Pain in the vagina and on the external genitalia is most often the result of infection. But there may also be other reasons indicating the presence of malfunctions in the body. Sometimes such troubles are formed due to diseases of a completely different organ. The main reasons and what to do with them are described below.
Causes
It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to the question of why the vagina hurts, since several factors can also serve for the appearance of such a problem, which are also divided into groups:
1. Infectious diseases and their complications - very often pains of this kind are associated with gynecological problems and the presence of diseases.
- Vaginitis is an inflammatory process of the vagina in a chronic or acute form. The causative agents of the disease often become any pathogenic microorganisms (chlamydia, gonococcus, fungi and Trichomonas). Very often, the disease is formed due to regular hormonal disruptions.
- Adhesions in the pelvis - this problem is a frequent factor in the development of the problem. When adhesions, the vagina and lower abdomen hurts. Problems often worsen during sex.
- Endometriosis is a pathology of the inner layer of the uterine mucosa. With the disease, endometrial particles are formed in atypical places: the muscle layer of the uterus, ovaries, peritoneum and internal organs.
- Cystitis is an inflammatory process localized in the bladder.
- Urethritis is an inflammation of the tissues of the urethra.
2. Noncommunicable diseases and pathologies include the following problems:
- Postpartum sutures, injuries, or cuts.
- Malignant cysts and fibroids on the pelvic organs.
- Uterine prolapse, as well as severe pelvic floor weakness.
- Stagnation of venous blood, such a pathology is provoked by prolonged abstinence and irregular sexual relations.
- Minimal hydration of the vagina. During menopause, such a pathology is associated with a small release of estrogen, and in younger girls, the problem is formed due to a lack of arousal.
- Postpartum tears that affect the area of the vagina, vulva and uterus.
- Incorrect stitching provokes the formation of coarse scar tissue, which also causes pain.
- Retroversion, namely the bending of the uterus, is a so-called anatomical pathology, in which the position of the uterus is shifted relative to other organs.
- Vaginal atrophy makes itself felt during menopause, since there is a period of cessation of menstruation, there is a lack of estrogen.
- Physical incompatibility is very rare, but still causes pain in the vagina.
- The presence of foreign bodies - uterine rings, tampons not in size.
- Prolapse is the prolapse of the uterus and vaginal walls.
- Kraurosis of the vulva - age-related changes in all external genital organs.
- Health problems of neighboring organs, so the pain radiates to the vagina.
- Various genital injuries - careless sexual intercourse, improper douching, diagnostic curettage and abortion.
Psychology
In addition to various diseases and pathologies, psychological problems can cause pain in the moment when a woman at a psychological level does not want intimacy:
- Fear of sex is a common cause. After the first unsuccessful contact, the woman remains anxious with further partners. This can be explained by the rudeness of the partner, lack of love, the possibility of becoming pregnant or other psychological factors that make it so difficult for a woman to relax. A woman can overcome pains in the vagina during sex on her own only when she removes all fears. If this does not work out, then it is advised to resort to the help of a sexologist or psychologist.
- Vaginismus - this disease is often considered a complication after defloration. A woman can not resist the fear of sexual intercourse and therefore involuntary contractions of the muscles of the vagina are caused, and this interferes with a full sexual intercourse.
- Self-doubt and low self-esteem - when a woman considers herself unattractive for a partner, for example, because of excess weight or other physical problems, she cannot completely relax and become aroused. As a result, the vagina is not hydrated enough, and pain forms in the vagina during sex.
Nature of pain
The female vagina is quite sensitive, since there are many nerve endings there, and they acutely respond to various pains. Very often, discomfort can also give in other parts of the body - the upper abdomen, lower back, side or leg. The main point is the definition of the cause of soreness in the vagina, after which you can only make a diagnosis and carry out the necessary therapy.
If there are aching or pulling pains in the vagina, then every woman must understand that this is not normal, and sometimes life threatening enough. The most common types of pain are:
- Sharp or acute - is formed during injuries in the genitals, adjacent organs and medical interventions. Cramps can be present directly in the vagina and redirected to other zones, given across, upper or lower abdomen, to the leg or lower back.
- Aching or stitching - manifested due to inflammatory diseases.
