Pain in the labia

Pain in the labia occurs due to various factors and is the reason for contacting a medical specialist. The anatomical guide gives definitions: 

• large labia - skin folds that perform mechanical protection of the vaginal opening and urethra, maintain a stable temperature in the female genital organs; 
• small labial lips - longitudinal skin folds, concealed by large labia, converging over the clitoris. This zone of spongy tissue, devoid of fat cells, has tiny blood vessels and nerve endings; 
• Bartholin glands - are in the small labia, are provided with ducts that produce a small amount of secret during sexual arousal.

External genitalia are sensory receptors, since they are provided with a large number of nerve endings. They play an important role in intimate life, so the pain in the labia may lead to pain during sexual intercourse, the occurrence of itching or burning.

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The causes of itching and pain in the labia

Itching and pain in the large labia appears: 

• due to non-compliance with hygiene regulations; 
• when wearing close, synthetic underwear; 
• if the pads, tampons, detergents do not fit your skin; 
• during the use of certain medications that cause itching sensations and pain in the large labia; 
• because of a violation of the vaginal microflora; 
• on the background of mental disorders, especially of an intimate nature; 
• pain in the labia major occurs with problems with the mucosa; 
• as a failure in the endocrine system, metabolic processes, the work of the stomach; 
• at a sensation of dryness.

Itching and pain in the small labia are a possible signal about the development of infectious or venereal diseases. Do not yourself fight the first symptoms, it is better to carefully monitor, to identify the true cause of discomfort. Self-medication can only exacerbate the problem and lead to irreparable consequences, down to infertility.

Diseases that cause pain in the labia

Pain in the labia occurs for the following reasons: 

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Vaginal candidiasis (thrush)

A common disease caused by a Candida pathogenic fungus. Yeast-like microorganism is present in small quantities in every human body, or rather in the mucous membrane - skin, mouth, urogenital system, gastrointestinal tract. Imbalance in one of the body systems is often accompanied by the emergence of thrush. The disease can be triggered by stress, suffered from a disease, the use of potent drugs, excessive hypothermia, an allergy to personal hygiene. Candidiasis - the cause of pain during intercourse, sometimes manifests as redness, burning sensation, often itching and pain of the labia. There are curd extracts of a characteristic sour smell.

Vulvovaginitis or inflammation of the labia

Symptomatology - swelling of the labia, reddening of the mucous, itching. When urinating, walking pain in the labia minora, there are unpleasantly smelling yellowish-green discharge.

Vulvodina

Pain in the labia, concentrating at the entrance to the vagina or extending to the area of all genitals. The disease appears due to the chronic inflammatory process of nerve endings, is determined by burning sensations in the vulva. It is believed that the disease can develop against the background of taking antibiotics, a severe illness, chronic candidiasis. Vulvodynia is difficult to diagnose, as the signs of its course are similar to most infectious diseases. An incorrect medical report can harm a patient's physical and mental health. If you observe unceasing pain in the labia, burning during sex and when riding a bicycle, when you insert a tampon or just a long sitting, then this is an excuse for excluding vulvodynia; 

Bartholinitis

Disease of the bartholin gland located at the entrance to the vagina. Inflammation or blockage of the gland leads to edema, there is pain in the labia and vagina. What causes bartholinitis? Medicine blames staphylococci, gonococci and other microbes, although the exact cause of the disease could not be established. Unpleasant sensations increase with the growth of sexual arousal, there is a throbbing pain in the labia, disappearing a couple of hours after coition. Patients often had seams around the vagina; 

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Gardnerellez

Type of vaginal dysbacteriosis caused by the pathogenic organism Gardnerella vaginalis. Bright manifestations of gardnerellosis are: redness and swelling of the labia, watery or foamy discharge with a characteristic fishy smell. The discharge may acquire a pale gray or greenish tinge. The greatest discomfort to patients is the feeling of dryness, itching, pain in the labia and vagina. There were cases of difficulty urinating.

Pain in the labia may be caused by any of the listed diseases. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, especially accompanied by secretions, rashes of different etiologies, you should immediately consult a specialist. Pain in the labia majora and pain in the labia minora can be felt by the patient as a single pain syndrome, so only a doctor can give a clear picture of what is happening.

Why there is pain in the labia in pregnant women?

The woman's body undergoes many changes during the development of the fetus. Regular, absolutely physiological processes take place in the labia. There is an increase in them, swelling, the formation of varicose veins, there are seals disappearing at the end of the pregnancy period.

The pain of the labia during pregnancy is a common phenomenon associated with increased circulation in the pelvic organs. The third trimester may be accompanied by unpleasant, itchy sensations, increased pain in the labia. With a view to alleviating the condition with signs of varicose veins, you need to walk, rest only on your side. Standing or sitting position increases the pain syndrome, worsen blood circulation. Preference should be given to a seamless, compression laundry, be sure to seek medical advice.

Pain in the labia during pregnancy can be attributed to the production of the hormone relaxin, which reduces the hardness of the ligament apparatus before passing the child through the birth canal. The fetus itself may be low situated and press on the pelvic bones, causing pain in the labia.

Treatment of pain in the labia: recipes for alternative medicine

After a doctor appointed treatment, you can resort to the advice of alternative medicine to alleviate the general condition: 

For the removal of dryness, itching, pain in the vulva helps the following composition:

1. dioecious nettle - 60 g,
2. narrow-leaved kiprej, the mountaineer pochechujnyj - 40 g,
3. chamomile, ear bear grass, yarrow, calendula - 30 g,
4. Veronica and oregano inflorescences - 20 g.

• 1 tbsp. L. Dry collection pour 400 ml of boiling water, rind on a small fire for 5 minutes, give an hour to brew, take before meals 3-4 times a day; 
• solution for douching - mix celandine grass, equal parts of the leaves of dioecious nettle, black currant, add a violet with a three-part string. Dry collection (2 tablespoons) pour 250 ml of boiling water, insist for an hour, filter and do douching 2-3 times;
• medicinal suppository can be made from crushed propolis (10-15 g), mixed with glycerine pharmaceutically or vegetable oil in an amount of 100 grams. The composition is heated for 20 minutes without boiling, filtered and placed in a refrigerator. Formed suppository is used at night. Reduced swelling, pain in the labia, itching; 
• tampons: fir oil - 5 g, cocoa powder plus butter - each of 50 g is placed in a container, brought to a homogeneous consistency. Cool the mixture with a tampon. Enter the vagina, previously cleaned with chamomile broth or a solution of baking soda, before going to bed.

Pain in the labia can ruin the mood, change the habitual rhythm of life, cause discomfort and even depression. In any case, you should be aware that your health is in your hands. Only the speed of your reaction to the itching and pain of the labia depends on the colors of the surrounding world, but most importantly - your health, beauty and longevity.