Genital itch

What causes it?

One of the most common causes of an itch around the vagina and the soft skin outside the vagina (the vulva) is thrush.

Other causes of genital itch include:

• Trichomoniasis
• Pubic lice
• Scabies
• Herpes simplex virus (more often painful but may be itchy)
• non-infectious skin diseases such as dermatitis or a reaction to some new product or soap used.

Itchy rashes in the groin are extremely common in Australia, especially in men. These are usually due to fungal infections caused by the same fungi that produce athlete’s foot and ring worm, and are hardly ever caused by sexually transmitted infections.

What to do

For advice, see your local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic. Identifying the cause of the itch will ensure correct treatment.

More info

• Read a detailed fact sheet about thrush (candidiasis)
• Find out more about sexually transmitted infections