Why does itching appear before your period and what to do?

Perhaps most women can complain of varying degrees of discomfort before the start of a new monthly cycle. For some, it is manifested by increased irritability and fatigue, for others - abdominal pain and intestinal disorders. Less common are complaints of itching before menstruation: unpleasant sensations sometimes occur in the area of the external genitalia, or even throughout the body. Such a symptom is alarming: what is it - the norm or a disease?

Can there be itching before my period?

In some cases, the female body tries to indicate the existence of a particular problem by uncharacteristic symptoms. For example, there may be itching before menstruation - inside the vagina, or on the external genitalia. Indeed, this happens, and this sign should not be ignored.

The reasons for this phenomenon can be many: we will talk about this further. One thing is clear, it is necessary to visit the doctor. Often women think: if there are no other symptoms, then a little itching before menstruation can be considered a variant of the norm, or one of the manifestations of allergies or traces of stress. Is it so that itching before periods is normal?

If the unpleasant symptom occurs systematically and does not disappear for three or four cycles, then you should draw the appropriate conclusions and still visit a doctor. After all, the causes of the problem are not always harmless or do not require treatment, but can aggravate the situation and greatly harm health. It is good if unpleasant itching sensations disappeared by themselves, just as they appeared. If it did not, then you need to look for the original cause of the problem.

Causes of the itching before your period

From all of the above, it becomes clear that there are many reasons for the appearance of itching before periods, and all of them should be taken into account before making a diagnosis.

• Molluscum contagiosum, or candidiasis, is a fungal infection that first of all manifests itself by itching, as well as the appearance of characteristic curdy vaginal discharge. Such itching can bother both before menstruation and during and after sexual intercourse. [1]
• Hormonal disorders are a disorder that many women simply do not think about. In fact, the hormonal influence can be quite strong and is manifested by a variety of symptoms, including itching. In the second phase of the monthly cycle, there is often an excess of estrogen against the background of low production of progesterone. This causes fluid retention in tissues, edema, potassium deficiency, disorder of water-electrolyte metabolism. After normalization of hormonal balance, all these symptoms disappear.
• Inflammatory processes in the genital area, such as colpitis, vaginitis, cervicitis. Such diseases can be accompanied not only by itching, but also by whiteness - liquid vaginal discharge. [2], [3]
• Sexual infections, diseases that are sexually transmitted - specifically gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, sexual herpes. [4], [5], [6]
• Allergic processes are a common cause of itching before your period. Allergies can be caused by pads, sanitary and cleaning products, tampons, and even underwear.
• Poor hygiene of the genitals, perineal area.
• Somatic diseases (cardiac pathologies, kidney disease, respiratory diseases, trauma).
• Nervous breakdowns, stressful and depressive states, neuroses.

Risk factors

There are many known causes of itching before menstruation - both harmless and pathological, caused by any disease. However, in some people with the same cause of itching appears, and in others - not. Why does this happen? The fact is that a lot of importance is also played by certain risk factors that significantly affect the increase in unpleasant symptoms. Most often we are talking about such factors:

• weak immunity, hypothermia, poor nutrition, avitaminosis;
• improper hygienic care (insufficient or, on the contrary, excessive), too dry and sensitive skin;
• bad habits (smoking, alcohol or drug use), prolonged or incorrect treatment with certain medications (especially dangerous chaotic use of drugs without indications, with violation of dosage, etc.);
• drinking insufficient daily fluid intake, dehydration;
• exposure to chemical agents;
• tendency to allergies, wearing synthetic underwear;
• frequent or profound stress, depression, nervous breakdowns;
• periods of severe hormonal fluctuations (recent abortions, taking hormonal medications, age after 45, etc.);
• overweight, endocrine disorders;
• heredity.

Pathogenesis

There can not be a single pathogenetic mechanism by which itching before menstruation appears, because the causes of this malfunction can be many. Most often the problem is "blamed" for the change in the hormonal background: about a week before menstruation in the body changes the ratio of estrogen and progesterone. In this case, the impact is exactly the imbalance of hormones of the female genital sphere, which regulate the monthly cycle.

Making matters worse is the lack of certain vitamins - such as retinol, pyridoxine, as well as magnesium, calcium and zinc.

