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Vulva Itching Worst at Night (Private Part): Causes, Treatment

By: Author Dr Akatakpo Dunn, MBBS, PG Dip Ultrasound, Prof Dip O&G (RCPI) Medical Director & Lead Obstetrician/Ultrasonologist, Verah Clinic & Maternity

Posted on Last updated:

Question: Why is vulva itching worst at night? Are there home remedies for itching of the private part?

For most women, itching of any part of the body, especially the private area, is due to irritation or infection. If you have itching down there and you are worried, you shouldn’t panic — but you also should not ignore it if it keeps coming back or is very severe.

First of all, vulvar itching is often not a serious medical issue, and it is possible that you do not have an infection. Women who use different products (detergents, creams, vaginal douching, perfumes, scented soaps) on their private part may irritate the vulva and cause itching. The vulva is the skin outside; the vagina (inside) usually does not need to be washed with soaps or chemicals. ACOG

Vaginal itching due to irritation of the vulva can easily be prevented. This means you have to be proactive and entirely avoid these products that make you feel uncomfortable down there.

Having said that, vulvar itching may be due to an underlying medical issue, and in some cases, you will need to see your doctor for urgent help.

Common causes of vulvar itching are yeast infection, sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, skin conditions of the vulva, hormone changes around menopause, stress (which can make you scratch more), and rarely, vulvar cancer. ACOG

Vaginal yeast infection is one of the common culprits why you feel an uncontrollable itching sensation at your private area. It is caused by excessive growth of fungi at your vagina and affects many women at least once in their lifetime. Office on Women’s Health

While yeast infection may readily be treated with over the counter medications, vaginal itching may be due to other serious health issues. Therefore, it’s best to see your doctor, especially if this is your first time, you are pregnant, or the itching keeps coming back.

You can read more about common causes of vaginal infections here from ACOG:
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/vaginitis ACOG

What to expect from your doctor?

While planning to inform your doctor of your itching, you must be ready to answer his or her questions. Here are some questions you will be asked.

  • When did you notice vaginal itching?

  • Is there any change in the color or smell of your vaginal discharge?

  • Do you use irritant products like perfumes, sprays or wash your vagina with a douche?

  • Do you have multiple sexual partners or new partners?

  • Is there any change to the surrounding vaginal skin (rash, white patches, sores)?

  • Do you have pain in your lower abdomen?

  • Any fever, body weakness, vomiting, and back pain?

  • Do you feel pain while urinating or during sex?

This article explains causes of vulva itching, home remedies, and prevention tips.

Why is vulva itching worst at night?

If you are experiencing mild, moderate or severe itching of your vulva area, you may notice it feels worst at night. There are a few reasons for this:

  • At night you are lying still, with fewer distractions, so you notice the itching more.

  • Warmth, sweat and tight underwear or sleepwear can make irritated skin itch more.

  • Some people release more histamine (the chemical involved in itching and allergies) later in the day, which can make itching feel worse at night.

Even if the itching seems to be “only at night”, it is still important to look for the real cause and treat it properly.

What causes vulva itching worst at night?

If you are experiencing mild, moderate or severe itching of your vulva area, here are the main reasons it’s happening.

1. Yeast infection

Yeast infection is caused by fungi called Candida albicans and naturally cohabits with other organisms in your vagina. If there is any change in vaginal balance and overgrowth of fungi, it causes a yeast infection. CDC

Fungi overgrowth can happen after taking broad-spectrum antibiotics. Other risk factors are birth control pill, pregnancy, vaginal douching, use of vaginal irritants and women who already have a weakened immune system (diabetes, HIV infection).

If you have a yeast infection, vaginal itching is a common symptom. Other symptoms are vaginal soreness, redness, and burning sensation at the vulva. You may also feel pain while urinating with a thick, clumpy, “cottage-cheese” type vaginal discharge.

What can I do for a yeast infection?

Uncomplicated yeast infection can be treated with over the counter antifungal medications (creams or vaginal tablets). Drugs include clotrimazole or other azole creams, and sometimes oral fluconazole. CDC

Taking medications on your own is never recommended especially during pregnancy. Please talk to your OB/GYN for safe medication. For example, oral fluconazole is generally avoided in pregnancy unless specifically prescribed by your doctor, and topical treatments are usually preferred. Office on Women’s Health

You can read more about vaginal yeast infections here:
https://womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/vaginal-yeast-infections Office on Women’s Health

2. Skin irritants

Like already mentioned, using vaginal sprays or other products inside or outside your vagina can cause itching. These irritants cause allergic or irritant reactions that make you want to scratch down there. ACOG

Avoiding vaginal creams (unless prescribed), bubble baths, vaginal douching, scented tissue paper, panty liners every day, or topically applied contraceptives will prevent itching for many women. Wash the vulva with lukewarm water and, if needed, a very mild, unscented cleanser only on the outside.

Douching is not recommended because it upsets the normal vaginal balance and increases your risk of infections and pelvic inflammatory disease. WebMD

3. Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis can cause itching of the private part. This happens if there is an imbalance of organisms in your vagina.

Bacteria cells, Lactobacillus, are the “good” bacteria in the vagina and help protect against infections. If these bacteria are reduced and other bacteria overgrow, it allows infection to occur. CDC

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are:

You can read more about BV here from the CDC and WHO:
https://www.cdc.gov/bacterial-vaginosis/about/index.html CDC

4. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

If you’ve had unprotected sexual intercourse, especially with multiple partners or a new partner, there is a chance your itching is due to sexually transmitted infections. Common STDs are chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Peoria City/County Health Department+1

What are STD symptoms?

