How to Treat Vulvovaginitis at Home: 5 Remedies and Self-Care Tips for Lasting Relief

Vulvovaginitis — or simply vaginitis — is a general term for inflammation or infection of the vagina or the vulva. The vulva is the external genitalia. It’s made up of the structures around the vaginal opening that you can see, like the labia and mons pubis.

People with vulvovaginitis can experience burning, pain, or itching inside the vagina or around the vulva. Some people also experience vaginal discharge and symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as pain with peeing. 

Vulvovaginitis can be caused by infections, hormone changes, and sensitivities to products like soaps, condoms, or tampons. 

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If you’ve had vulvovaginitis before, you may already have an idea of what’s causing your symptoms. But it’s best to see your primary care provider or gynecologist if these symptoms are new to you, or if they aren’t improving on their own with common at-home remedies. Your healthcare professional can help you figure out whether you’re experiencing symptoms because of an infection. If you have an infection, you’ll need treatment with antibiotics or antifungals. 

Even with the right treatment, it can take time for your vulvovaginitis symptoms to go away. But in the meantime, there are some home remedies that can help ease your symptoms while you wait for treatment to start working. Here are five self-care treatments and home remedies for vulvovaginitis that you can try for quick relief.

1. Moisturizers

Gentle moisturizers can help soothe skin irritation, itching, and burning from vulvovaginitis. 

Inflammation damages vulvar skin, and vaginal discharge can cause further skin breakdown. A gentle moisturizer creates a barrier between your irritated skin and vaginal discharge, clothing, and anything else that can cause more irritation.

You can apply a moisturizer to the skin of your vulva throughout the day whenever you need relief. But don’t apply moisturizer to the inside of your vagina. Make sure to wash your hands before and after applying moisturizer. 

There are several over-the-counter (OTC) products marketed for vulvovaginitis relief. One example is Vagisil. The brand offers a range of moisturizing creams and wipes. Some products also contain low-strength steroids, which can offer additional itch relief.

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There’s no “best” moisturizer for vulvovaginitis. You can pick whichever brand is easiest to find and fits your budget. Just make sure the product is fragrance-, dye-, and alcohol-free. These additives can irritate your already inflamed skin. 

You can also opt for a tub of petroleum jelly, Vaseline, or Aquaphor. These products offer skin protection and are irritant-free. 

2. Cold compresses

A cold compress is a simple but effective way to relieve irritation, burning, and swelling from vulvovaginitis. Simply apply the cold compress to your vulva for 10 minutes. 

You can make your own cold compress at home: 

• Run a clean washcloth under cold water and then apply it to your vulva. 

• You can run several washcloths under cold water and put them in your refrigerator. This will keep them cold throughout the day and give you a lasting supply of cool compresses. 

• Just make sure to wash the cloths after every use — don’t reuse cloth compresses.

You can also try instant or reusable cold gel packs. You can find these at your local retail pharmacy or grocery store. You can also make your own cold pack by placing ice in a plastic bag. 

Don’t apply bagged ice or frozen cold packs directly to your skin. This can lead to cold injury and further skin damage. If you’re using ice or a cold pack, wrap it in a clean cloth first. Then apply it to your skin. 

3. Sitz baths

A sitz bath is a warm soak that can help relieve itching, burning, and pain from vulvovaginitis. You can make a sitz bath at home. All you need is a plastic basin or bathtub, warm water, and baking soda. Here’s how:

• First, add warm — not hot — water to your basin. 

• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda. 

• Then sit inside the basin for 10 to 20 minutes. 

• There should be enough water in your basin to cover your vulva. You don’t need to fill your basin completely.

If you don’t have a basin, you can fill your bathtub with 2 to 3 inches of warm water instead. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of baking soda and then sit inside the bathtub. 

You can take a sitz bath whenever your symptoms bother you.

4. Probiotics

Probiotics are supplements or foods that contain live strains of Lactobacillus. Lactobacillus is one type of the “good” bacteria that lives in your vagina. When you don’t have enough lactobacillus in your vagina, other bacteria start to take over. This can lead to bacterial vaginosis, which is a common cause of vaginitis.

Probiotics can treat vaginitis on their own. But there’s growing evidence that adding probiotics to antibiotics can help people recover from bacterial vaginosis faster. And probiotics may also prevent future episodes of vulvovaginitis. 

You can buy probiotic supplements at grocery stores, retail pharmacies, and specialty stores. Make sure to read the dosing instructions on the package. You can also try adding foods that are rich in probiotics to your diet. Yogurts and kefir contain probiotics. Fermented foods and drinks like kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut naturally contain probiotics too.

5. Boric acid

Boric acid is a mild antiseptic. It’s available OTC as vaginal suppositories or capsules. You place the suppository or capsule inside your vagina — don’t take them by mouth. 

Boric acid can help maintain a healthy pH balance inside the vagina. Maintaining a healthy pH allows the “good” bacteria inside your vagina to thrive. This leaves less room for bacteria and fungus that cause vaginitis to grow. 

Boric acid can’t treat vaginitis on its own. But it may help you get better faster when you use it along with antibiotics or antifungals. 

Some research suggests that adding boric acid to your treatment plan can help treat vaginal infections and keep them from coming back. If you’re prone to vaginitis, your healthcare professional may recommend that you use boric acid long term, even after you’ve finished treatment with antibiotics or antifungal medications. 

Other helpful tips for vulvovaginitis relief

In addition to these five home remedies, there are many self-care tips that can give you relief from vulvovaginitis symptoms: 

• Keep your vaginal area dry. Moisture can cause more skin breakdown and irritation. You want to keep your genital area as dry as possible. This can be tricky if you’re experiencing heavy discharge or have incontinence. Changing your underwear throughout the day can help keep you dry. Opt for cotton underwear, which is a breathable fabric and stops moisture buildup. Take frequent bathroom breaks to gently pat your vulva dry. And make sure to fully dry off after baths and showers. Pat your vulva dry instead of rubbing, which can further irritate your skin. 

• Opt for loose clothing. Avoid wearing tight pants and stick to loose pants, skirts, and dresses when you have vulvovaginitis. Tight clothing traps moisture against your skin, which will make your symptoms worse. Wear loose, cotton pajama pants without underwear for sleep. This will help moisture from building up against your skin overnight. 

• Skip the soap. It’s important to keep your genital area clean when you have vulvovaginitis. But warm water is enough. Soap can further irritate and dry out your irritated skin. You also want to avoid bath oils, douches, sprays, and powders. These products can make your symptoms worse.

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Written by:

Shiv Sudhakar, MD

Shiv Sudhakar, MD, is a fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America and works as a physician in California. He has co-authored over 10 peer-reviewed research articles, published several short stories, had a script recently optioned, and presented 20 scientific presentations, two of which placed in the top 3 at the American College of Physicians.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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