Are you feeling a little uncomfortable down there? Do you type of really feel prefer it’s on hearth? In the event you’ve handled a swollen vagina or vulva, you recognize how irritating — and a little bit scary — it may be. You are in all probability questioning what’s taking place, why it is taking place, and when you ought to fear. Or, to the final level, you are in all probability already worrying however surprise when you ought to actually panic.
There are a number of causes that delicate space of your physique is perhaps swollen. Luckily, they are not all that critical, and a few can resolve rapidly — you may simply be tremendous uncomfortable for just a few days. To be taught extra, Scary Mommy requested Dr. Meg Galaske, co-founder and CMO of Trace Femcare, Inc., to clarify why your vagina or vulva is perhaps swollen and when to name a health care provider.
What are the explanations a vulva or vagina could also be swollen?
Based on Galaske, there are 4 principal causes it’s possible you’ll expertise swelling of the vulva/vagina (additionally known as vulvovaginitis):
1. An infection
“When the vulva and/or vagina swell resulting from an infection, it’s as a result of insult (micro organism, yeast, and many others.) being acknowledged and fought by the physique,” Galaske says. “The physique is tremendous good and is aware of precisely attempt to rid an infection; subsequently, it sends an inflammatory cascade of indicators by the bloodstream to the affected tissue.”
Although it is the identical course of as while you get an an infection in different components of the physique, extra minor insults could trigger extra irritation within the vagina or vulva as a result of these areas are extra delicate. Factors out Galaske, these areas come “with extra nerve endings and bigger capillary beds that change into engorged with blood (bear in mind, the physique is making an attempt to get these indicators there!).”
Additionally, a particular mucosa traces the vagina that may be “extra delicate to sure insults, in addition to a particular microflora that’s often balanced to maintain you cheerful and wholesome and doesn’t wish to be disturbed by international micro organism, viruses, or yeast,” she says.
Totally different infections trigger all various kinds of irritation, from common swelling to redness, dryness, discharge, and even lesions. “STIs resembling gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and HPV, in addition to typical vulvovaginal infections resembling yeast (candida albicans) and micro organism (often gardnerella vaginalis), and pores and skin infections resembling staph and strep could cause vulvovaginal irritation, swelling, itching, and even ache,” Galaske says.
Even when it is one thing that you just assume might be minor otherwise you wish to strive treating at residence, Galaske warns not treating a few of these infections can have long-term penalties. “Untreated, one thing milder, resembling a yeast an infection, could also be irritating and annoying over the long run, and one thing extra critical, resembling gonorrhea, could cause everlasting scarring of the uterus,” she says. “HSV left untreated could cause painful lesions, recurring over a lifetime. And, after all, HPV can result in cervical most cancers. Every of those displays is exclusive and requires each an excellent historical past and bodily examination, in addition to often some lab testing, to find out the trigger and one of the best course of therapy. Generally, it might be able to be handled at residence, as talked about above, and typically it requires an antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal remedy.”
2. Irritation
“This could happen each on the pores and skin and intravaginally, often attributable to sensitivities to clothes, interval merchandise, or topicals used on the realm,” Galaske says. “This could be a lengthy record — from fibers or ending chemical substances utilized in underwear and interval merchandise to lubes and washes.”
Swelling resulting from irritation is often known as contact dermatitis, which is within the eczema household, explains Galaske, “so assume actually itchy, pink, bothersome swelling. It is a comparable course of to an infection, with the physique sending messages to the tissue by the blood; nevertheless, it’s by a unique cascade of chemical substances with completely different receptors within the tissue. On this case, cells known as mast cells come into contact with an allergen, which makes them launch histamine. That is the chemical that makes itchiness and swelling happen.”
One of these vulvovaginitis often responds properly to eradicating the set off, says Galaske, though that may typically be tough to nail down. If extreme, you possibly can deal with the swelling resulting from irritation with gentle topical pure lotion (externally solely). Nonetheless, she warns you must keep away from steroids within the genital space (“So do not use your hydrocortisone hand cream for itchiness down there!”). A cooling pack could also be utilized, “however by no means maintain it on lengthy sufficient for the pores and skin to get numb — you possibly can trigger nerve/pores and skin harm.”
3. Minor Trauma
Repeated gentle trauma to the realm could cause swelling, as properly, cautions Galaske. “This is perhaps from biking, horseback using, or extra enjoyable actions, like sexual activity.”
4. Arousal
Lastly, it ought to be famous that the vulva and vagina swell in response to sexual stimuli. “Blood flows to the realm, making the tissue swell and really feel heat and even tingly,” Galaske factors out. She provides that any such physiological swelling is “regular and can resolve with removing of the stimulus.”
How can I deal with a swollen vagina/vulva at residence?
Based on Galaske, you may see enchancment with out doing something, resembling trauma from using a motorcycle resolving when you take just a few days off. However another causes require further love and care. “The most important factor you are able to do to assist your vulvovaginitis is to depart it alone,” she says. “All these further ‘pH-balanced’ washes, lotions, and lotions are literally dangerous to the particular microflora that retains your tender pores and skin/intravaginal mucosa comfortable and wholesome. Your vagina is begging you to return to simply gentle unscented cleaning soap on the skin, nothing on the within, or higher but, simply water in all places!”
Galaske notes it could take just a few weeks to really feel higher, “however your physique is hella good and can determine it out! In the event you do not see enchancment, see in case your underwear, clothes, sexual wellness, or interval merchandise are the wrongdoer.” She suggests taking a break or switching merchandise and seeing what occurs.
The very last thing she advises is to cease making an attempt “wild” OTC remedies on your vagina. “For instance, boric acid could assist in some conditions, however overuse could be horrendous!” she stresses. “Simply since you noticed it labored for another person on TikTok doesn’t suggest it must be anyplace close to your most delicate space.”
When ought to I see a health care provider?
“If in case you have extended irritation, vaginal discharge that has a robust odor or completely different consistency than you are used to, seen vulvovaginal lesions, irregular bleeding, or different signs, you must seek the advice of your healthcare supplier, as this might imply an infection or sensitivity that wants therapy,” Galaske says.