Experts differ in their opinions on the pathogenesis. For example, the possibility of disruption of water-electrolyte balance or prostaglandin production is considered, as well as a hyperadrenocortical mechanism of development.

As is evident from practice, itching before menstruation more often bothers women with unstable weight. In other words, the risk group includes both patients who are obviously overweight and those who are constantly following a diet, either losing weight or gaining weight sharply.

Symptoms

Often women believe that itching before menstruation can mean pathology only if accompanied by a rash or flaking of the skin. But this is not entirely true: often itching occurs without additional symptoms, or is accompanied by other signs, which are often not associated with each other.

• Itching of the labia before menstruation, associated with hormonal imbalance, in addition, may be manifested by other symptoms. For example, periodic failures of the monthly cycle, scanty (or on the contrary, abundant) bleeding, unpleasant sensations during sexual intercourse, dry mucous membranes, pronounced PMS, and in some cases - the inability to get pregnant.
• Itching in the vagina before the period is most often associated with an inflammatory process, or with sexually transmitted diseases. For example, trichomoniasis is characterized by redness on the labia and groin, swelling of the genitals. With gonorrhea, there is yellowish or pinkish-yellow discharge, as well as itching and even painful sensations. In genital herpes, there is a small rash around the anus and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes.
• Itching in the perineum before menstruation can be caused by the confluence of two painful processes: allergies and disorders of the autonomic nervous system. The key pathological sign is itching - pronounced, interfering with normal life, work and even sleep. The skin of the perineum over time becomes dry, inflamed, rough, and sometimes there are areas of hyperpigmentation.
• Itching of the body skin before menstruation, redness and peeling, violation of the general condition can be observed in some dermatological problems, which have a tendency to exacerbate on certain days of the cycle, when there are hormonal changes and natural drop in immunity. This is in any case a reason to consult a specialist.
• Itching in the anus before menstruation can be provoked by such problems as worm infestations, proctitis, hemorrhoids. It is also often associated with failure to observe personal hygiene rules. Additional symptoms of worm infestation can be frequent digestive disorders, anemia, gauntness, appearance of circles under the eyes.
• Itching and discharge before menstruation in most cases is caused by colpitis, an inflammation of the vaginal tissues. Colpitis can be caused by various infectious agents, including fungal flora and sexual infections. The main symptoms, in addition to itching, are abundant mucous or purulent discharge, swelling, discomfort during sexual intercourse, soreness in the lower abdomen.
• Before menstruation, itching and white discharge with a foreign odor is a symptom that indicates the presence of inflammation. The inflammatory process can be limited to the vaginal cavity, or localized in the uterus, appendages. The discharge can be not only white, but also greenish, turbid, yellowish. The odor is "rotten fish", sour, or putrid.
• Itching and brown discharge before menstruation sometimes bother with endometriosis. This disease is also characterized by varied pain (below, above the abdomen), the appearance of blood clots during menstruation, frequent inflammatory processes, pronounced PMS, in some cases - infertility.
• Itching before menstruation without discharge and odor often indicates an allergic reaction that develops, for example, when using hygiene products (pads, tampons, intimate gels, etc.). Additional signs are a slight swelling of the genitals, redness of mucous membranes, the appearance of rashes like urticaria.
• Itching and burning before menstruation often indicate a violation of the rules of personal hygiene. It can be both insufficient genital hygiene and excessive. Thus, many women on the eve of menstruation begin to diligently observe hygienic rules, several times a day washed. A special load is a wash with too hot water, as well as spritzing and irrigation with infusions or decoctions, or medicinal antiseptic solutions. As a result, the skin becomes dry and hypersensitive, there is itching.
• Severe itching before menstruation, as a sign of vaginal dysbacteriosis, can be accompanied by painful sensations during intercourse, lashes and pain in the genital area, strong or light ointment discharge. In the absence of treatment, vaginitis, cystitis often develops, and dysbacteriosis becomes chronic.
• Before menstruation, curdy discharge and itching is a sure sign of exacerbation of fungal pathology. Curd discharge usually has a sour odor, and itching bothers not only before the onset of menstruation, but also after sexual intercourse. Additionally, the general condition may worsen, headaches may appear.
• Before menstruation, burning in the urethra is caused by chronic urethritis or cystitis. The diseases are accompanied by pain and tearing during urine discharge, redness at the outlet of the urethra, the presence of pus or blood in the urine, discomfort in the lower abdomen.

