Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhen to Seek CareDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
When to Seek Care
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
There are many possible reasons why you may be experiencing a sore vagina, also called vulvar pain. Some causes, like irritation or menopause, may be evident. Other causes, like a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a cyst, are not as apparent.
What people call “vagina pain” may involve the vagina, the inside part that connects to the womb or uterus. But it may also involve thevulva, the outer part of the genitals. When the vagina and vulva are inflamed, it’s referred to as vaginitis.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Causes of Vaginal Soreness
Vaginal pain can have many different causes. Some are serious, while others go away on their own or respond to simple treatments.
Yeast Infection
Some people are more prone to yeast infections, including people who:
Hygiene habits can sometimes raise your risk (for example, not quickly changing out of sweaty workout clothes).
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)is an infection that happens when too much bacteria grows in your vagina.
Not everyone hassymptoms, but if you do, you might notice:
Your risk of getting BV is higher if you:
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)can also cause vaginal/vulvar pain and many other symptoms depending on the specific STI. Vaginal symptoms may include:
Some examples of STIs include:
If you think you could have an STI, talk to your healthcare provider. You and your partnershould be testedto reduce the risk of passing it on or having complications.
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)are prevalent, especially in women. It is estimated that 50% to 60% of women will have one or more UTIs during their lifetime.
UTIs happen when bacteria enter the urinary tract. Symptoms include:
A UTI can make it painful to have sex.
Irritation or Allergy
Vaginal irritationand allergies can cause soreness.The irritation or allergy may be a reaction to:
Shaving or waxing the area can also cause discomfort, especially when the hair grows back. This pain is usually temporary.
Vulvodynia
Vulvodyniais vulvar pain with no identifiable cause and has been present for at least three months.Pain may be felt over the entire vulva or only in one area and may cause different types of symptoms, such as:
Symptoms of vulvodynia may be constant, or they may come and go. Symptoms can start and stop without warning, or they may occur only when the area is touched.
Genetics, hormones, pelvic floor conditions, nerve irritation or damage, or trauma may raise your risk. Vulvodynia can also happen after medical procedures such as chemotherapy or surgery involving the nerve supply in the area.
Vulvar Vestibulitis
Vulvar vestibulitis, also known asvestibulodynia, is pain in the vulvar vestibule. This is the area of the vulva between the labia minora and encompasses the clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening. Like vulvodynia, a diagnosis comes with pain that lasts longer than three months. It can cause symptoms like:
Researchers need to learn more about the causes of vestibulodynia. However, some causes include thehuman papillomavirus (HPV), frequent yeast infections, and recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Some neurological conditions that cause the brain to confuse normal sensations like touch, stretching, or pleasure as pain may also be involved in vestibulodynia.
Bartholin’s Cyst
Bartholin glands are responsible for lubricating the vagina. ABartholin’s cystoccurs when the Bartholin glands on thelabia—the skin folds around the vaginal opening—become blocked.
A cyst that’s not infected may show up as a painless lump. These often resolve on their own.
If a Bartholin cyst becomes infected, it might swell up, be painful, and make walking or sitting harder. This may require treatment.
Endometriosis
Endometriosisoccurs when the lining or tissue of theuterus(womb) builds up outside the uterus. Not everyone has the same symptoms, but some commonsymptoms of endometriosisinclude:
Pelvic Floor Problems
Pelvic floor dysfunctionis a health condition where the muscles and tendons in your pelvic area weaken. It can cause vaginal pain, especially during sex.
Menopause
Vaginal pain can occur because of hormonal changes duringmenopause. Thevagina may become drier. Vaginal tissue can become thin and tear more easily. These changes can make sex painful.
Other symptoms may include:
There is also an increased risk of infection, which can lead to vaginal pain.
Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosuscan occur at any age but is most common in postmenopausal women. It is a rare skin condition that causes itchy and painful patches of thin, white, wrinkled-looking skin on the vulva and/or anus.
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic condition, and currently, the cause is unknown.
Vigorous Sex
The tissue in and around the vagina can tear or bruise during rough sex, leading to soreness. Sex can also lead to chafing around the vulva.
If you think you may have an injury inside your vagina, seek medical care. In rare cases, internal bleeding can be life-threatening.
