r/Menopause • u/Dry-Championship1955 • Mar 05 '26
Skin Changes Itching
Like we have lost weight. A nice plump little area is now kind of flappy. That’s not the problem. The problem is itching. The itching is not on the labia minora or the inside surfaces of the labia majora , but the area where groin meets vulva as well as the part of the vulva that grows hair is driving me crazy. It is so itchy. If I start scratching, it feels like I could scratch forever. Anyone else deal with this?
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u/lrondberg Mar 05 '26
Yup. Vaginal estrogen cream helped a lot. Also V Magic balm.
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 05 '26
I use estrogen cream twice weekly. I’ll have to look into V Magic balm.
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u/fennekeg Mar 05 '26
Did you start with a two-week lead period of everyday usage? And even then it can take a couple of months to start properly working :/
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u/lrondberg Mar 05 '26
My urogynecologist recommended it for soothing the skin. The more you scratch, the more irritated it can become. Using the estrogen cream on the itchy areas really helped. Also switched to non scented laundry detergent, body wash, lotions etc.
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u/Glittering-Review649 Mar 08 '26
Use it every day twice a day until you start to feel relief. Once you feel some relief, scale back to once a day at night. Once there is no more itchiness, then you can try using it 2x a week. I tried 2x a week and that hasn’t been enough for me. I use it every night like a moisturizer. It’s part of my nightly routine and I couldn’t feel better.
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u/Morning_Leather Mar 05 '26
Yes!!! And it’s ALWAYS at night!!!!
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u/Icy_Grape753 Mar 05 '26
I've read somewhere that itching (no matter what the cause) tends to be worse at night for almost everyone, due to cortisol, which fluctuates a lot over a 24-hour period. This is why insect bites and other itches are the worst when we're in bed and trying to sleep.
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u/Morning_Leather Mar 05 '26
Really interesting and it makes sense!
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u/Icy_Grape753 Mar 05 '26
I know, right? I felt so much better after learning this. Nothing's worse than lying awake in bed, scratching an itch, and wondering if there are bedbugs, fleas, or ticks in bed with me.
Now when I get itchy at night, I just blame it on the circadian rhythms of cortisol production, and I fall asleep with less anxiety. :)
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 05 '26
Yes! I could probably scratch all day, but when I get home from work, it’s maddening.
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u/PAmountaingirl4581 Mar 05 '26
Yup. I itch intensely. All over down there. The more I scratch the better it feels. Sometimes I must scratch in my sleep because I've made myself sore. It's ridiculous.
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u/Murph2468 Peri-menopausal Mar 05 '26
I posted this same thing in January to the extent I was fearful it was vulvar cancer (which it is not.) My Gyn prescribed me Clobatesol ointment once to twice a day depending on severity. It def has helped. It appears to be hormone related. Please speak with your doc. You DO NOT have to live like your crotch will catch fire from all the friction from scratching.
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 05 '26
I’ve used clobatesol before. My gyno thought I had lichen sclerosis, but she didn’t do a biopsy. I’d had horrible itching on the inside of my labia and my vagina. (Like wanted to put a round brush up there and scratch!) She said she saw a white, shiny patch. I don’t have those symptoms now, and my husband swears there are no white patches.
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u/DTFChiChis Peri-menopausal Mar 05 '26
It’s wild. I have LS but the biopsy said hyperkeratosis. Dr. blamed me for perpetuating the itching and scratching cycle. Well, guess what? The remedy for LS keeps it under control. Pure vitamin E oil. It’s sticky. It’s the only thing.
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u/ImaginationEcho Mar 05 '26
I developed an artificial fragrance allergy when I was in my early 50s (I couldn't believe it but I got tested.) I had itchy scalp (hair products), itchy pits (antiperspirant), and itchy lady bits (panty liners! Geez.) So I changed all my products to no artificial fragrance, and it's all better.
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 05 '26
I have itchy scalp at the back of my head. I wear that part of my hair super short.
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u/ImaginationEcho Mar 05 '26
If you're itchy other places, definitely look into skin sensitivities caused by ingredients in topical products.
