Why Is My Vagina Swollen After Sex

Why Is My Vagina Swollen After Sex
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There's nothing like a toe-curling romp to leave you feeling oooh- oooooh so good. That is until you detangle your bodies, roll over to the other side of the bed to cool down, and realize your vagina is swollen AF.
Is she supposed to be that red? That plump? That...irritated?
As you've probably guessed, the answer is heck no. But (keyword here!) there's no reason to spiral into a tizzy over a swollen vagina because, although you and your friends might not talk about it on the reg, it's actually pretty common and usually easily manageable. (Phew.)
Curious about what's going on with your vag? One gyno answers all:
So what does a swollen vagina after mean? Turns out, there are a handful of reasons for that post-coital puffiness—here, the possible culprits, plus how to treat:
Here's the thing: Every time you get turned on, your vulva and vagina begin to swell because of all the amped up blood flow down there, according to the Cleveland Clinic .
But if you notice other symptoms, such as thin cuts around the vaginal opening—that might mean the swelling et. al. is actually due to a rougher-than-usual sex sesh. If this is the case, you might also experience a bit of bleeding and find that the area is a little black and blue, explains Alyssa Dweck , MD, ob-gyn in Westchester, New York, and coauthor of V Is for Vagina .
There's no reason to call it quits if rough sex is your thing, but you don't want to leave an unhappy vagina, well, unhappy.
To ease the swollen sitch, take an OTC pain reliever, or soak your genital area in a sitz bath (a shallow bath that fits over the toilet made for treating down-there probs). Or sit in a regular bath filled with warm water for about 15 to 20 minutes, Dr. Dweck recommends.
Upon further examination, you notice that your red, swollen vagina has a...rash.
It's very possible your vagina is having an allergic reaction or has a sensitivity to a product, such as a latex condom, or even sperm, Dr. Dweck says. (A semen allergy , a.k.a. seminal plasma hypersensitivity, is a rare allergic reaction to the proteins found in semen that can cause redness, swelling, pain, itching, and burning in the genital area, according to the International Society for Sexual Medicine .)
More often than not, however, after-sex swelling is the result of your body's sensitivity or allergy to common irritants, such as products with spermicide (nonoxynol 9), fragrances, latex, and vaginal medications.
To figure out what's going on, Dr. Dweck recommends first eliminating any of these items that you've been using and observe how your body responds.
Two words nearly every women dreads hearing. But sorry, girl, but if you're swollen down under, yeast might be to blame.
First, a quick refresher: Caused by an overgrowth of the fungus candida ( which is naturally found in your vagina, btw) , a vaginal yeast infection is best known for its common symptom of, to put it lightly, extreme itchiness in and around the vagina, according to the Office of Women's Health .
If you suspect this is your first time with a yeast infection , it's best to consult your doc, who can screen you for other problems to be sure. If it's truly a yeast infection, they can prescribe strong, fast-acting anti-fungal meds.
But if you've been here before and are positive your swelling (and other circumstances) are because yet another yeast infection, skip the office visit and try an OTC anti-fungal treatment, like Monistat.
This condition happens when there is too much of a certain bacteria in your vagina, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While similar in symptoms to yeast infections (pain, itching, burning, and, yup, inflammation and swelling), bacterial vaginosis (BV) typically causes a discharge that is gray, thin, and fishy-smelling, says Dr. Dweck. That being said, BV can also be asymptomatic, meaning it doesn't produce any symptoms (aside from the swelling you already noticed).
BV can technically go away without any treatment, per the CDC . But if you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, get checked by a doc, who can prescribe antibiotics to treat the issue.
Having sex when you're dealing with a Sahara situation down there ( no shame!) can leave your vagina red and painfully swollen.
The issue could be the result of not enough foreplay, but low estrogen levels due to menopause, perimenopause, lactation, or birth control can also cause vaginal dryness and atrophy [thinning, drying, inflammation of the vaginal wall], says Dr. Dweck.
If it's the latter, your vag may also feel somewhat thin, abraded, and inelastic, she adds.
To fix, start by bringing lube into the bedroom, simply to increase moisture and decrease swelling-causing friction. If that doesn't help, consider visiting your doctor—if low estrogen is truly to blame, they may recommend treatment, such as taking additional estrogen.
Certain STIs that, per Dr. Dweck, cause "tissue inflammation"—such as chlamydia and trichomoniasis —can cause vaginal swelling.
While chlamydia frequently doesn't cause symptoms, trichomoniasis is a common offender of a reddened, swollen vulva that can also lead to bleeding after sex, irritation, odor, and, per the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), a yellow-gray or green discharge that may also smell fishy.
All you need to treat, per ACOG , is a single dose of an oral antibiotic, so if anything of these symptoms show up with the swelling after sex, see your gyno, stat.
And disclaimer? Regular STI screenings are always a good idea.
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissues that may cause the skin to become swollen, red, and tender, according to U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Cellulitis can happen when, say, normal bacteria that lives on your skin enters through a cut or break in your derm layer, thereby causing a skin infection.
So while sex doesn't cause this swelling, getting frisky can certainly aggravate it and even bring it to your attention, especially if swelling continues to increase (meaning the infection is spreading).
Other tell-tale signs of cellulitis? Fever, nausea, vomiting, and a warm-to-touch, tight, glossy, or stretched appearance of skin. Relief includes antibiotics (so call your doc!) and using a warm compress on the area, Dr. Dweck explains.
Hopefully this isn't the cause of your after-sex vaginal swelling unless you're trying for a baby. But it can be a common one: Thanks to all the hormonal changes brought on when you're expecting, your body starts to swell in a variety of different places—your vagina included.
During pregnancy, there's also increased blood flow and pressure from the uterus, which can amp up this swelling, according to the Office of Women's Health .
Once you ensure that the inflammation isn't caused by, say, an infection, you can treat allover puffiness by avoiding prolonged standing and wearing compression socks or support stockings.
Yep, compression socks can help you have a less swollen vagina after sex. Who knew?!

