Do I have to go to a gynecologist or can I use any product in a pharmacy?

Question

Hello, since a few days I have small buttons that itch at the level of the vulva close to the clitoris and I wondered if it could be caused by "moisture" by force to be hot while working in tight jeans Some normal discharge, itching happens at some non specific times during the day, a more remarkable smell than usual, no other symptoms nor medication other than the contraceptive pill. I have been using the same soap for a few months and I have not been sexually active for 2-3 months

Marie-Laurence Gauthier · Accepted Answer

Hello, I would like to ask you a few questions in order to better answer you: Do you have vaginal discharge? Does the itching occur after a specific time, for example after sex? Is there an unusual smell? Do you have any other symptoms (pain during sex, bleeding, etc.)? Are you taking any medications or suffering from any health problems? Have you used a new intimate area soap? I am waiting for your answers, Marie-Laurence Gauthier, pharmacist. Thank you for your answers. As for the smell, if you smell a strong fishy odor, you should consult a doctor because it is a symptom of bacterial vaginosis that requires antibiotic treatment. Regarding sexual activity, some STIs have an incubation period of a few weeks or months. If you have had unprotected sex, even if it was a few months ago, it would be appropriate to get tested. I recommend that you contact the CLSC in your area. Finally, yeast vaginitis presents with vulvar and vaginal itching accompanied by a thick, odourless white discharge that looks like cottage cheese. This would be treated with Canesten available without a prescription in pharmacies. If you do not have these symptoms, Canesten is not indicated. It is possible that the pimples are due to irritation, in which case there is nothing to do except to avoid any product with perfume and to prioritize cotton underwear that breathes (this can help with the stronger odor) and to avoid clothing that is too tight. You can use an odorless soap to clean the vulva (labia majora only) such as Dove odorless for example. Avoid soap on the labia minora and vagina. If you see that despite these measures the lesions do not improve, I advise you to consult a doctor. I hope this helps, Marie-Laurence Gauthier, pharmacist.