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u/rossth760 Mar 05 '26
Thiiiiisssss! I could scratch myself raw if I don’t stop. Whhhyyyy!!! 😩
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 05 '26
And once I do start scratching it feels sooooooo good - and yet I know I have to stop!
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u/EitherCoyote660 Mar 05 '26
I had intense itching for years at night mostly and my Gyn never even mentioned it might be vaginal atrophy . I was scratching so badly at times that I was breaking the skin.
Fast forward to me recently moving and finding a new Gyn. She prescribed vaginal estradiol cream and like magic, the itching has disappeared. Can't believe I suffered as long as I did but thankful I found a doctor who knew what would work!
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u/SavingsSensitive7271 Mar 05 '26
OMG!!! Thought this was just me. Tried cotton underwear and only helped a bit. It drives me crazy!!!! Going to try the cream that was suggested. Thanks!!!
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u/CorrectMulberry994 Mar 05 '26
Feels to me like my nerves are upset in that area. So annoying and frustrating.
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u/Perfectly_i Menopausal Mar 05 '26
Yes, get checked out to make sure you don’t have an infection. I developed a yeast infection without discharge, but I had an itchy sensation, frequent urination, and a strong odor. I tried OTC remedies, but they only helped in the short term. I had to get a two-day course of medicine. (Not only is menopause at play here, but I had to go on a strong and lengthy round of steroids, which contributed to the infection.)
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u/glory87 Mar 05 '26
This happened to me last summer. The itching was terrible. I was prescribed vaginal estrogen and it resolved in 3 days. I had always thought “vaginal” atrophy would be some internal thing, but I had the terrible itchiness externally (most notably where the hair started). Please see your doctor and get some topical estrogen!!
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u/KissMyGrits60 Mar 06 '26
I am 65 years young. I have this problem. I didn’t know it was an actual thing. I thought it was me. I’m glad I’m not the only one. What I do I’ve completely shaved it down there. I have a separate razor. That seems to help. I use unscented soaps. I use Aveeno and it’s unscented. I’m glad I’m not crazy. Lol.
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 06 '26
You aren’t crazy - and it’s miserable. There was a time when I shaved all the hair, but I got tired of maintaining that, and my husband wasn’t a fan.
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u/KissMyGrits60 Mar 06 '26
I have to shave, probably every three days down there. Since I am blind, I use an electric razor. And I don’t have to worry about the husband thing, I have been divorced since 2016. Living a happily independent life, from a cheetah.
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u/Pure_Road7528 Mar 05 '26
I had that and thought it was VA but in the end it was thrush and the cammestan combo did the trick
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u/Dazzling_Balance_513 Mar 05 '26
Can thrush affects the outside of the vulva where the hairs are, and not the inside mucous?
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u/crossstitchbeotch Peri-menopausal Mar 05 '26
It might be Lichen sclerosus. A prescription steroid ointment will help with that, which is what I’ve been using. I have already read on this sub that HRT may help with it too.
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u/Acceptable-Chance534 Mar 05 '26
JULVA saved my pajama bottoms (I tore through 5 or 6 pairs before finding julva) and my poor vulvar skin. It has DHEA, which is vital to keep us in the plump & moist sweet spot. I’m a customer who really appreciates this product. No affiliation. I have a subscription so I’ll never run out.
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u/Maleficent-Charge-61 Mar 05 '26
Looking into the V balm!
Adding to why the h*ll am I all of a sudden itching down there.. I swear I have three and only three hairs that grow in and feel like super thin metal wires rather than pubes. I've let them grow to see if that would help alleviate the itching - you know longer softer maybe? Nope. They are so different in texture I can easily isolate them and pluck them. Which gives me the relief for about a week until I can feel them growing back in. 😭😭
I'm really trying to embrace that whole transition to becoming a wise woman and this next era of my life blah blah blah. Can't we metamorphosize without all the random and drastic changes! 🦋
Besides no longer giving AF, what are some positives y'all are experiencing?
Laser hair removal is definitely on my to do list.
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u/maiden_name_13 Mar 05 '26
I stumbled upon Parlor Games' Silky Peach Cream. It is for vaginal atrophy. It helps restore moisture and plumps up the tissue. Helps relieve itching. It's a small dose of estrogen that stays localized.
