I get a prickling itching sensation in my genital area once or twice a year. For the past two weeks, it has been at times intense. I told my PCP about it, and he prescribed Spectazole cream to be used twice a day. It helps for awhile, but certainly not enough to be used only twice a day. He said it sounds like a fungal infection.

I've been using it three times a day. I am also using Aloe gel, which burns for awhile and then it helps.

Has anyone or does anyone else have this?

I have an appointment with my GYN the week after next. Hopefully, I can hold on until then because I really and truly don't want to be examined by my PCP. I like him, have gone to him for four years, but I just don't want to lay exposed on a table in front of him if you know what I mean.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

The most common cause for feminine itching and burning is a yeast (fungal) infection, and is commonly known as thrush. To name just a few .... some medications (ie antibiotics or use of hormones), diabetes, poor diet, alcohol, and immunosuppression from illness or medications, can all cause thrush. It's also common in summer months due to overheating and clothing that doesn't allow adequate ventillation.

The second most common is vulvar dermatitis which tends to be caused by an external irritant of some kind. The vulvae are sensitive to temperature, sanitary products, soaps, powders, detergents, fabric softeners, spermicides, colored or scented toilet paper, and man made fibres used frequently in underwear. Treatment in this case is identifying and getting rid of the cause.

Psoriasis can affect the vulval area, and menopausal women are prone to a condition called Atrophic Vaginitis. This one is caused by thinning of the vaginal walls because of decreased oestrogen production in the body. Hormone creams and or pessaries are usually successful in treating this condition.

Bacterial infections can also cause the symptoms that you mention, but to diagnose those, an examination would be necessary.

I hope this has helped a bit.

I agree with Koala about irritants! You have to be very careful with soaps. I use baby shampoo to do the groin area now that I am older, a tiny smidge too. Lots of rinsing. If you shower and use shampoo on your head, it can sneak down there and leave a residue and burn like the devil if not rinsed off well.

Over cleaning is just as bad as undercleaning IMO, when we get old.

If you get an irritation try making a cold compress on a towel, using hydrogen peroxide and just hold it there. I find this fixes any temp problem very quickly for me. This will kill off any organisms that happen to be there during the irritating time. I discovered this on vacation where we don't have running water and hygiene can be challenging. And don't be tricked into things like Tucks or other fancy wipes...the witch hazel in them can be very irritating to some people.
If it is very hot where you are, and you perspire alot, I'd get a panty liner for those times. Sweat is not comfortable either!

The new Charmin is terrible --and leaves residue down there.
I have found that Angel Soft much better, in this regard.

Seems this problem is not discussed often by women...it is always hot flashes, etc. But the membranes down there do get very sensitive and are more easily irritated as we age.

This thread at PD discusses a neat thing you can attach to your toilet... The Biffy:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...hlight=hygiene
I am thinking about it myself. (it is like a Bidet, but less expensive).

Your post helped quite a bit, thanks Koala. I am on Premarin cream (since January) because of the thinning tissue in my vaginal area. It has definitely helped.

I've also tried Monistat during this episode, even though the itching isn't internal.

It will be good to see my GYN and have her check me out.

Thanks so much mrsD. I use baby shampoo on my hair, but will also now use it on my other hair area.

I'll also look into the Biffy, although I have a Shower Massage that detaches and I can get the area rinsed pretty good with that.