Gatal faraj (an itchy vagina or vulva) is common and usually treatable. The NHS lists common causes such as thrush (a yeast infection), sexually transmitted infections like trichomoniasis, vaginal dryness from hormone changes, skin conditions like eczema, and irritation from soaps or scented products. Thick white discharge with itching points to thrush; yellow-green or fishy-smelling discharge needs a check for infection. Wash with water only, wear loose cotton underwear and avoid douching. See a doctor if it is the first time, it does not get better, or you have unusual discharge, sores, lumps or white patches. This guide explains the possible causes, safe treatment, itching in pregnancy and in young girls, and when to get help.
Apa itu gatal faraj?
The NHS calls soreness and swelling in and around the vagina vaginitis. It says vaginitis is common and usually treatable. Symptoms can include:
- an itchy or sore vagina;
- vaginal discharge that is a different colour, smell or thickness to usual;
- vaginal dryness;
- pain when peeing or having sex;
- light vaginal bleeding or spotting;
- sore, swollen or cracked skin around the vagina.
You might not have all these symptoms (NHS). Faraj means the vagina, but the itch is often felt on the vulva, the area around the opening of the vagina. This guide covers both.
Punca kemaluan gatal: petunjuk daripada simptom
The NHS says your symptoms might give you an idea of the cause, but do not self-diagnose; get medical help if you are worried.
| What you notice | Possible cause | Source |
|---|---|---|
| White, lumpy discharge (like cottage cheese or tauhu) that does not usually smell, with itching and soreness | Thrush (candida yeast infection); see our guide to jangkitan yis faraj | NHS |
| Yellow-green discharge that may be frothy or smell fishy, with itching, soreness or pain when peeing | Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection | NHS |
| Thin, greyish-white discharge with a strong fishy smell, especially after sex | Bacterial vaginosis (BV); the NHS says BV does not usually cause soreness or itching | NHS |
| Small blisters or sores, with tingling, burning or itching | Genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection | NHS |
| Itchy white patches that are smooth or crinkled and may bleed if scratched | Lichen sclerosus, a skin condition that is much more common in women over 50 | NHS |
| Itching that is worse at night, with tiny grey-brown insects or eggs in the pubic hair | Pubic lice | NHS |
| Dry, itchy vagina and pain during sex | Hormone changes from the menopause, breastfeeding or some types of contraception | NHS |
| Itchy, sore patches around the vagina and on other parts of the body | A skin condition such as eczema; see our guide to ekzema | NHS |
The NHS says vaginitis can also be caused by irritation (for example from soap), an injury, or something left in the vagina, such as a tampon. To compare types of discharge, see our guide to keputihan normal atau tidak.
Faraj kering, hormon dan kencing manis
The NHS lists these causes of vaginal dryness, which can make you feel sore or itchy in and around the vagina:
- the menopause;
- pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- some medicines, such as hormonal contraceptives or antidepressants;
- a hysterectomy, or cancer treatments such as chemotherapy;
- using perfumed soaps, washes or douches in and around the vagina;
- conditions such as diabetes.
Water-based lubricants and vaginal moisturisers can help, and a doctor may suggest hormone treatment if the cause is a change in hormone levels (NHS).
Thrush grows in warm, moist conditions. The NHS says it is more likely if you are taking antibiotics, are pregnant, have poorly controlled diabetes, have a weakened immune system or your skin is irritated or damaged. If thrush keeps coming back, a doctor can help find out what is causing it (NHS); poorly controlled diabetes is one possible cause. See our guide to kencing manis.
Gatal kerana sabun, pencuci dan pantyliner
Irritation from products is a common, easily missed cause. The NHS says vaginitis can be caused by irritation from soap, and advises against scented hygiene products in or around the vagina, such as soaps and deodorants. Contact dermatitis, a type of eczema, is most often caused by irritants such as soaps and detergents (NHS).
The NHS advice for thrush, BV and lichen sclerosus also includes:
- do not use vaginal deodorants, washes or douches (washing inside the vagina);
- do not use strong detergents to wash your underwear;
- do not wear tight underwear or tights;
- if you have lichen sclerosus, avoid panty liners or use fragrance-free ones.