Depending on the prevalence of certain symptoms, the doctor prescribes appropriate diagnostic measures, and only then makes a final diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

Diagnostics of the itching before your period

The basic criterion for diagnosing itching before menstruation is regular cyclicity, periodicity of this symptom, its relationship with menstruation (disappearance at the end of the bleeding period).

The doctor should take into account all additional symptoms, clarify the nature of menstruation. An important diagnostic link can be a woman's keeping a kind of diary, where she should trace her condition for several cycles, noting any changes and symptoms associated with itching and menstruation.

Laboratory tests must necessarily include a study of the hormonal background, namely the level of estradiol, prolactin and progesterone. Other tests are prescribed depending on the presence of other complaints and symptoms. These can be general clinical tests (blood, urine), allergy tests, determination of blood sugar.

Instrumental diagnostics is performed as part of a pre-test. It may include:

• an assessment of ovarian function;
• electroencephalogram;
• X-rays of the skull, Turkish saddle.

If necessary, it is recommended to consult a neurologist, dermatovenerologist, endocrinologist, infectious disease specialist.

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis is:

• with dermatologic itching (atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, dermatoinfections);
• with systemic pruritus (in liver disease, chronic renal failure, blood diseases);
• with neurogenic pruritus (peripheral and central nervous system disorders);
• with psychogenic itching.

For example, hormonally-driven dry skin and mucous membranes, cholestasis, iron deficiency anemia, and age-related changes can also cause limited itching sensations.

If the cause of itching before menses cannot be diagnostically established, then an idiopathic disorder is indicated.

Treatment of the itching before your period

Women who regularly experience itching associated with the onset of menstruation, it is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits, normalize work and rest, prevent stress. In the second phase of the cycle should follow a diet that limits the use of carbohydrates and salt. Special emphasis should be placed on a healthy full night's rest, regular walks in the fresh air. Physical activity, such as cycling, swimming, yoga and aerobics, will also be beneficial.

As a medication treatment, depending on the underlying condition, the doctor may suggest:

• Taking oral contraceptives or progesterone medications;
• Taking anti-estrogens (Tamoxifen) or antigonadotropins (Goserelin);
• homeopathic remedies (Cyclodinon, Remens);
• sedatives (valerian extract, motherwort tincture), tranquilizing drugs (Phenibut);
• Diuretics (Furosemide);
• analgesics (Ibuprofen, Nimesil);
• vitamins;
• antihistamines (Cetirizine, Loratadine);
• psychotherapy.

Medicines that your doctor can prescribe

• Ketoconazole is a systemic antifungal drug that is usually prescribed 200-400 mg per day. The duration of therapy may be different, depending on the extent of fungal lesions. Ketoconazole is not used in hypersensitivity to the drug. Possible side effects when taking the drug may include abdominal pain, nausea, headache, sleep disorders.
• Novo-passit is a sedative and anxiolytic drug that effectively calms, relieves mental tension, relaxes smooth muscles. Novo-passit is successfully used to eliminate increased neuromuscular excitability, as well as in dermatoses that are accompanied by itching. The solution is taken 5 ml three times a day (sometimes the dose is increased to 10 ml). Side effects are a feeling of fatigue, dizziness, digestive disorders, muscle weakness. In case of digestive disorders, the drug should be taken with food.
• Cetirizine is a systemic antihistamine, which is taken 10 mg at a time, during dinner. It is indicated for various types of itching, including idiopathic itching. As a rule, Cetirizine does not cause drowsiness, if it is taken in the recommended doses. Headaches, dry mouth are rarely noted.
• Remens - refers to complex homeopathic remedies, which is successfully used to eliminate PMS, hormone-related itching before menstruation, as well as part of a complex therapy for inflammatory processes in the genital area. The standard course of treatment is 3 months. Remens is taken 10 drops three times a day (if the doctor did not prescribe otherwise). Side effects are almost never encountered: exception - hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug.
• Phenibut is a drug that can affect neurogenic itching. It relieves nervous tension, normalizes sleep, improves the functional state of the brain. Phenibut is taken before meals, 250-500 mg three times a day, for 14-21 days. In rare cases, at the very beginning of treatment, side symptoms in the form of headache, dizziness, nausea may be bothersome.