If you have beensexually assaulted, reach out for help as soon as you are safe. One way to get help is to call theNational Sexual Assault (RAINN) Hotlineat 800-656-HOPE (4673). You can also speak to a healthcare professional you trust.
Vaginismus
Vaginismusis a condition where vaginal muscles spasm. It can make it difficult to have sex. It can also cause pain.
People may develop vaginismus in response to trauma. It can happen because you’re nervous about having sex. But it can also occur during menopause or after childbirth.
Trauma
Injuries from straddle accidents, vehicle accidents, sexual assault, and female genital cutting can also cause long-term pain.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See a healthcare provider if your symptoms bother you and don’t go away. If you have urinary symptoms, it might be best to see a primary care provider, urgent care provider, or urologist. If your only symptom is vaginal pain, you may want to see a primary care provider, an urgent care provider, or agynecologist.
It’s especially important to seek medical care if you have vaginal pain or soreness and are pregnant, in menopause, or have a new sex partner. If you’re pregnant, seeing an obstetrician or gynecologist may be best.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have been sexually assaulted. Do not clean yourself or change your clothes ahead of your visit.
These are other signs that you need to see a doctor:
If you have severe pain, bleeding, and/or a fever, you may need to visit the emergency room (ER).
Some healthcare providers may minimize women’s concerns about pain.Studies show that women of color, trans, and LGBTQ people often feel their healthcare providers don’t “get” them and their pain.The same is true for women with low incomes, chronic pain, or disabilities.When you’re seeking care for vaginal pain (or anything else), you need a healthcare provider who takes your symptoms seriously. If you don’t feel heard and respected, look for another provider.
Some healthcare providers may minimize women’s concerns about pain.Studies show that women of color, trans, and LGBTQ people often feel their healthcare providers don’t “get” them and their pain.The same is true for women with low incomes, chronic pain, or disabilities.
When you’re seeking care for vaginal pain (or anything else), you need a healthcare provider who takes your symptoms seriously. If you don’t feel heard and respected, look for another provider.
It can take time to find out precisely what is behind your pain. You may be able to confirm some causes with an at-home test; others require a medical evaluation.
To identify the cause, a healthcare professional may:
At-Home Tests
Tests that detect some causes of vaginal pain are available online and in many drugstores.
There are tests for:
Some give immediate results, while others may need to be sent to a lab for analysis.
Lab Tests
When you visit a healthcare provider, you may need:
Imaging
In some cases, imaging is the best way to find what’s causing your vaginal pain. For example, atransvaginal ultrasoundcan show endometriosis.
Endometriosis can also appear on amagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test, acomputerized tomography (CT) scan,or alaparoscopy—a surgery in which a tiny camera on a long tube takes pictures inside your body.
Imaging tests can also detect pelvic floor problems and internal injuries.
Treatment will depend on the exact cause of your soreness or pain. In some cases, changing your routines may be all that is needed. In others, medical intervention may be necessary.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Vaginal pain may decrease if you make some simple changes. For example, it may help to:
Medications
Conditions like STIs need to be treated with medications. They won’t go away on their own and can cause serious health consequences if left untreated.
In some cases, medication can resolve or cure the pain. Antibiotics or antifungals for infections are a good example. If the pain is from a long-term condition, a healthcare provider can help you manage symptoms with medications, including:
Physical Therapy
Your therapist may work with you to build yourpelvic floor muscles.
Some people learn to relax vaginal muscles using dilators, which are tapered wand-like tools that come in various sizes.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapycan teach you strategies to relax tense muscles or cope with anxiety, trauma, or pain.
Surgery
If the pain does not go away with other treatments, you may need surgery. For example, if you have an infected Bartholin’s cyst, it may need to be drained.
In some cases, surgery to remove scar tissue helps withendometriosis symptoms. Ahysterectomy—removal of the uterus—is another option for endometriosis.
To protect your vulva and vagina, you can:
Summary
Pain in or around your vagina can have many possible causes. Infection, injury, health conditions, menopause, childbirth, pelvic floor problems, and allergies can all make the vulva or vagina sore.
Most of the time, vaginal pain will go away on its own or with self-care. But some types can be severe. Medication, physical therapy, and even surgery may be needed to restore your health.
A Word From Verywell
—CORDELIA NWANKWO, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
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