Cara rawat gatal faraj
The NHS says treatment depends on the cause. For example, you may need:
| Cause | Usual treatment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thrush | Antifungal medicine: a tablet, a pessary (a tablet put into the vagina) or a cream | Should clear within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment (NHS) |
| BV | Antibiotic tablets, gels or creams from a doctor | It is common for BV to come back within a few months (NHS) |
| Trichomoniasis | Antibiotics, usually metronidazole | Current and recent partners also need treatment; no sex until 1 week after you both finish treatment (NHS) |
| Genital herpes | Antiviral medicine, best started within 5 days of symptoms | There is no cure, but symptoms clear up and treatment helps (NHS) |
| Menopause or hormone changes | Vaginal moisturiser, lubricant or hormone treatment | Ask a doctor whether hormone treatment suits you (NHS) |
| Skin conditions such as eczema or lichen sclerosus | Steroid medicine, such as a prescription steroid ointment | Follow your doctor's advice on how long to use it (NHS) |
| Pubic lice | Medicated cream or shampoo, repeated after a week | They will not go away without treatment (NHS) |
About pharmacy medicine. The NHS says you can buy antifungal medicine for thrush from a pharmacy if thrush has been diagnosed before and you know the symptoms. Do not use it more than twice in 6 months without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor, and remember that antifungal creams can damage condoms and diaphragms, so your contraception may not work (NHS). If you are not sure it is thrush, ask a pharmacist or see a doctor first, because BV and trichomoniasis need antibiotics instead.
Cara hilangkan gatal di rumah (dan apa perlu dielak)
Many readers search for cara tradisional hilangkan gatal di kemaluan. The NHS advice for easing vaginitis and stopping it coming back is simple:
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Wash around your vagina with water and dry thoroughly | Clean inside your vagina (douching) |
| Wear loose, cotton underwear | Have hot baths |
| Use pads instead of tampons during your period | Use scented soaps, deodorants or other scented hygiene products in or around your vagina |
| Use condoms and lubrication when having sex | Use creams, lotions or moisturisers that are not made for the vagina, as they can cause more irritation or an infection |
The sources we used do not recommend putting herbal or other home remedies into the vagina. If you want to try a traditional remedy, ask a doctor or pharmacist first, and do not let it delay a check-up if the itching does not settle. Try not to scratch or rub the skin, as this can make some conditions, such as lichen sclerosus, worse (NHS).
Gatal faraj semasa hamil
Pregnancy is one of the situations in which thrush is more likely (NHS). The NHS advises seeing a doctor if you have thrush and are pregnant or breastfeeding, rather than treating it yourself. Other infections matter in pregnancy too:
- BV: there is a small chance of complications, such as premature birth or miscarriage, although BV causes no problems in most pregnancies (NHS);
- trichomoniasis: it can cause a baby to be born early or with a low birthweight (NHS);
- genital herpes: see your midwife or doctor if you think you have it, especially in late pregnancy (NHS).
Tell your doctor or klinik kesihatan about any itching, unusual discharge or sores during pregnancy. See also our guide to tanda-tanda mengandung.
Gatal kemaluan pada kanak-kanak perempuan
If your daughter has an itchy bottom or vagina, possible causes include:
- threadworms (cacing kerawit): the NHS says these tiny worms can cause extreme itching around the anus or vagina, particularly at night, and are common in children. They can be treated with medicine from a pharmacy, and everyone aged 2 and over in the household should be treated. See our guide to ubat cacing;
- lichen sclerosus, which can affect people of all ages, including children (NHS);
- thrush: the NHS advises seeing a doctor if you have thrush and are under 16.
Take a child to a doctor if the itching does not settle, or if you see sores, bleeding or unusual discharge.
Jangan malu untuk berjumpa doktor
A Malaysian family medicine report from Universiti Sains Malaysia notes that cultural taboos and stigma around vaginal health may discourage women from seeking medical help, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. The authors also cite estimates that up to 75% of women will have vulvovaginal candidiasis (vaginal thrush) at least once in their lifetime.
Doctors are used to these questions. The NHS says you can ask for a female doctor when you book, and you can have someone with you during an examination. A doctor may look at the skin around your vagina and use a swab to check for infection, and you can ask them to stop at any time (NHS).
