5 Vulvar Pain Causes You Should Know About
The vulva is the area of tissue around your vagina’s opening, including the outer folds of skin. It is not uncommon to experience the occasional pain or discomfort around this area, such as during your period.
However, if you have been experiencing pain without any apparent cause, or if it is too painful to bear, this may be due to an underlying health condition.
But why would you experience it? Read on we show you some possible causes of vulva pain.
Possible Vulvar Pain Causes
1. Yeast Infection
As with most skin and deeper infections, a yeast infection can cause irritation, itching, pain, and discomfort. Symptoms, other than pain, include rash, discharge changes, itching, redness, burning, and inflammation.
2. Physical or Sexual Trauma
The vulvar area and its nerve endings may become damaged from sexual activity (such as rough intercourse, sexual activity without enough lubrication), childbirth, or other activities.
Other activities may cause vulvar pain, especially when it puts pressure on your vaginal region. Activities like cycling, spinning, horseback riding, and other similar activities may harm your nerve endings and tissue, resulting in pain.
3. Chronic Pain Conditions or Genetic Disorders
Some people may have genetic differences, which case their cells to overreact to hormones or inflammation. This can cause pain, especially when the inflammation occurs around the vulvar area. The inflammation would cause the tissue to swell and fill up with more blood than required, resulting in a hot and sore feeling.
Related: Is My Vagina Normal? Plus A Female Anatomy Chart
Those with chronic pain conditions are also at higher risk of vulvodynia (vulva pain). Women with these types of conditions are up to three times more likely to have other chronic pain conditions as well, such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndome – IBS. Some studies have suggested that these might be inflammatory related diseases, which is why some types of vulvar pain may be related to inflammation.
4. Allergies – Vulvar Pain Hygiene
Products you use around your vaginal region can cause vulvar pain as well, due to sensitivity or even an allergic reaction. This is because allergic reactions can cause irritation and inflammation, leading to pain. Avoid irritants if at al possible.
If you use any soaps, gels, lotions, lubricants, or feminine deodorants, it’s best to stop applying them and introducing such products one by one to see if one of the products is causing the allergic reaction.
5. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Childbirth, pregnancy, nerve injuries, obesity, pelvic surgery, and trauma to the area can all cause pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause bowel and bladder issues, pelvic organ prolapse, and pain in the vulva as well as the lower back or pelvic area.
6. Urinary Tract Infection Vulvar Pain
It is also possible that a UTI could cause some pain similar to vulvar pain or radiating to that area, as could a kidney or bladder stone.
Wrapping It Up
Fortunately, treatment for vulvar pain exists, which is why you’ll need to visit your gynecologist to address the issue for suitable therapy or medications.
Furthermore, you can also make a few lifestyle changes to try to treat and also prevent vulvar pain from happening again. Make sure that you wear comfortable clothes and underwear, use products that are safe and non-irritating, and minimize activities that worsen your pain.
By following your doctor’s instructions and proper hygiene habits, you will be able to find the cause and hopefully treat the pain effectively.
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