By Esha Iyer July 27, 2020 Posted July 27, 2020
© 2019 Creative Expansions, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Vaginal health is an important thing to think about, especially after intercourse. And a swollen vagina might be warning you that something is wrong.
It's not as if you need to know the benefits of intercourse to enjoy a good tumble. In any case, it does release a lot of stress. And once it's done, rolling over to catch your breath and cool down can be just as relaxing. But then you feel like there's something wrong and there's plumpness you feel in your vagina. Looking down, it seems red, swollen and causes irritation. Is it supposed to be that way?
Not exactly. There are many causes for vaginal swelling after intercourse. Some might be nothing to worry about while some might warrant medical intervention. If you feel uncomfortable, visiting a doctor to clear up your doubts is advisable.
However, here are a few reasons why you might be experiencing swelling and redness down there:
If you find that accompanying your swollen vagina is a rash, then it could be that you are sensitive to something that comes in contact with your vagina. For example, you might be allergic to a brand of condoms or in some cases, even sperm. In order to find out what is causing the reaction, try eliminating some of the items you are using during intimacy and make note of how your body responds to it.
According to Medical News Today , intercourse can cause the vagina to swell but if the act takes places when the vagina is not lubricated enough, the friction can cause minor tears in the vaginal walls. This can lead to pain during intercourse which can also cause extra swelling later. Due to the minor tears, it also leaves you more vulnerable to infection.
Healthline states that your vagina requires a proper balance of good bacteria in the vagina to protect it. Those bacteria can battle bad bacteria and make sure your vagina is healthy. However, sometimes the bad bacteria can outnumber the good bacteria and cause a vaginal infection known as bacterial vaginosis. Of the symptoms that appear, swelling, redness, itchiness and a fishy odor from the vagina are some of them.
The most common symptom of a yeast infection is extreme itchiness in and around the vagina, according to the Office of Women's Health . As per Dr. Alyssa Dweck, a gynecologist in New York, the infection can give you redness and swelling that can make your vagina look "beefy, inflamed, and blistered," according to Women's Health Magazine .
Vaginal dryness starts to occur as you grow older. "The issue could be the result of not enough foreplay, but low estrogen levels due to menopause, perimenopause, lactation, or birth control can also cause vaginal dryness and atrophy [thinning, drying, inflammation of the vaginal wall]," says Dr. Dweck. This can also cause your vagina to feel thin or inelastic. This may lead to rough intercourse which could also cause the swelling.
In more severe cases, your vaginal swelling could be caused by an STD like chlamydia, trichomoniasis, genital herpes or gonorrhea. A reddened, swollen vulva can also lead to bleeding after being physically intimate, irritation, odor, and be a sign of an STD says the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) . If you notice this happening, you need to visit a doctor immediately to have it treated.
Though you may be facing menopause or may have already gone through it, a swollen vagina after intercourse may also be a sign of pregnancy. During pregnancy, increased blood flow and pressure from the uterus can increase the swelling in the vagina, according to the Office of Women's Health.
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The vagina and vulva are sensitive parts of the anatomy, and there are a number of reasons why either might experience swelling.

