What Causes Itching And Burning In The Vaginal Area?

Posted on Fri, 20 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 Answered on

Wed, 9 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : 93yr lady has itching and burning in the vagina area basically onky at night since she was operated on 3yrs ago for colon cancer. been to all drs. and no relief

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ATROPHIC VAGINITIS MOST LIKELY

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
She is most likely to have atrophic vaginitis.
This is a condition where the local vaginal mucosa dries out due to deficiency of estrogen, and then it becomes easily prone to breakage, itching etc.
The treatment is topical estrogen creams.
The diagnosis has to be confirmed by a gynaecologist with a per speculum and per vaginum examination.
Also, lubricants may help if she is sexually active, otherwise they are not required.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 hours later)

thanks for answering. do you think using an estrogen cream. especially after having colon cancer twice, cause her to develop cancer again, maybe breast?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
AS BELOW

Detailed Answer:
If nothing relieves her, estrogen locally is a good option.
There is very less chance of cancers, maybe the following link will reassure you -
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/medicaltreatments/menopausal-hormone-replacement-therapy-and-cancer-risk
HOpe that helped.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar