IS YOUR VAGINA HURTING?
Ignoring it may end up being a mistake in the long run.
First things first, let us understand the difference between vaginal pain and vulvar pain. Vaginal pain is an inner discomfort you feel deep inside your lady parts. Whereas, vulvar pain is the discomfort you experience in the outer bits, like the labia.
Causes of vaginal pain:
1. Vaginal dryness
The common condition of vaginal dryness is the OG culprit behind most cases of vaginal pain. If you engage in penetrative sex with a dry vagina, especially without the goodness of a lubricant, you may end up with unwanted vaginal pain. This dryness can sometimes even lead to a minor injury down there, making that pain worse. Vaginal dryness can be due to lower levels of estrogen due to hormonal changes.
2. Menstruation
The not-so-good ol’ period cramps hardly spare anyone with a vagina, don’t they? Abdominal discomfort including bloating and vaginal pain can come hand in hand with menstruation. Some women may experience water retention in the run-up to periods. This heaviness may lead to stabbing vaginal pain.
3. Fibroids
In simple terms, fibroids are non-cancerous tumors found in the uterus or womb. It is a common attention, but not worth ignoring completely. Vaginal pain could be one of the signs of fibroids. The vaginal pain and pelvic discomfort that a woman may experience may depend on the size and placement of fibroids. These may hamper your sexual escapades or even make your periods feel like an action-packed thriller!
4. Vulvar cysts
Have you felt any bumps around your vulva? These could vulvar cysts. Also known as Bartholin’s cysts, these form when Bartholin’s glands, located on either side of the vaginal opening, become blocked or clogged. Ouch, these can hurt! If the cyst is large, you may need to seek proper medical intervention. Needless to say, vulvar cysts can be a cause of vaginal pain.
5. Sexually transmitted infectons and more
When it comes to causes of vaginal pain, how can sexually transmitted infections (STIs) be left behind? Well, even yeast infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs) can make your vagina hurt due to the bacteria. They may cause a burning sensation while urinating or cause discomforting pain down there.
