WHAT CAUSES SWOLLEN VAGINA, AND SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT IT

Vaginal swelling seems an uncomfortable topic for some people. They may find it hard to reach out for medical assistance. Some of the causes are; pregnancy, sexual assault, rough sex, genital herpes, and allergies.

A yeast infection is people’s most common thought when their vaginas swell. It might be, but that is not the only cause. It might be an embarrassing and uncomfortable topic, but it is one you should not avoid. Do not be in a rush to treat it through over-the-counter medications. It might work, but there are times they may not favor you, and you will make the condition worse. Seek medical attention if you have a swollen vagina. Below are the causes of a swollen vagina.

Pregnancy

A woman can experience a swollen vagina when pregnant. The growing fetus applies pressure on the pelvic bones and the muscles surrounding them, causing the vagina to be sore and red. It gives a burning and itching sensation and may cause the vagina to swell. It is important to seek medical assistance from the doctor if you have a swollen vagina. Ensure it does not affect your pregnancy.

Yeast Infections         

According to Aballéa et al. (2013), you may experience pain when having sex or urinating when suffering from a yeast infection. You may be irritated and can make the vagina itchy. It might burn you and turn red, giving out a smelly discharge. The smell might last for as long as the infection stays. Yeast infection causes the colored vaginal discharge. The discharge might be thick and sticky. You should seek medical help once you experience it, as it may get serious. You may also take over-the-counter medication if need be. Use fluconazole are clotrimazole to reduce itching. Ensure you maintain hygiene to reduce yeast infections. Consider disposing of underwear you use when infected with the infection to avoid recurring infection. Ask your man to maintain hygiene to avoid transferring the infection to you. Let your man seek medical attention, for they may also be infected.  

Rough Sex   

It is always important to have sex with a lubricant, especially rough sex. The friction you experience may lead to injury to the vaginas. The injuries may cause the vaginas to swell. According to Musinguzi et al. (2015), having rough sex without lubricants may cause the vaginal tissue to tear. You might bleed in extreme cases. You should buy the over-the-counter drugs and avoid having penetrative sex for a while when this happens. Have different sexual activities such as oral sex until the swelling goes down.

Allergy  

The vagina is a sensitive part of the body. It can react to foreign things getting in contact with it. You might get reactions from sanitary towels and tampons. You have often used a different sanitary towel that you have never used and have gotten some reaction. The swelling can make the vagina itchy and painful simultaneously. Other products causing vaginal swelling include lotions, perfumed soaps, and latex condoms. Most of these products may be the ones you have not used. You should stop using them if you notice such products are causing a reaction. You should also avoid douching. The vagina is self-cleansing. There is no need for you to insert things inside your vagina and claim you are washing it. It will cause some reactions.

Irritations 

Avoid using a product because your friend uses it. Use what you are comfortable with and has no reactions. Avoid chemical or perfumed fragrances. They do a lot of damage than you may think. Also, avoid too tight undergarments causing friction on your vagina. Leave a little space for the vagina to breathe. Stop using products causing harm or irritation, causing your vagina to swell.

Sexual Assault

The vagina will likely swell when one is forced into sexual intercourse. The pelvic muscles expand forcefully, causing pain. According to Schensul et al. (2018), the vagina lacks self-lubrication for penetration during forced sex. It results in injuries. The injury gotten from the rape may cause bleeding and swelling of the vagina. Sexually assaulted people should seek medical assistance and guidance, and counseling. Avoid keeping quiet when sexually assaulted as it may cause emotional and physical damage. Vaginal swelling can lead to worse infections. 

Genital Herpes 

It is a sexually transmitted infection. You know you suffer from genital herpes when your vagina becomes painful and itchy (Fischer, 2004). The blisters are known as ulcers. Some of these blisters burst and become sore. They can be painful when swollen. You should seek medical assistance to prevent the blisters from breaking out.

Sexually Transmitted Infections 

These infections can cause the cervix to have inflammation making it red and sore. It can cause a condition known as cervicitis. You will experience pain during sex, and your vagina might bleed. It can also cause you to have a discharge that is not normal. The discharge might be thick and smelly. Some of the infections causing swelling include gonorrhea and chlamydia. Consider seeking medical attention from a gynecologist if infected with STIs.

Edema In the Vagina

The uterus enlarges when a woman is pregnant. While enlarging, pressure applies to the veins of the pelvic walls, causing edema to form. There will be a lot of water collection in the body. This is because the veins have nowhere to drain the water. People with edema should gently massage the swollen area. They should also seek medical help from their gynecologist. The doctor will determine the cause of edema to be able to treat the condition.

Conclusion

A doctor should always treat vaginal swelling. It might seem a small issue, but the results may be damaging if not well taken care of. Try and avoid the over the counter drugs. They may work out in your favor but may disappoint you if the condition had worsened before diagnosis. Get comfortable with your issues. Do not be ashamed of your condition. You are the one that feels the pain and how uncomfortable you are. 

References

Aballéa, S., Guelfucci, F., Wagner, J., Khemiri, A., Dietz, J. P., Sobel, J., & Toumi, M. (2013). Subjective Health Status And Health-Related Quality Of Life Among Women With Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidosis (RVVC) In Europe And The USA. Health And Quality Of Life Outcomes, 11(1), 1-13.

Fischer, G. (2004). Management Of Vulvar Pain. Dermatologic Therapy, 17(1), 134-149.

Musinguzi, G., Bastiaens, H., Matovu, J. K., Nuwaha, F., Mujisha, G., Kiguli, J., ... & Wanyenze, R. K. (2015). Barriers To Condom Use Among High-Risk Men Who Have Sex With Men In Uganda: A Qualitative Study. Plus One, 10(7), E0132297.Schensul, S. L., Brault, M. A., Prabhughate, P., Bankar, S., Ha, T., & Foster, D. (2018). Sexual Intimacy And Marital Relationships In A Low-Income Urban Community In India. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 20(10), 1087-1101.