Vitamins

Additional intake of vitamins can alleviate itching before menstruation, because many processes in the body are inextricably linked to what and in what quantities a person eats. Women who are bothered by unpleasant sensations in this period, should increase the percentage of products rich in zinc, calcium, B vitamins in their diet.

With the approach of a new menstrual cycle, the female body begins to experience a lack of potassium and magnesium, which directly affect the state of the vascular network. The source of these minerals are bananas, greens, nuts, seeds, apricots, bran. If the need arises, you can take pharmacy preparations - for example, Magne _B6, Magnicum, Asparcam, Panangin.

In addition to minerals, there is an additional need for tocopherol, or vitamin E, before your period. This vitamin is present in nuts, cereals, vegetable oils and in pharmacy preparations, such as Aevit.

To ensure a full effect, it is necessary to supplement the diet with iron, ascorbic acid and vitamin _B12, calcium.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physical therapy can be prescribed in combination with medication and psychotherapy, which allows you to reduce the dosage of drugs while maintaining the maximum therapeutic effect. Physical procedures normalize the functionality of the CNS and autonomic nervous system, stabilize the hormonal background and psycho-emotional state of the patient.

• The method of transcranial electroanalgesia involves exposure to pulsed currents, which has a calming and analgesic effect, stabilizes the nervous system.
• Electrosleep - affects the brain with low-frequency pulse currents, which lowers nervous system excitability and improves pituitary hormone function.
• The galvanization method involves the use of direct electric current, which has a calming effect and lowers the excitability of the brain.
• Medicated electrophoresis with sedatives on the collar region has a calming and tonic property.
• Acupuncture, reflexology affects bioactive zones, having antidepressant, analgesic effect.
• The use of contrast or circular shower eliminates the effects of stress, improves the general state of immunity, relieves tension, irritability, normalizes sleep.
• Coniferous, iodobromic, radon baths have a calming effect, normalize the functionality of reproductive organs, anesthetize, stabilize the hormonal background.
• Therapeutic massage reduces the excitability of the nervous system, has a relaxing effect, optimizes metabolic processes.

Folk treatment

To overcome itching before periods will help and alternative medicine, which offers a wide arsenal of recipes. You can familiarize yourself with them right now:

1. Infusion of dandelion rhizome. To prepare it, brew 1 tbsp. Dried root 200 ml of steep boiling water, keep under a lid for about half an hour, filter. Then the remedy is taken 100 ml twice a day before meals. Start treatment should be about 10 days before the expected first day of the new monthly cycle.
2. Infusion of red mountain ash fruit. Rinse 2 tbsp. Of fruits, pour 500 ml of boiling water and insist under a lid until completely cooled. Then the infusion is filtered and drunk during the day a little at a time.
3. Infusion of fennel seed. Take 1 tbsp. Seed, pour boiling water (0.5 liters), kept under a lid for 20 minutes. Take in warm form during the day.
4. Decoction of willow-tea. Plant in an amount of 1 tbsp. Pour 500 ml of water, put on low heat, bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, then remove from the fire, cover with a lid and leave for an hour to infuse. After that, the remedy is filtered and drunk before meals 100 ml.

Herbal treatment

You can supplement traditional treatment by taking various useful herbal collections. They can be prepared from such plants:

1. Juniper fruit, yarrow herb, licorice root.
2. Hawthorn flowers, wheatgrass, chamomile flowers, motherwort herb.

These herbs are taken in equal amounts. Then take 2 tbsp. Of the mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water and insist in a thermos for half an hour. Infusion cooled, filtered and take a little bit during the day, regardless of the time of meals.

Some women manage to soothe itching before menstruation with the help of melissa tea. Take 2 tbsp. Dry leaves of melissa, pour 250 ml of boiling water, kept under a lid for an hour. Drink this tea twice a day, between meals.