If you have sexually transmitted infections, you may or may not have symptoms. In fact, many men and women with STDs are asymptomatic and can still transmit the infection to you.

If you have any of the below-listed symptoms, it is likely you already have an STD:

  • Pain while urinating

  • Back and lower belly tenderness

  • Abnormally green, yellow or foul smelling discharge

  • Pain during sexual activity

  • Spotting in between your periods

  • Heavy bleeding during menstruation

  • Anal itching and sore

  • Fever

  • Blister, sore, or rash around your vulva

What can I do for STDs?

If you have symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, talk to your doctor immediately. Your doctor will carefully examine you, request a vaginal examination and some investigations.

You may also need to do blood and urine tests, vaginal swabs, and sometimes an HIV test. Treatment involves the use of antibiotics or antivirals depending on the infection.

For more on one common STD (trichomoniasis), see:
https://www.cdc.gov/trichomoniasis/about/index.html CDC

5. Menopausal vaginal changes

Another reason you could have vulva itching, especially in women over 40 and 50 years, is hormone fluctuations.

Here’s the thing; your vagina and vulva are partly controlled by estrogen. During your reproductive years, your body produces high levels of estrogen that keeps your vagina wet and moist, preventing dryness and itching.

As you grow older, and after menopause, estrogen level drops resulting in vaginal dryness and thinning of the tissues. This is called genitourinary syndrome of menopause (vaginal atrophy) and can make you have vaginal itching, burning, and pain with sex. Cleveland Clinic

Your doctor may recommend vaginal moisturizers, lubricants, or low-dose vaginal estrogen to help with these symptoms, especially if simple measures are not enough. ACOG

Home remedies for private part itching

If you are experiencing itching at your private part, it’s best to see your doctor. However, you can try these simple home care tips that may help reduce itching while you arrange to be seen.

Important: Avoid putting strong substances (vinegar, garlic, undiluted essential oils, bleach, antiseptics) inside your vagina or directly on the vulva. These can burn or irritate the skin and make the problem worse. Verywell Health

1. Avoid vaginal irritants

Using vaginal irritants (detergents, creams, vaginal douching, perfumes, scented soaps) in your vagina is unhealthy and predisposes you to an infection. If you also wash the inside of your vagina with soap, it’s time to stop.

Gently wash the vulva with lukewarm water and pat dry. Let the vagina clean itself from inside.

2. Keep your vagina area dry

After taking your bath, you can dry your vagina area with a clean towel. Avoid use of synthetic panties too as they can make you sweaty down there.

It’s advised to use cotton panties, take your bathe twice daily if you are sweating a lot, and regularly change your panties too. Change out of wet clothes or gym wear as soon as you can.

3. Do protective intercourse

Having unprotected intercourse predisposes you to an STD and to bacterial vaginosis. Talk to your partner, and regularly practice safe intercourse by always using a condom, especially with new or multiple partners.

4. Don’t scratch back

Vaginal itching may sometimes make you restless and uncomfortable. If you feel the itching is intense, you need to control your urge to scratch back. This worsens your symptoms altogether and can make the skin thicker and more itchy over time.

Cold compresses (a clean cool cloth on the outside of the vulva) may give short-term relief.

5. Use antihistamines (with care)

Antihistamines can sometimes help you feel better if the itching is due to an allergy or if you need help sleeping at night because of the itch. However, they do not treat the underlying infection, and many can make you drowsy.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on other drugs.

6. Apple cider vinegar – what you should know

Vulva itching due to fungi and bacterial infections is sometimes discussed online together with apple cider vinegar as a “natural cure”. However, putting apple cider vinegar directly in your vagina or using an ACV-soaked tampon is not recommended. It can irritate or burn the delicate vaginal tissues and may even increase your risk of infection by upsetting the pH balance. Verywell Health

If you like apple cider vinegar, keep it for your salad — not your vagina.

7. Boric acid – only with medical guidance

Boric acid vaginal suppositories may help in recurrent yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis when standard treatments fail, but they should only be used under a doctor’s supervision. PMC

  • Boric acid is toxic if swallowed, must be kept away from children, and is not safe in pregnancy.

  • Do not make your own boric acid mixtures at home.

  • Always follow your doctor’s advice on dose and duration.

8. Try oral yoghurt / probiotics (as a supplement, not a cure)

Lactobacilli-rich yogurt and probiotic foods may support the “good” bacteria in your gut and vagina. However, the evidence that they alone can cure a vaginal infection is limited. NCBI

You can eat plain yogurt with live cultures or take probiotic tablets as part of a healthy diet, but do not rely on this as your only treatment if you have strong symptoms. Do not insert yogurt into your vagina.

9. Garlic – not in the vagina

Garlic has some antibacterial and antifungal properties, and many women read online that they should insert a clove of garlic into the vagina for yeast infection. However, there is no good scientific evidence that this works, and gynecologists warn that it can irritate or burn the vaginal tissue and may even increase the risk of other problems. Scientific American

If you enjoy garlic in your food, that is fine and may have general health benefits. But please do not put garlic or other strong substances into your vagina to treat itching.

For more general information on vulvar and vaginal health from ACOG, see:
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/vulvovaginal-health ACOG