"I have vaginal itching and dryness since I started taking the pill – could the pill be causing it?"
Vaginal itching or dryness could unfortunately be caused by a lot of different things.
Hormonal birth control has not been shown to cause infections, but for some women, it can change the pH balance of the vagina and make them more prone to overgrowth of yeast or Bacterial Vaginosis (BV.) Both of which can cause dryness, irritation and itching.
The first step should be treating any infection you may have, and then combating the dryness you have with a personal lubricant until you are healed. We strongly recommend you schedule appointment so we can determine if you need treatment for a yeast infection or BV. Most yeast infections will require an anti-fungal medication (oral or vaginal) and BV infections will require an antibiotic.
If you are prone to yeast infections while taking birth control, it is likely this will improve after you have been on it for a while when your body has had a chance to adjust to the hormones. There are some ways you can try and prevent recurrent yeast infections too:
- Consume more probiotics
- Wear cotton underwear
- Stay away from scented feminine hygiene products and soaps
- Do not douche
- Sleep more
- Eat a health diet
When women feel confident in their birth control and are in an STD-free relationship, sexual activity may involve male ejaculation into the vagina. Semen can alter the pH of the vagina and increase the risk of acute vaginitis. We recommend urinating after intercourse and then rinsing all ejaculate out of the vagina with plain water.
If you continue to suffer from yeast infections while on birth control pills, you can also consider switching to a birth control that doesn’t contain estrogen. Some estrogen-free options include:
- Progestin-Only “Mini” Pills
- Mirena or Kyleena IUD (Progestin Only)
- Paragard IUD (Completely hormone free)
- Nexplanon Implant (Progestin Only)
If you are ready to make the switch from birth control and/or have further questions make an appointment with us to discuss all your options.
We are proud to offer Telehealth visits so that you may consult with a provider from the safety and comfort of your home! Visit www.fpawomenshealth.com and book a Telehealth appointment on-line today if you have any additional questions.
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