Clitoral pain

Clitoral pain can result from injury or damage to any of the structures of the vulva (external genitalia), including the inner and outer labia, the opening of the vagina. Symptoms of clitoral pain can be constant or variable and may improve or worsen with movement or sexual activity. Why does clitoral pain occur and what can you do about it?

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Causes of pain in the clitoris

Clitoral pain can occur for a variety of reasons. It can be described as a burning or itching sensation that ranges in intensity from mild to severe. Sometimes pain that is perceived as clitoral pain is actually caused by injury, illness, or infection elsewhere on the vulva.

The clitoris is characterized by pain for several days after vigorous sexual activity. Many girls do not realize this. And then they worry because their clitoris hurts during subsequent sex. Intense friction of the clitoris and the area around the delicate tissues of the clitoris can lead to pain.

Fortunately, this feeling of pain almost always goes away quickly. You can relieve it by applying a mild numbing cream every eight hours after sex. Better yet, refrain from sex for the next few days.

To prevent such situations in the future, during foreplay, intercourse or masturbation, the clitoris should be well lubricated. Lubricants that can be used for this are freely available in pharmacies. Also, to prevent the clitoris from hurting after sex, you can use natural vaginal discharge to moisturize the clitoral area.

In addition, clitoral pain can occur for reasons related to the state of the body as a whole, for example, with a disease such as diabetes. Clitoral pain can also be caused by peripheral neuropathy - a disease that causes dysfunction of the nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to damage to one or more nerves in the vulva, resulting in pain, itching, tingling, or burning in the clitoris.

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Other Causes of Clitoral Pain

• Surgical operations in the vulva area
• Sexual abuse injuries
• Irritation of the nerves in the vulva area
• Rash in the vulva area
• Recurring yeast infections
• Recurrent sexually transmitted infections
• Skin irritation due to exposure to chemicals such as detergents, soaps, or other feminine hygiene products (such as pads)

What is the clitoris?

The clitoris is a female sexual organ that is considered external. It is compared to the male phallus, although the clitoris is much smaller. The role of the clitoris is to accumulate a woman's sexual sensations. When the clitoris is aroused, the woman gets an erection similar to a man's. But there is one distinctive feature: the clitoris becomes erect approximately 2 minutes after arousal, while the male phallus becomes aroused almost immediately.

The clitoris is located near the ends of the labia minora at the top. The clitoris is small in size, but most of it, like part of an iceberg, is hidden under the skin folds. Only the head of the clitoris is visible above the surface of the labia.

Excessively small clitoris

Many women think that their clitorises are too small. However, in gynecological practice, there are almost no cases where a woman's clitoris turns out to be pathologically small. The problem is that surprisingly few women (or men) know enough about the clitoris. In fact, the visible part of the clitoris is only the size of a small pea. The rest of it is hidden from view.

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Excessively large clitoris

Even when a woman is sexually aroused, her clitoris will certainly not be larger in size than the largest pea. Please note that we are talking about the visible part of the clitoris here.

The work of Dr. Helen O'Connell from Australia has proven that the invisible part of the clitoris (that is, the part that is under the surface of the skin) extends much further than we can assume. If the clitoris is slightly larger than usual, a clitoral hematoma may occur during sex, which easily goes away if you give up sex for literally a week.

However, women may have an oversized clitoris, the reason for this may be hormonal problems or anatomical features of girls. For example, excessive enlargement of the clitoris may occur due to taking drugs with male hormones (in particular, testosterone). In such cases, it is very important to listen to the opinion of a qualified gynecologist.

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Symptoms of clitoral pain

Swelling of the clitoris

It is not uncommon for women to have a slightly swollen clitoris the "morning after" foreplay, intercourse, or masturbation.

But it turns out that there is nothing to worry about. This condition is caused by fluid that has leaked from the blood vessels into the clitoral tissue. Swelling of the clitoris usually goes away within two days if the clitoris is not further irritated.

Hematoma on the clitoris

Sometimes the swelling and soreness of the clitoris is more severe and lasts for a week. This may be due to a small amount of bleeding in the middle of the clitoris. This type of bruising is essentially the same as a black eye. It is called a hematoma. When this happens, it would be wise to abstain from sex for two weeks. And then there is a complete recovery.

In most cases of clitoral hematoma, the organ does not actually bleed because the small amount of blood is simply absorbed into the tissue - just as a normal bruise goes away on its own.

Itching and pain in the clitoris

Typically, clitoral itching, with or without pain, is associated with a yeast infection called thrush - also known as candidiasis or a yeast infection. Almost always, other parts of the vulva and vagina are also inflamed and itchy, and the woman will usually have a whitish discharge.

In this case, doctors recommend treatment with oral antifungal drugs used to treat the vulva and vagina. They can be used in combination with vaginal suppositories. The sexual partner in case of thrush should also be treated.

Inflammation of the clitoris and pain in the clitoris are quite rare - except for cases when it is caused by thrush. But the causes of inflammation in most cases remain unclear. Some of the causes are allergies or sensitivity to chemicals - for example, those contained in intimate gels, soaps, vaginal creams, spermicides, condoms.

Sexual problems due to pain in the clitoris

Pain and discomfort in the vulvar area (vulvodynia) is a common cause of clitoral pain, as is skin irritation from rashes or household chemicals. Recurring infections or cancer can also lead to clitoral pain. In other cases, clitoral pain may be related to a chronic underlying condition that affects other areas of the body. Other causes of pain include vaginal yeast infections, a sexually transmitted disease.

The duration and course of treatment for clitoral pain vary widely depending on the cause. Symptoms caused by trauma, such as sexual abuse, often come on suddenly. In other cases, clitoral pain may be due to an infection, which develops slowly and can worsen over time.

What other symptoms may occur along with clitoral pain?

Clitoral pain may be accompanied by other symptoms that vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that often affect the clitoris may have a completely different source - other body systems.

Vulvar pain symptoms that may occur along with clitoral pain

• Bleeding
• Burning
• Itching
• Feeling of discomfort
• Bloody or pink urine (hematuria)
• Difficulty urinating (dysuria) and urinary retention
• Fever and chills
• Problems with the nervous system that cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the clitoris and extremities
• Pain during intercourse
• Rash on areas of the body other than the clitoris

Symptoms that may indicate a serious condition

In some cases, clitoral pain may occur along with other symptoms that may indicate a serious medical condition that should be diagnosed immediately in emergency situations. Seek emergency medical care immediately if you have clitoral pain along with other serious symptoms, including:

• Abdominal, pelvic or lower back pain
• High temperature (above 38 degrees Celsius)
• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Preliminary questions for a doctor to ask when diagnosing clitoral pain

Who should you contact if you feel pain in the clitoris?

To diagnose your condition, your gynecologist will ask you several questions related to clitoral pain:

• How long have you been experiencing clitoral pain?
• When did you first feel clitoral pain?
• Do you have any other symptoms?
• What medications do you take?

Pain in the clitoris is a symptom that should not be ignored. That is why you need to know as much as possible about it and consult a doctor in time.

What are the possible complications of clitoral pain?

Potential complications of clitoral pain depend on its cause. Getting prompt treatment for injuries or infections can help you avoid serious complications, such as clitoral deformity or spread of infection. Clitoral pain associated with serious medical conditions, such as vaginal infections or diabetes, can lead to long-term and even potentially life-threatening complications. If left untreated, the causes that cause clitoral pain can lead to the following complications:

• Abscess
• Sepsis (a life-threatening bacterial infection of the blood)
• Sexual dysfunction
• Spread of cancer metastases
• Spread of vaginal infection