Why Is My Vagina Sore

Why Is My Vagina Sore

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September 15, 2021 / Women's Health
Vaginal pain can be caused by infections, cysts or other conditions

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Menstrual pain is no picnic, but pain and discomfort down there that’s not related to your monthly cycle can be even more upsetting. It might leave you wondering what the heck is causing it and what you should do about it .

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Whether your vagina hurts a little or a lot, you shouldn’t just ignore it. The pain could be coming from your actual vagina (the internal organ) or from the labia and skin that form your vulva (your outside genitalia).
“Many women think it’s all the same thing,” says women’s health specialist, Jessica Strasburg, MD . “To a lot of people, your vagina includes the vagina and the vulva,” she says. “But the cause of these types of pain are very different.”
“While your mind may go straight to cancer, that’s rarely a cause,” she says. So where does that leave you?
Both yeast and genital herpes infections are vulvar conditions that can cause the kind of vagina pain we’re talking about.
Yeast infections cause swelling, itching and pain, especially during sex or urination. Yeast infections can be triggered by antibiotics. Herpes is considered a sexually transmitted disease. A herpes infection causes raw, painful sores that lasts from 3 to 14 days. Contact with urine exacerbates the discomfort.
Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including gonorrhea , chlamydia and trichomoniasis , can also cause vaginal pain, itching and burning.
In many cases, you can treat a yeast infection with over-the-counter medication. But see your doctor if the problem persists. STDs require prescription drugs. If you are diagnosed with an STD, your partner will also need testing and treatment to prevent reinfection.
This condition can make you miserable. Your doctor may diagnose vulvodynia if you have vulvar pain that lasts for at least three months.
The underlying cause is unknown, but the condition prompts painful intercourse and sensations of rawness, throbbing, burning, stinging and itching. In other words, it’s not pleasant.
“Vulvodynia can really impact your life because you avoid intercourse, and it’s uncomfortable to wear certain types of clothing,” Dr. Strasburg says. “You feel like something is always wrong. It can cause great emotional distress.”
You can ease symptoms by wearing loose clothing and cotton underwear without seams. Change clothes after exercising and use topical lidocaine to ease pain during intercourse. Topical and oral medications prescribed by your physician can also treat vulvodynia as well as cognitive behavioral therapy.
These common cysts develop when the Bartholin glands responsible for vaginal lubrication become blocked. Many bartholin’s cysts don’t cause pain and don’t always require treatment.
These tender lumps at the vaginal opening may become pus-filled and painful with infection. You may notice the pain whether you’re sitting, walking or having sex.
Try sitting in a warm bath to ease your discomfort. “Talk to your doctor if pain or swelling persists. Surgical drainage or antibiotics may be necessary,” Dr. Strasburg says.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to that of your uterine lining grows in other areas of your pelvis. It’s a common cause of pelvic pain and can also lead to vaginal and vulvar pain.
Not only does this condition cause more painful periods and pain during sex, but it can also cause infertility. Other symptoms include:
These symptoms tend to worsen during periods.
Many studies show there is a small but increased risk of ovarian cancer in women with endometriosis. Be aware of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer, which include:
Notify your physician if you have these symptoms.
Over-the-counter pain medications may help ease your symptoms. If problems persist, your doctor may suggest hormone therapy or surgical options, including hysterectomy.
Pelvic discomfort can also lead to painful intercourse urinary and bowel dysfunction.
Many things can cause pelvic floor pain , so work with your doctor to pinpoint the culprit. A common cause is pelvic floor dysfunction or levator spasm, where pelvic floor muscles spasm as a reflex to other types of pain.
Pelvic congestion syndrome (similar to varicose veins, but in the pelvis) and irritation of the pudendal nerve (one of the main nerves in the pelvis) can also cause pelvic pain.
Ultimately, identifying whether there’s a pattern to your pain can help your doctor treat you.
“Pay attention to your symptoms and get them evaluated as soon as possible,” Dr. Strasburg says. “The most important thing is visiting the doctor. And, if you’re not seeing improvement, you might need to see a specialist.”

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There are several likely suspects that could be causing vaginal and pelvic pain, including infections, cysts or other conditions. Find out more about reasons for discomfort and what you can do about it.

