Women should never touch this place if it itches.

Some women find that they do not usually experience genital itching, but instead experience unbearable itching during their menstrual period, which returns to normal once the period is over. Could this be a sign of vulvitis? But why does it feel better after the menstrual period, but it itches again during the next menstrual period, over and over again?

Don't scratch it during menstruation

In fact, private itching during menstruation is mostly related to the environment. Just as a warm and humid environment makes it easy for mushrooms to grow, the damp and stuffy environment in the genitals can also make bacteria multiply rapidly. During menstruation, the private parts secrete a lot and are mostly in a moist state. If the sanitary napkin you choose is thick and is not changed often, the airtight environment, coupled with the relatively low resistance during menstruation, allows bacteria to multiply rapidly and cause local inflammation or vulvar itching. If at this time, women can't help scratching, or rub their vagina vigorously, wash it vigorously with soap, or scald it with hot water, it will not only fail to eliminate the root cause of the disease, but will also worsen the symptoms and make the itching more severe.

How to deal with menstrual itching

The best way to deal with vulvar itching during menstruation is not to scratch, scald or rub, but to keep the body clean and dry, such as using sanitary napkins with dry mesh and good breathability, and washing the vulva frequently to avoid itching and bacterial growth. Also make sure to choose clean sanitary napkins and change them frequently, and wash your hands before changing them.

In order to avoid poor ventilation, you should also avoid wearing tight clothes during menstruation. If the private parts are covered too tightly, the body odor will not be easy to dissipate. If it accumulates for a long time, the embarrassing smell will become stronger and stronger. The long-term closed state can easily cause vulvar itching.

It should be noted that when itching occurs, all rough behaviors should be prohibited, such as scratching. The correct approach should be to wash the area with warm water, replace the dirty sanitary napkin, put on pure cotton and breathable underwear, and try to keep it clean and dry. Also, be careful to avoid drinking alcohol or eating spicy food during menstruation. If the itching does not subside and is accompanied by other symptoms and feels abnormal, you should consider that it is caused by an internal disease and go to the gynecology department as soon as possible.

Cleaning during menstruation

Normally, a normal vagina contains many beneficial bacteria (such as lactic acid bacteria), which can maintain the pH value of the vagina between 3.8 and 4.2. Ordinary bacteria grow in an environment above pH 4.5. Therefore, maintaining a healthy pH value (3.8-4.2) helps protect the vagina and reduce bacterial infections.

However, during menstruation, the pH value of the private parts will be affected by changes in estrogen. This natural acidic protective function will weaken, the alkalinity will increase, and the ability to fight foreign bacteria will decrease, causing infection.

Tips:

Keep the vulva clean. Women can take a shower during their menstrual period, but should not take a tub bath or sit bath. Women who have difficulty taking a bath can use clean warm water, a basin and a towel to clean the vulva to avoid reproductive organ infection.

Drink plenty of water, keep bowel movements regular, and avoid sexual intercourse and swimming to prevent infection.

Q: If you want to maintain vaginal health, Western medicine says you can eat more cranberries and lactic acid bacteria. Does Chinese medicine have any other suggestions?

A: If an infection occurs in the female vagina, it will lead to the problem of "leucorrhea". Generally speaking, Western medicine says that eating more cranberries or lactic acid bacteria is effective.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, there are two common types of vaginal discharge. If the discharge is yellowish and has an odor, it indicates a damp-heat constitution; if the discharge is clear and thin, it indicates a damp-cold constitution. Women with heavy secretions can eat more foods that can eliminate water from the body, such as red beans, coix seeds, etc.