Bila perlu jumpa doktor
See a doctor or a sexual health clinic (NHS) if:
- you have these symptoms for the first time;
- your symptoms are bothering you a lot, are different to usual or are not getting better;
- you have vaginal discharge that is unusual for you;
- you have symptoms after having sex with a new partner (do not have sex until you have seen a doctor or nurse);
- you feel hot, cold or shivery, or have pain in your lower tummy;
- thrush keeps coming back (more than 4 times in 12 months) or treatment has not worked;
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 16 or over 60, or have a weakened immune system, for example because of diabetes;
- you have blisters, sores, a lump, a growth, or itchy white patches on your genitals.
The NHS lists itching that does not get better, a lump, a sore or ulcer, bleeding not related to your period, and changes in skin colour or thickness on the vulva among the symptoms of vulval cancer. These symptoms can be caused by many different conditions, but they should be checked by a doctor. If you also have pain when peeing, see our guide to jangkitan saluran kencing (UTI). Regular cervical screening is also important; see our guide to Pap smear dan ujian HPV.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Kenapa faraj atau kemaluan gatal (why is my vagina itchy)?
An itchy vagina is common and usually treatable. The NHS lists common causes such as thrush (a yeast infection), sexually transmitted infections like trichomoniasis, vaginal dryness from hormone changes (menopause, breastfeeding or some contraception), skin conditions like eczema, and irritation from soaps or scented products. Other symptoms, such as the type of discharge, help point to the cause, but do not self-diagnose: see a doctor if you are unsure.
Gatal faraj dan keputihan putih seperti tauhu, apa maksudnya (itching with thick white discharge)?
The NHS says white, lumpy discharge like cottage cheese, with itching and soreness, is typical of thrush, a common yeast infection. It usually does not smell. Thrush is treated with antifungal medicine and should clear within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment. See a doctor if it is your first time, if you are pregnant, or if it keeps coming back.
Gatal faraj dan keputihan berbau hanyir, kenapa (itching with fishy-smelling discharge)?
A strong fishy smell is typical of bacterial vaginosis (BV), but the NHS says BV does not usually cause itching. Yellow-green, frothy or fishy discharge with itching, soreness or pain when peeing can be a sign of trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection. Both need treatment with antibiotics from a doctor, so get checked rather than treating it yourself.
Apa cara hilangkan gatal faraj di rumah (how can I ease vaginal itching at home)?
The NHS advises washing around the vagina with water and drying well, wearing loose cotton underwear, choosing showers over hot baths, and avoiding scented soaps, washes, deodorants and douching. Try not to scratch or rub the skin. Home care eases irritation but does not treat an infection, so see a doctor if the itching does not settle, keeps coming back or comes with unusual discharge, sores or pain.
Ubat gatal faraj apa yang boleh dibeli di farmasi (what can I buy from a pharmacy)?
The NHS says you can buy antifungal medicine for thrush from a pharmacy if you have had thrush diagnosed before and know the symptoms, and that you should not use it more than twice in 6 months without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. Antifungal creams can damage condoms. Other causes, such as BV or trichomoniasis, need antibiotics from a doctor, so ask a pharmacist if you are not sure.
Gatal faraj semasa hamil, bahaya ke (is vaginal itching in pregnancy dangerous)?
Thrush is more likely during pregnancy and is usually not serious, but the NHS says to see a doctor if you have thrush while pregnant rather than treating it yourself. Some infections that cause itching or unusual discharge, such as trichomoniasis, and BV, can affect pregnancy. Tell your doctor or klinik kesihatan about any itching, unusual discharge or sores.
Bila gatal faraj perlu jumpa doktor (when should I see a doctor)?
See a doctor or a sexual health clinic if it is the first time you have these symptoms, the itching is not getting better, you have unusual discharge, sores, blisters, lumps or white patches, you have symptoms after sex with a new partner, you are pregnant, or you also have a fever or pain in your lower tummy. The NHS also lists itching that does not get better among the symptoms of vulval cancer; these symptoms can be caused by many other conditions, but they should be checked.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Vaginitis — NHS
- Thrush in men and women — NHS
- Bacterial vaginosis — NHS
- Trichomoniasis — NHS
- Genital herpes — NHS
- Vaginal dryness — NHS
- Lichen sclerosus — NHS
- Pubic lice — NHS
- Threadworms — NHS
- Symptoms of vulval cancer — NHS
- Muhammad Amir N, Wan Mohd Nazlee WZ, Shaiful Bahari I. A forgotten pleasure: a unique case report of a neglected foreign body in a postmenopausal woman with persistent vaginal discharge. Malays Fam Physician. 2025;20:44