- Drawing - occurs both with certain infectious ailments, and with prolapse of the walls of the vagina, cicatricial changes and abnormal processes.
- Irradiating (giving) - very often it is not associated with gynecological ailments, but is formed due to pathological changes in adjacent organs. The localization and intensity of such pain often depends on the organ in which the problem is located.
Who to contact?
In order to get an answer to the question “Why does the vagina hurt?”, You need to contact specialists such as:
- sexologist;
- gynecologist;
- psychiatrist.
Although sometimes it is difficult for these doctors to determine the cause, therefore, in these cases, you need to contact other specialists for diagnosis:
- urologist;
- proctologist;
- endocrinologist;
- neurologist.
Joint diagnosis helps to accurately diagnose and select the most suitable treatment program to eliminate the true cause of the appearance of pain in the vagina.
Accompanying symptoms
Often pain is the only sign of a disease. Although various pathologies are characterized by other symptoms:
- Itching, burning - indicate the formation of an inflammatory process.
- Violation of urination and stool - this symptom indicates the involvement and pathological process of adjacent organs.
- When there is discharge and the vagina hurts, there can be several reasons. If the discharge is mucous in nature, then this indicates inflammation caused by viruses or endometriosis. In the case of purulent and thick, we can talk about the presence of a microbial infection.
- Bleeding - indicates diseases of various origins, ranging from trauma to tumor decay.
- Infertility - often triggered by adhesions in the abdominal cavity, ovarian pathologies, genital tumors, and endometriosis.
- Tingling of the vagina.
Woman's feelings
With pain, a representative of the fair sex can experience both minor and subtle discomfort. But this is most likely an exception than a pattern. Very often inside the vagina it hurts extremely severely and painfully.
Dagger and quite sharp pain occurs with organ injuries. Another such condition can provoke recent operations, as well as manipulations on the gynecological chair.
In the inflammatory process in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, the girl describes the pain in the vagina as aching and stitching.
When the walls of the vagina are lowered, downward sensations will be felt.
For any unpleasant symptoms, it is necessary to visit a doctor in order to establish the cause of the disease.
Pain during and after sex
Many women have this problem. The causes of unpleasant sensations during intercourse are different:
- Soreness when trying to introduce the penis is most often caused by the presence of an inflammatory process in the vagina, namely cicatricial changes, bartholinitis and endometriosis of the cervix or perineum.
- Contact pain during intercourse is formed due to benign and malignant tumors or developmental abnormalities.
- With minimal excitability of a woman and a not very good relation to sex, the glands begin to secrete a meager amount of secretion that moisturizes the mucous membrane, so intercourse is difficult and the vagina hurts after sex. Also, problems with dryness are present in women of the elderly pre-climatic age, although in this situation this problem is associated with the absence of sex hormones responsible for regulating the functions of the glands.
- Adhesive process in the small pelvis, formed after inflammation of the genital organs and surgical interventions, is often the cause of pain. This is very clearly manifested at the time of deep penetration.
- Painful sex can be expressed by sharp pains, burning sensations, scratches and tingling.
- If immediately after intercourse there is acute pain, a feeling of pressure on the rectum and a violation of the general condition of the woman, this indicates a rupture of the ovarian tissue.
Therefore, if it hurts inside the vagina, then this, of course, should make a woman think and become the main reason for going to the doctor. No need to self-medicate and rely on the fact that everything will pass by itself. Therefore, it is recommended to find out the cause and timely eliminate it:
- hormonal changes;
- climatic period;
- insufficient lubrication of the vagina.
Immediate vaginal pain is more often present due to hormonal changes after childbirth. During this period, there is insufficient production of sex hormones of estrogen - this is due to breastfeeding. These features of the female body lead to insufficient lubrication (lubrication) or degenerative changes in the vaginal mucosa. To eliminate the problem, experts recommend the use of gels for intimate purposes (lubricants), as they help eliminate dryness in the vagina. After breastfeeding, such symptoms most often end on their own.
