Vaginal itching according to Chinese Medicine

Vaginal and vulvar itching under this pattern is more commonly seen in older women, while Spleen Deficiency and Damp Heat in the Liver Meridian, the two other patterns causing vaginal itching, are more common among younger ones. Also with this pattern the itchiness is less intense. 

The Organ involved here are the Liver and the Kidneys. It is because the Liver Channel goes around the Uterus and the Kidneys control the two lower orifices. Yin Deficiency of these two Organs cause Dryness, which stirs the Internal Wind and results in itchiness. Prolonged overwork without proper rest is the major reason for Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency. 

The treatment principle is to nourish Liver and Kidney Yin as well as clear Empty-Heat.

Read more about Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency here

Dampness as an External Evil with or without Heat, is undoubtedly the foremost reason for vaginal and vulvar itching. From a Western medicine point of view this pattern translates to trichomonas or candida infection.

The Dampness gets combined with Heat blocking the Liver Channel and other connecting Channel such the Spleen one. The Heat finds its origin in emotional stress such as anger, frustration, resentment, or sadness which cause Liver Qi Stagnation. If it is not treated for a while, the Stagnation creates Heat which then combines with the External Dampness. The Damp-Heat penetrates the Uterus and harm the Directing and Girdle Vessels, which is what triggers the itching.

The treatment principle is to clear Liver Heat, drain Dampness, kill parasites and stop itching. Please be aware that herbal formulas may take a long time (weeks or even months) to solve the itching problem. It is often suggested to add herbal ointments to improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Some herbs such as Chinese Gentian, Phellodendron bark, Black atractylodes rhizomes or Sophora root are recommended for the ointments. 

Read more about Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel here

Dampness is the most common reason for vaginal and vulvar itching. Dampness can find its origins Externally or Internally, the latter being the case for this pattern. What causes the Dampness here is Spleen Qi Deficiency. The Spleen is responsible for transforming and transporting Body Fluids. An impaired Spleen function can therefore lead to an accumulation of Dampness in the Lower Burner which then gets sent to the Uterus and causes itching. 

Excessive physical work or too much sport can harm the Spleen and cause Spleen Qi Deficiency. Other than that, an unbalanced diet is also a major reason for Dampness, such as eating irregularly or an over consumption of raw, slimy, cold, greasy or dairy foods. 

The treatment principle is to drain Dampness, kill parasites and tonify the Spleen.  It is also recommend to add herbal ointments to improve the effectiveness of the treatment with some herbs such as Chinese Gentian, Phellodendron bark, Black atractylodes rhizomes or Sophora root.

Read more about Spleen Deficiency with Dampness here