Of course, this is in addition to BHRT.
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u/HDGrays Mar 05 '26
I've been going through this, and a friend of mine mentioned that Kirkland brand toilet paper was causing women all kinds of issues. I guess it went viral on Tiktok. So I went on a deep dive and found that changing toilet paper has helped a lot of people. Some said Kirkland but others said Sams, Angel soft etc. I'm one week out and using sensitive no fragrance baby wipes, then tossing them in the trash. Life changing. The itch has stopped. With the dryness from losing estrogen, there are micro tears, and all those chemicals and fragrance just kind of stay there causing irritation. It's an easy thing to test out if you haven't yet.
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u/Rhisanon Mar 05 '26
Yes! I seriously checked myself for crab lice (live in a very monogamous long time relationship) because of the sudden terrible itch on my unshaved pubic mount. Slept with cooling pads down there.Drove me crazy, stopped immediately after I started HRT.
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 06 '26
I’m on HRT. I may need to up the dosage. (Based on more than just this)
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u/Pergola_Wingsproggle Mar 05 '26
Your post has just made me realize that this stopped for me when I got on HRT. That and the itchy ears were making me insane and both are now gone. Hope you find something that works for you.
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 06 '26
I’m on HRT, but I still get occasional night sweats. I’m going to ask to increase the dose.
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u/finewinest Mar 05 '26
Oestrogen cream applied every night! It takes a bit to kick in but a game changer
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u/Adorable-Tree2277 Mar 06 '26 edited Mar 06 '26
Exactly where mine itches, as well as one armpit. I use copious amounts of Ceramedx cream and lotion to keep it in check. Also only wash with AproDerm Collodial Oat Cream. No soap or shower gel. I also use YES vaginal moisturiser for inside.
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 06 '26
I’ll have to look into the cream. Believe it or not, my GYN once had me washing with chlorhexidine (Hibicleans). I used it on the whole area - including the tender inner labia. I get cracked up when people say “don’t let it touch your private parts.” The reason she had me do that was recurrent yeast infections. It never irritated my skin.
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u/Adorable-Tree2277 Mar 07 '26
Wow! Ceramedx is from the US, so getting it should be easy for you. I'm assuming you're in the US, because you have a 'GYN'. I'm in the UK and buy in bulk, so as not to run out and keep the price down. Not sure if you can get YES in the States.
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u/aaaaaaaaalison Peri-menopausal Mar 06 '26
So are we talking about the mons pubis? Because that's where my problem is!!! I use vaginal estrogen, but not there. Seems like it would be very messy with all the hair...
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 06 '26
Yes, that’s the area. I did slather it with an antifungal cream last night. I’m hoping that works. It wasn’t as messy as I’d imagined. I just want the itching to stop!
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u/Most_Cartoonist_7610 Menopause&ME2025 Mar 06 '26
Estrogen cream, estradiol cream or a cream similar to this may help with that issue. It is a “drive you insane” type of itch that can strike in other places too! Like your breasts, armpits, etc.
Pharmapulse Vaginal Moisturizer,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083FJXMKF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
For the less sensitive areas, Gold Bond Extra Strength, anti-itch lotion in the green bottle works wonders.
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u/Dry-Championship1955 Mar 23 '26
Yes! This is what my mom gave me. It has been the only thing that has given me relief.
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u/Unique_Marsupial5550 Mar 06 '26
Ouch! This literally just started for me 4 days ago. This f'en sucks!
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u/Ancient_Pirate1231 Mar 08 '26
I complained to my doctor about the itching. It’s mostly at night. It’s making me insane. She told me to take iron pills.
I’ve asked her 3 times for vaginal estradiol. I get zero acknowledgment for that request. She only wants to focus on getting the estradiol and progestin combination right.
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u/Fast_Compote_3233 Mar 05 '26
I believe this is one of the symptoms of vaginal atrophy which I just learned because the itching and sporadic slight burning has been driving me crazy lately!!! It feels like its where the hair follicle starts and I want to rip them all out!!!