I have vaginal itching and dryness since I started taking the pill – could it be causing it?

"I have vaginal itching and dryness since I started taking the pill – could it be causing it?"

Vaginal itching or dryness could unfortunately be caused by a lot of different things. Without examining you it is impossible to say for sure, but it sounds like you may have a yeast infection.

Hormonal birth control has not been shown to cause these 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 these 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 come in for an appointment so we can examine you and test you to see 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 STI-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 Skyla IUD (Progestin Only)
• Paragard IUD (Completely hormone free)
• Nexplanon Implant (Progestin Only)

Have questions or need to make an appointment? Call (877) 883.7264 or visit our website at www.fpawomenshealth.com to book an appointment online.