In addition, useful can be and infusion of cornflower flowers. Pour 1 tbsp. Flowers 250 ml of boiling water, insist under a lid for half an hour. Then the infusion is filtered and divided into three portions: for morning, afternoon and evening reception.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy can offer many remedies to get rid of itching before menstruation. The choice of the drug is entirely a matter for the specialist, because the appointment is carried out taking into account the constitutional characteristics of the woman. Acceptance of the selected remedy in high potency begin a day before the onset of unpleasant sensations.

The drugs of choice could be:

• Pulsatilla is used for itching on the background of scanty and irregular periods, with chilliness, swelling and tendency to tearfulness.
• Sepia is suitable if genital itching is accompanied by a constant feeling of fatigue, nausea, tachycardia, migraine, burning pains.
• Lahesis is prescribed to female patients who are prone to irritability, talkativeness, and unexplained restlessness.
• Grafites is suitable for eliminating itching in patients prone to obesity, dry and rough skin. Itching appears before scanty periods, characterized by unpleasant sensations in the vaginal area and/or anus.
• Conium will help with significant endocrine insufficiency, as well as in cases where itching before menstruation is accompanied by breast engorgement.
• Nux Vomica can be used by strong-willed, masculine patients.
• Causticum is suitable in cases of itching in the urethra, cystitis and urinary incontinence.

Complications and consequences

Lack of treatment, or incorrect treatment tactics for itching before menstruation can lead to the development of serious complications. Such complications can be conditionally divided into two groups:

1. Close consequences in the form of external infectious processes, chronic fungal lesions, intimate problems.
2. Long-term consequences in the form of genitourinary infections (cystitis, urethritis, nephritis, inflammation of reproductive organs), infertility.

The above pathologies are capable of manifesting themselves in complicated and chronic forms of pruritus, which is recorded in medicine relatively rarely.

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent itching before menstruation should always be comprehensive. In this case, experts indicate a whole list of ways that will not only prevent the problem, but also reduce the manifestations of existing itching.

• Hormonal medications.

They are taken only when prescribed by a gynecologist and never on their own. This applies to both hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives.

• Sedatives.

It is recommended to take such remedies shortly before the beginning, as well as during menstruation. Tinctures of valerian or motherwort, calamine bark, peony rhizome, peppermint tea are optimal.

• Eliminating bad habits.

Itching before menstruation often bothers those women who have one or more bad habits - for example, smoking, drinking alcohol, or drinking a lot of strong coffee during the day. Therefore, these habits should be abandoned as soon as possible.

• Proper nutrition.

Eating only healthy food is the basis for good health. It is recommended to severely limit or completely exclude from the diet such foods as weaknesses, baked goods, sodas, excessively fatty and spicy dishes.

• Physical Activity.

A physically active life has a significant impact on women's health - in a positive way, of course. Walking, sports training, outdoor games, swimming, cycling - all this not only improves metabolic processes, but also activates the production of serotonin and endorphins - substances known to many as "joy hormones". Among other things, an active life reduces cravings for unhealthy foods.

• Timely and adequate rest.

Throughout the cycle, including before your period, you should not forget about quality rest. And it is not only a healthy night's sleep: you can undergo a course of massage procedures, take a relaxing bath, take a leisurely walk in the park. It would seem that nothing complicated. But in this simple way you can prevent many problems with the nervous system, including itching before your period.

• Developing stress tolerance.

In moments of conflict situations, it is important to be able to competently escape from stress, or to avoid unpleasant development of the situation, if possible.

• Timely treatment of diseases.

To itch before menstruation never bothered, it is important to visit doctors in time and treat any diseases - inflammatory or allergic processes, fungal lesions, dysbacteriosis and so on.

Forecast

Itching before menstruation is a serious malfunction that reduces a woman's ability to work and worsens her quality of life. In some cases, the problem can even lead to mental breakdowns. If regular signs of itching are detected, it is necessary to visit a doctor and be examined. The doctor will perform a differential diagnosis with similar pathologies, after which he will prescribe the necessary therapeutic measures. But self-treatment can significantly aggravate the situation. In the presence of the disease and in the absence of adequate treatment, the problem can progress, and in the future the symptomatology will expand. In addition, the course of background pathologies may worsen - for example, inflammatory processes in the reproductive apparatus.