Swelling of the vagina , the inside part of the genital anatomy, can be related to an infection, a cyst, or even sexual arousal. Swelling of the vulva , the outside part of genital anatomy (including the labia minora and majora), can also have many causes. Chafing, infection, sex, or allergies can all be reasons for the vulva to swell.

There are a number of reasons why someone might end up with a swollen vagina or vulva. They can generally be broken down into infectious and non-infectious causes.

Infections are things like sexually transmitted diseases , yeast infections , and bacterial vaginosis . These may require medical treatment to go away.

Non-infectious causes of genital swelling include things like chafing and irritation of an allergic reaction. These may be the result of the types of underwear or menstrual supplies you are using, laundry detergent, and other topical irritants. Irritation from sex can also sometimes lead to vulvar or vaginal swelling.

Not all vaginal swelling is abnormal. For example, it is natural for your vagina and vulva to swell when you are sexually aroused. Other types of vaginal swelling, such as irritation from bike riding, may be self-limited.

However, if your symptoms last for more than a couple of days, reach out to your healthcare provider. They can help you determine what is causing your symptoms. Then you can work on a plan for treatment or prevention.

Other symptoms to keep an eye out for include:

More information about specific reasons you may be experiencing a swollen vagina or vulva is below.

Irritation from something your skin has been in contact with can cause the vulva to swell. 1 Rubbing and moisture trapped against the skin can both cause swelling. Contact dermatitis is a more specific type of skin reaction to an irritating substance.

Finally, allergies can sometimes lead to swelling. Some items that can lead to an allergy or other reaction of the vulva and vagina include:

If you experience vaginal irritation after making a change in your hygiene routine, take notice. You may be experiencing a reaction to the new soap or product. Similarly, if you’re experiencing swelling when you have your period, make certain you’re using appropriate menstrual products and changing them as recommended .

A variety of infections can lead to vaginal swelling; not all of them are necessarily sexually transmitted. Infections that can irritate the vagina and vulva include: 1

New lesions or sores that appear on your vulva are always a reason to see a healthcare provider. However, many people experience recurrent bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. Since yeast can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, some people may seek treatment on their own.

That said, not everything is a yeast infection. If you are experiencing what you think are frequent yeast infections, and OTC treatment isn’t working, see a healthcare provider. Something else may be going on, and only the correct treatment will help.

Sex can lead to a swollen vagina—both in fun ways and not. Sexual arousal leads to swelling of the vagina and vulva as blood flow increases to the area. This is normal and healthy. Swelling from sexual arousal should go away in a couple of hours after sexual activity and arousal have ceased.

Sometimes sex can also lead to irritation and cause swelling that’s a bit less enjoyable. Using proper lubrication during sexual penetration can help reduce the risk of this type of swelling. Rough sex, or prolonged sex, can also lead to swelling. That’s fine if it’s something you enjoy. If not, it’s appropriate to ask your partner to stop.

If you have experienced sexual assault or forced sex , help is available. Talk to a trained healthcare professional or reach out to your local rape crisis center for support.

The Rape and Incest National Network (RAINN) is an organization that provides support to individuals that have experienced sexual violence. Among other types of support, they offer the national sexual assault hotline. The hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), is available 24 hours a day and is free and confidential.
In addition to the phone hotline, RAINN offers free, confidential support via chat on its website. They also have educational material about sexual assault prevention and recovery.
If you think you need to call the HOPE hotline, call. Trained support operators are available to assist you in getting the help you need. There is no judgment. There is just assistance connecting you to support, medical care, and local authorities—if that is what you want.

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