Read about Vaginal Pain Causes and Treatment Relief Options
Resident in Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington
Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Resident in Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington
Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
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Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Some causes of vaginal itching or burning, such as yeast infections, are common and may be treated at home. But it’s still important to talk to a doctor to rule out other causes, such as infections and skin conditions.
A yellow pus vaginal discharge can be alarming. Many of its possible causes are common and can be self-treated, however, some causes are more serious and require a doctor's visit. Read below to learn 8 possible causes of yellow pus vaginal discharge and ways to treat it.
References Vaginitis. Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic Link Jobling P, O'Hara K, Hua S. Female reproductive tract pain: targets, challenges, and outcomes. Front Pharmacol. 2014;5:17. Published Feb. 13, 2014. NCBI Link Heim LJ. Evaluation of Differential Diagnosis of Dyspareunia. Am Fam Physician. 2001 Apr 15;63(8):1535-1545. AAFP Link Vaginal Symptoms. healthychildren.org. healthychildren.org Link Urinary Tract Infection - Female. Seattle Children's. Updated Nov. 3, 2018. Seattle Children's Link
Take a quiz to find out what's causing your pain.
There are multiple causes of vaginal pain, including infection, irritation or trauma. Learn how to cure vaginal pain by understanding causes and relief options.
Take a quiz to find out what's causing your pain.
Vaginal pain can be due to a variety of causes. Something as simple as irritation from shaving or soreness after sexual intercourse can cause vaginal pain symptoms. Various infections, including urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause vaginal pain as well.
Some causes of vaginal pain symptoms can be treated or prevented at home by following some basic hygiene instructions. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter medications. Other causes of vaginal pain, including all sexually transmitted infections, will need to be evaluated and treated by a doctor. The risk of sexually transmitted infections can be greatly reduced by the proper use of condoms.
If you're experiencing vaginal pain, it's likely to also experience:
There are multiple causes of vaginal pain , including infection, irritation, or trauma. Viral and bacterial infections, whether sexually transmitted or not, can cause lesions, pain, discharge, or itching. Yeast infections and urinary tract infections may also cause vaginal pain . Irritation from shaving, hygiene products, or vaginal dryness can lead to pain as well. Less commonly, vaginal pain symptoms are due to trauma or a vaginal pain syndrome.
Vaginal pain may be caused by the following infections.
Take a quiz to find out what's causing your pain.
Causes related to irritation of the vagina may be related to the following.
Other causes of vaginal pain may be related to the following.
This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.
A vaginal yeast infection , also called genital/vulvovaginal candidiasis, is actually caused by the fungus Candida albicans and is very common. The organism is a normal inhabitant of the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina.
Antibiotics can kill off the healthy bacteria in the vagina, allowing overgrowth of the fungus. Women who are pregnant, on the birth control pill, or diabetic are more prone to yeast infections, as are those who have weakened immune systems. It can also be transmitted through sex or through mouth-to-genital contact.
Symptoms include itching, burning, pain, and soreness inside the vagina and on the external tissues (the vulva,) and a thick, white vaginal discharge.
If not treated, the yeast infection can become "complicated," severe, and difficult to cure.
Most yeast infections are diagnosed simply through the patient's description of symptoms. Recurrent infections may be diagnosed through pelvic examination and vaginal swab.
Treatment often is just an over-the-counter cream, though oral anti-fungal medications are sometimes prescribed.
Vulvar cancer is a cancer of the outer portion of the female genitalia.
You should schedule a visit with your primary care physician as soon as possible to discuss the possibility of this diagnosis. It is likely a biopsy will be taken.
Top Symptoms: vaginal discharge, vaginal itch or burning, vaginal pain, painful urination, vagina lump
Lichen sclerosus is a rare skin condition that can occur on any part of the body but usually affects the vulva, penis, and anus.
The cause is unknown. It may be an autoimmune disease linked to a hormone imbalance and may start with skin that was previously damaged.
Lichen sclerosus is not contagious and is not considered an STD (sexually transmitted disease.)
Most susceptible are children; women after menopause; and uncircumcised men.
Symptoms include thin, fragile skin with patches of white. There may be pain and severe itching, sometimes with bruising, bleeding, and ulceration.
It is important to seek treatment from a medical provider, because lichen sclerosus has been associated with skin cancer. It can also make sexual intercourse very painful for both men and women.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination and skin biopsy.
In children, symptoms often improve at puberty. For mild cases in adults, no treatment is necessary. But if the condition interferes with quality of life, corticosteroid creams can be tried. In some cases, circumcision is recommended for male patients.
Top Symptoms: vaginal itch or burning, vaginal pain, painful sex, dry skin on the outside of the vagina, painful urination
Take a quiz to find out what's causing your pain.
The Bartholin gland sits in the outer part of the vagina and produces fluid that lubricates it. A Bartholin duct abscess is caused by a blockage in the gland and a bacterial infection within the fluid that builds up.
You should see your doctor tomorrow for a visit, where you can conduct an exam and perform a drainage, if appropriate.
Top Symptoms: vaginal pain, painful sex, bump on the outer part of the vagina, painful vagina lump, small vagina lump
Symptoms that always occur with bartholin duct abscess: bump on the outer part of the vagina, vaginal pain
The Bartholin gland sits in the outer part of the vagina and produces fluid that lubricates it. A Bartholin cyst is caused by a blockage in the gland and the build up of fluid behind the blockage.
For small Bartholin cysts that are not bothering you, treatment is not required.
The best ways to manage or prevent vaginal pain can begin at home. Consider the following options.
If your vaginal pain worsens or persists, you should see your doctor. He or she may recommend the following.
If you have severe vaginal pain , seek treatment right away.
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When it comes to life's big questions, " Why is my vagina sore ?" ranks somewhere up there with "Why do bad things happen to good people?" and "Why do you always need scissors to open the plastic casing that new scissors come in?" An inexplicable ache in your ladybits can make it hard to think about anything else — and not only because you can't enjoy all the fun vaginal activities you normally like to engage in, but because vaginal pain can feel lonely, isolating, and scary. What if it's a serious health issue that's making your vagina sore ? What if sex hurts permanently now? What if it's something your doctor has never heard of or seen before, and there's no cure, and your only option for the rest of your life will be to abstain completely from genital stimulation, wear sweatpants at all times, and only sit on bolster pillows? (Actually, that sounds kind of comfy and awesome, aside from the vaginal pain part.)
Hold your horses/vaginas there, young lady — while vaginal soreness is indeed unpleasant, it's nothing to be so scared about. And it's definitely not rare. In fact, complaints of vaginal pain account for the vast majority of reasons that women seek professional gynecological treatment . Your achy breaky vagina is not a lost cause, it's nothing to be embarrassed about, and it's definitely nothing your gynecologist hasn't seen before — honestly, you're probably the third person with mysterious pains that your doctor has seen today. Nothing you can tell your doctor will surprise them , so be as honest and as open with them as you can.
So if even the most mundane sex leaves your vagina feeling like a mile of scorched highway road — or if you feel soreness without having any sex at all — check out the list below of seven c ommon sources of vaginal soreness , and then contact your doctor. I swear, you and your vag will be on the mend sooner than you can say "unexplained burning sensation."
Almost all of us get a yeast infection from time to time — in fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, three quarters of women will experience at least one yeast infection in their life (I don't know who these one quarter of women are who have never had a yeast infection, but I truly wish them well and do not have the overpowering urge to pelt them with yogurt and cloves of garlic). Since you have probably had at least one yeast infection in the past, you may feel like you can rule out a yeast infection as the cause of your vaginal misery, since you aren't experiencing any of that tell-tale chunky white discharge or itchiness.
But it's a myth that all yeast infections involve discharge, or feeling so raw that it burns when you pee — sometimes, yeast infection symptoms can be as simple as irritation at the opening of the vagina, swelling of the vagina, or even just a sore feeling inside the vagina. So if you sex that used to feel fun now feels like you're getting ripped open, don't write off yeast infections just because you don't have discharge — instead, get checked out by your doctor.
Remember how in gym class, some kids would just flinch any time a kickball came anywhere near them? Well, vaginismus is basically the vaginal version of that flinching. A woman with vaginismus (also know as pelvic floor tension myalgia) suffers from involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, which are the muscles that control your vaginal opening. This involuntary tightening can make inserting anything from a large dildo to a junior absorbency tampon a painful ordeal, resulting in mild to severe pain during and after penetration.
For some, vaginismus is a lifelong affliction; for others, it arrives one day, seemingly out of nowhere. So what are the most common vaginismus causes ? Vaginismus is usually a reaction to some trauma your vagina has experienced — say, a partner who penetrated you too quickly or too hard in the past.
The good news is the vaginismus is not incurable — once a doctor determines that you have vaginismus, they can help you learn a set of exercises that will allow you to relax your vagina when you want to.
Though soreness in your vagina may make you immediately think of genital herpes , that's actually just one of several STIs that can cause vaginal pain . Chlamydia and trichomoniasis can both cause vaginal soreness, too. There are up to 3 million cases of chlamydia reported in the U.S. every year, and pain during sex is one of the most common symptoms among infected women. And trichomoniasis is just as common, with more than 3 million people reportedly contracting the disease in the U.S. each year — and soreness and itching in the vagina are among the most common trichomoniasis symptoms .
Chlamydia and trichomoniasis can be easily and permanently cured with a doctor's treatment; and while there is no cure for herpes, a doctor can prescribe medication that can help control your outbreaks, and thus give you happier ladyparts overall. So don't just sit there aching and freaking out alone; talk to a pro.
You may remember vulvodynia as "the reason Charlotte had to keep that vagina diary on that one episode of Sex and the City ." But despite that episode's many "depressed vagina" jokes, vulvodynia doesn't mean that your vagina is hanging around listening to Morrissey records and writing tortur
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