Why Am I SO Itchy?!

Itching can be caused by a variety of things, so let's take a look at each:

Healing - for some women, healing comes with extreme itching, and when that is your vulva and clitoris... well it can drive you completely mad. Unfortunately, there is not much to do about this aside from letting healing occur. What we can recommend is applying further out (think outer labia, mons pubis, or thigh crease), perhaps using Boric Acid to help the vaginal pH, and simply giving things time to heal.

Vaginal Atrophy - Vaginal atrophy causes itching, plain and simple. Whilst healing might be what is going on, the other thing to remember is that, itching is symptomatic of vaginal atrophy. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of vaginal tissues. When estrogen levels drop, particularly during menopause, it can lead to a condition called vaginal atrophy. This condition involves a thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to decreased estrogen. The reduction in estrogen affects the vaginal tissue's ability to stay moist and maintain its elasticity. This can lead to a decrease in natural lubrication and an increase in pH levels, making the vaginal area more susceptible to irritation, dryness, and inflammation. As a result, the delicate skin in the vaginal area becomes more fragile and sensitive. Itching can occur due to the dryness and thinning of the vaginal walls, making them more prone to irritation from friction, clothing, or even everyday activities, causing discomfort and itching sensations.

Allergic Reaction - Although rare, some people do have a reaction to Silky Peach. In this case, we recommend applying to the inner wrist. If there is still inflammation, then you may well have an allergy and should discontinue usage.

Lichen Sclerosus - Lichen sclerosus (or sclerosis, or LS) is a rare skin disease that causes itchy and painful patches of thin, white, wrinkled-looking skin. In women, these may occur on the vulva and/or the skin around the anus. In men, it typically affects the head of the penis. However, this condition typically occurs primarily in girls who haven't started menstruating and in postmenopausal women. Lichen sclerosus can cause discomfort, itching, and easy bruising or tearing of the skin. Some women experience the labia 'fusing' or disappearing altogether, as well as significant clitoral and vaginal atrophy that seems to occur concurrently. Many women who have LS report extreme itching as a symptom. We've written in depth about this on our Lichen Sclerosus blog post.

But what else might play a role in your vaginal itching?

You Might Be Part of the Problem...

No one wants to hear this... but healing takes time, and you might have 'too many cooks in the kitchen'. If you are using ten different products, not only is it expensive and hard to tell what works, but it may be that they are actually causing irritation - and the ingredients may not work well together between all those different products.

Plus, it isn't just vaginal creams you have to think about - thinks like laundry detergent, soap, underwear material, sex products (lube, and yes - semen), and toilet paper, can all be causal factors. The fun doesn't stop there though - there is also things like diet, hydration, and lifestyle choices, as well as unrelated medications that can all contribute to issues such as itching and dryness.

We've written at length about these issues in our Vaginal Variables Blog, and we recommend reading this for the next steps if you are struggling with extreme itching!

I've Heard About the Histamine Response

Think of histamine as a messenger in your body. When something irritates your skin, like an allergy or a bug bite, special cells in your body release histamine to help deal with it. Histamine rushes to the irritated spot and makes tiny blood vessels leaky, allowing helpful things to get there quickly to fix the problem. But sometimes, too much histamine gets released or stays around longer than needed, causing more blood flow and making nerves in your skin feel itchy. So, the histamine response is like a helpful friend that sometimes gets a bit too enthusiastic, making your skin itchy when it's not really necessary.

Is this the case for some women? Perhaps, but it is more likely to be some of the other culprits we've mentioned so far!

My Friend Told Me {THIS} Could Help...

There are a lot of different remedies that have popped up that are aimed to help both menopause, and vaginal dryness, from eating more soy to taking black cohosh, it can get confusing to address what remedies might actually help, so we did it for you.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Some believe that apple cider vinegar, when diluted properly, might help restore vaginal pH balance due to its acidic nature. Balancing pH levels could potentially alleviate symptoms of dryness and discomfort.
• Boric Acid: This compound has been used as a suppository to restore the natural acidity of the vagina. It may help reduce irritation and discomfort caused by vaginal atrophy and dryness. This can be great if you struggle with yeast infections or issues after sex - semen has a more alkaline pH and can disrupt the vaginal microbiome.
• Colloidal Silver: Known for its antimicrobial properties, colloidal silver could potentially help fight off infections that may contribute to vaginal discomfort. However, caution and proper consultation are advised due to concerns about its safety and effectiveness. Whilst many women use this topically, we would err on the side of caution and avoid it - if you're looking for antimicrobial care, we would recommend this perineal spray.
• Olive Oil: Rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, olive oil might provide lubrication and moisturization when applied externally to the vaginal area. However, it's essential to ensure purity and avoid introducing potential irritants.
• Slippery Elm: This herb is known for its mucilage content, which forms a gel-like substance when mixed with water. It might help soothe vaginal tissues and provide relief from dryness and irritation when used in a diluted form. There are now both suppository and oral supplements, and slippery elm does hold up to research suggesting that it can help with VA!
• Key-E: Often referring to vitamin E supplements, these capsules or oils may offer moisturizing benefits when applied topically or inserted to the vaginal area. Vitamin E is known for its skin-nourishing properties. If you are struggling with extreme dryness and itching, this can work well alongside Silky Peach.
• Coconut Oil: Like olive oil, coconut oil is a natural emollient and might offer external lubrication and moisture to the vaginal area. Some people find it helpful for alleviating dryness.
• Estriol: This is a form of estrogen that can be prescribed by a healthcare provider for vaginal atrophy. It helps by replenishing estrogen levels in the vaginal tissues, potentially reducing dryness and discomfort associated with menopause or hormonal changes.

To learn more about non-hormonal options, check out our Non-Hormonal Help Blog!

Can I Use These With Silky Peach?

Many of these can be safely used alongside Silky Peach - however, as we mentioned, it can be a good idea to narrow down what you are using as much as possible initially. We recommend trying Silky Peach for about ten days solo to get a sense of whether you have healing, need to adjust dose, and to allow your vaginal and vulva cells time to adjust and begin the repair process.