Under normal circumstances, there should be no pain in the vagina that we feel. Therefore, when we feel any pain in the vagina, we need to find out what is the cause of the pain. It is important to see a doctor, especially if the pain interferes with daily activities.
Here are some causes of vaginal pain that could occur in addition to the infection we discussed in the previous article.
- Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is caused by a deficiency of the estrogen hormone and is common in postmenopausal women. Estrogen is a growth hormone that increases vaginal blood flow, vaginal wall thickness, and vaginal elasticity and lubrication. When there is not enough estrogen circulating through the body, whether from birth control pills, breastfeeding, or menopause, pain from vaginal dryness can be felt.
If you think your vagina is drier, see your doctor for topical medication, or perhaps change your current birth control method.
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
According to the Cleveland Clinic, pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition in which the stage floor muscles cannot be controlled. This can cause pain in women during intercourse. Pelvic floor dysfunction can be caused by traumatic injury to the area, muscle overuse, pelvic surgery, obesity, aging, and childbirth.
If you often feel the urge to go to the toilet, are constipated, have difficulty urinating, or have pain when urinating in addition to pelvic pain, consider seeing a doctor. Pelvic floor dysfunction is usually treated with physical therapy, it can also be remedied with medication and relaxation techniques.
- Vulvodynia
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, vulvodynia is chronic vaginal pain with no apparent cause experienced by nine percent of women worldwide. Vulvodynia generally causes discomfort during intercourse or even when inserting a tampon. However, some people feel that the pain is spontaneous and not related in any way to sex or touching the area. This pain comes and goes around.
Vulvodynia is not well understood yet, but doctors think the pain comes from extra nerve fibers on the outside of the vagina and vulva, the weakest part of the vagina. Vulvodynia is often treated with topical medications such as lidocaine.
- Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when uterine tissue grows in places outside the uterus, such as in the pelvic region, abdomen, and even the lungs. According to the Office on Women's Health, this disease usually occurs in people in their thirties or forties.
This condition causes chronic inflammation and scarring around the tissue, which could cause a variety of pains, such as very painful menstrual cramps, chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis, pain during or after sex, intestinal pain, and pain during bowel or bladder. Endometriosis also causes bleeding or spotting between periods, infertility, and digestive problems, such as constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.
If the vaginal pain is accompanied by any of these other symptoms, talk to your doctor. Treatment usually includes hormone therapy or surgery to remove the tissue that causes the pain.
- Fallopian tube inflammation
Pelvic inflammatory disease, such as an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, is another inflammatory condition that could cause vaginal pain. This is because pelvic inflammatory disease could cause scarring of the pelvic organs, or it can cause the pelvic organs to stick together, inducing chronic discomfort and pain.
Pelvic inflammatory disease often results from untreated sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. However, other types of infections can also cause this condition. To cure the infection, the doctor will usually give antibiotics.
- Cervical cancer
Pelvic pain, along with abnormal bleeding and vaginal discharge, is a symptom of cervical cancer. If you're experiencing these symptoms and haven't had a Pap smear in the past year, talk to your doctor about your condition. The best way to prevent cervical cancer is through regular screening and the HPV vaccine. Depending on the type and stage, cervical cancer is usually treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
Talking about vaginal pain can sometimes be uncomfortable (although it shouldn't be!). However, talking to a health professional is key to solving this problem.
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Source:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2010). Management of endometriosis (Practice Bulletin No. 114): News release. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 116(1), 223–236
Cleveland Clinic. (2020). Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. Cleveland Clinic. [online]. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14459-pelvic-floor-dysfunction
Editors Of Women's Health. (2022). Why Does My Vagina Hurt? 12 Possible Reasons For Pain Down There, According To Doctors. Woman's Health. [online]. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19909207/vagina-pain/
Office of Women's Health. (2021). Endometriosis. Women's Health. [online]. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis