene routine can be irritating to our vaginal area, Dr. Hack shares that this can cause an allergic reaction or further exasperate our irritations. “As women, we will put many things in our vaginas trying to help it, but these things can actually be harmful,” she says. “One thing we always tell people not to do is put soaps in our vaginas. Douching, using sprays and creams, yoni pearls, and steaming can irritate the vagina and throw off your pH.”
Other factors like sexually transmitted infections and even some pelvic floor dysfunction can cause us to have burning or tingling pain and discomfort sensations in the vagina.
Why Vaginal Itching Happens Around Our Periods
Hormonal changes are seen as being the leading causes of vaginal irritation and why it tends to occur right before our period. Since there’s a link between our hormone levels and the estrogen levels of our cycle being highest just before ovulation, it essentially doesn’t give our bodies enough time to rebalance our pH levels before our periods start again.
“If you have a 28-day cycle, you're going to get your period about two weeks after ovulation. This may cause you to start experiencing the symptoms of yeast overgrowth, maybe a week or so after ovulation, which is a week before your period,” she says. So if you find yourself always saying, “Man, I'm always getting yeast infections right before my period,” you can blame your hormones for that.
Signs That It Might Be Time To See A Doctor
When it comes to whether or not you need to see the doctor about your vaginal discomfort, Dr. Hack advises you to pay attention to abnormal changes in the color and odor of your discharge. “If you notice that you have a lingering odor after your period ends, that isn’t your typical post-period blood odor, or you notice that you have a change in your discharge, that’s gray and has that fishy odor — or if it's clumpy and white, or green, or yellow — that's something that you should definitely follow up with your doctor on.”
Additionally, when speaking to your gynecologist, always keep note of any irregular pain associated with the pelvic area and cite any recent antibiotics or medication changes that could be related to these symptoms.
How To Prevent Vaginal Irritation
To maintain a balanced pH level and to keep your lady parts happy before and after your cycle, take the following feminine care tips into consideration:
- “You don't really need to put anything in your vagina, other than water — you really should just clean your vagina with your hands and water,” she says. “In the shower, let the water run, and you can move your fingers in between the labia to get out any dried discharge, using a mild soap without a fragrance.”
- “Avoid using harsh soaps and any other chemicals in the vagina because those can be irritating.”
- “The research on probiotics is contradictory. You'll find some that say probiotics are helpful and others that say they aren't. But for people who continue to have chronic resonators or chronic symptoms like that, I always recommend that they try a probiotic and see if that helps, and they may find improvement in their symptoms.”
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
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Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
Looking for ways to level up your solo sex sessions or your partnered sex play? Entering the wonderful world of arousal oils might be exactly what the doctor ordered. As its name suggests, arousal oil arouses. And they might very well be the pleasurable vessel through which your mind-blowing orgasms can be beckoned. Specifically, arousal oils are a pleasure-enhancing sex lubricant intended to increase the sensitivity to your nipples, your vulva, or your clitoris, just to start.
With an ingredient list that can include the likes of CBD, ashwagandha, and essential oils, arousal oils act as an aphrodisiac in a bottle, maximizing intensity and heightening the levels of pleasure you feel, thereby making your climax that much more attainable.
Keep reading for our selection of some of the best arousal oils in the game right now.
Bloomi Luxe Arousal Oil
Described as a "sensual pleasure oil," the Luxe Arousal Oil by Bloomi is clean with plant-derived organic ingredients. With 2-4 pumps, a gentle massage with this oil-based intimacy oil is formulated to intensify pleasure to your clitoris, your vulva, your thighs, or anywhere else you care to use it, before and during the act.
Foria Awaken Arousal Oil
Not only do reviewers rave about the "incredible o's" from Awaken Arousal Oil, but this best-seller is also known for its sensuous aroma, slip, and feel. With the uncanny ability to enhance sensations, users of the product have reported reinvigorated orgasms and renewed sex lives. And all we have to say is, say less.
Mood Maker Pleasure-Enhancing Intimacy Oil for Couples
Amazon
The Mood Maker had us at hello. Christina Aguilera's sex oil is where luxury and intimacy meet. Thanks to the relaxation facilitated by magic mushrooms and pleasure-enhancing adaptogens, the Mood Maker lays the groundwork for easeful foreplay, sex, and even an encore. With its texture like silk and warm scent, the oil effortlessly sets the perfect mood for pleasure play and allows your body to follow suit.
Lure Deluxe Intimacy Oil
Sultry, clean, and moisturizing are the cornerstones of this intimacy oil. The oil is formulated with organic ingredients like MCT coconut oil and CBD, so there is no need to worry about throwing off your pH balance or leaving behind a sticky residue when using it for intimate moments. The silky texture provides a sensual slip that is all gas no brakes, creating a slip n' slide glide during partner play, as well as solo play.
Bonus points: since it's all-natural, it's also oral-friendly. So Deluxe Intimacy Oil is queening-approved.
Green Compass Intimacy Oil
Green Compass
Entice and awaken your pleasure and your senses with the Intimacy Oil by Green Compass. An intimacy oil made for every body, this oil is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and silicone-free and formulated with plant-based and organic ingredients. With ingredients like organic hemp flower extract, coconut oil, and jojoba oil, the pleasure felt and experienced in intimate areas becomes even more intense upon application.
FOCL CBD Arousal Oil
Loved by users for its "perfect texture," its "warm wonderful feeling," and the fact that it's "non-irritating," the CBD Arousal Oil by FOCL is definitely worthy of a spot in your tox boy. Like other CBD oils, the hemp-derived product is said to ease tension and promote blood flow, which are major keys to enhancing and maximizing your sexual pleasure.
Sensuva On Arousal Oil
Amazon
Looks like we saved the best for last. Available in Lite, Original, and Ultra to give you the ability to choose the intensity that suits your intimate moments best, the On Arousal Oil by Sensuva is said to be one of the most powerful arousal oils on the market with good reason. With a "unique, buzzing vibration sensation on the clitoris," in 1-2 drops, On Arousal delivers more sensation during sex, helps women achieve orgasms quicker and more intensely, and can also help curb any issues with vaginal dryness.
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