Pregnancy
Very often during this wonderful period, the fair sex can have pain below the vagina. This is manifested due to hormonal changes, as well as during exacerbations of certain chronic diseases. In any case, if this still happens, then it should not be left without attention from the woman, as well as her doctor who is conducting the pregnancy. Often the pains do not come on their own, at this moment pulling sensations in the abdomen and blood discharge are noted, therefore it is necessary to consult a doctor as quickly as possible, since these symptoms indicate an impending miscarriage.
Vaginal discharge
Sometimes pain symptoms are by no means a gynecological nature. In this case, the cause of the symptoms is a disease of nearby organs:
- The intestine, together with its constipation, can strongly give back lumbago to the vagina. Problems with the stool may indicate the cause of the problem.
- Bladder disease often manifests itself as if the pain comes from the perineum. Difficult and painful urination will be an important clue to indicate the diagnosis.
- The defeat of the lower spine manifests itself with strong backache, and then goes to the anus and vagina.
Diagnostics
In order for doctors to be able to make an accurate diagnosis and explain why the vagina hurts after sex and not only, they carry out the following actions:
- Survey - based on the patient’s explanations and complaints, the doctor may suggest an ailment that provokes unpleasant sensations, and also understands what to do next.
- Examination - in general, externally and on a gynecological chair, this will undoubtedly help determine the presence of secretions and understand their nature, and in some cases, you can consider the focus of the inflammatory process.
- Laboratory tests are prescribed based on the disease, which is supposed to be a doctor. These are general urine and blood tests, as they can determine the presence of inflammation in the body. A smear of secretions contains the culprit of the disease, namely pathogenic bacteria. Doctors prescribe hormone tests if necessary. Blood is also taken from a vein for the presence of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis.
- Ultrasound (ultrasound) of the pelvic organs - this diagnosis very extensively shows the state of the organs of the reproductive system and accurately indicates the cause of pain in the walls of the vagina. The monitor clearly shows the problem areas, tumors, adhesions and various changes in the female genital organs. Therefore, this type of diagnosis is considered extensive and indicative.
Treatment
For therapy, first of all, you need to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist. He will prescribe the necessary diagnostics, after which you can determine what the problem really is. If the cause of the disease is not within his competence, then he will be redirected to another specialist.
When the entrance to the vagina hurts, it is most often prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to relieve symptoms. To eliminate the cause of the disease are used:
- antibiotics - cope with a microbial infection in the genitals;
- antiviral drugs, preference is given to “Acyclovir” - required for the treatment of genital herpes;
- hormones - they contain a huge range of substances that cope with the treatment of various diseases;
- chemotherapeutic components - help in the complex treatment of various tumors.
If the stomach and vagina are sore, then very often the problems are removed surgically. Thanks to such methods, tumors are removed, ovarian apoplexy, endometriosis are treated, and adhesions are destroyed.
Prevention
Very often, all the discomfort in the vagina is the result of some kind of disease. Therefore, their early diagnosis and treatment to the doctor will help get rid of complications. The exit gate for pathogens is such a common disease as cervical erosion, as the problem constantly supports inflammatory processes in the body. Therefore, as a prophylaxis, a woman should undergo gynecological examinations every six months, and if the onset of the disease is detected, then treat on time. To determine the problem, the doctor will send for ultrasound, bacterial cultures, smears on the flora and, if necessary, other studies.
In the event of discomfort associated with psychological reasons, the woman should not close herself and endure intolerable pain. It is required to consult a specialist in time, this problem is dealt not only by a gynecologist, but also by a psychotherapist and sexologist.
Do not delay the treatment of neighboring organs, since pathologies in them can harm the female reproductive system. Therefore, in case of any discomfort, it is required to consult a doctor on time.
Regular preventive examinations by a gynecologist and other specialists can help prevent the onset of the disease, as patients may not be aware of it.
Effects
If you do not treat various pains in the vagina, then this is fraught with serious problems.
First of all, it is the constant discomfort caused by itching, burning and secretions, which also may not smell very good. Every woman who by default leaves problems with the reproductive system runs the risk of infertility, which is often not treated further. The presence of inflammatory processes can also go to neighboring organs, thereby causing enormous harm to the body. When pain problems are caused by tumors or dangerous microorganisms, it is fatal.
Everyone cares about his life and must decide for himself whether he needs such problems.