Pain in the labia

Pain in the labia occurs due to various factors and is a reason to contact a medical specialist. The anatomical reference book provides definitions:

• labia majora – folds of skin that provide mechanical protection for the entrance to the vagina and urethra, and maintain a stable temperature in the female genital organs;
• labia minora - longitudinal skin folds hidden by the labia majora, converging above the clitoris. This is a zone of spongy tissue devoid of fat cells, has tiny blood vessels and nerve endings;
• Bartholin's glands - located in the labia minora, supplied with ducts that produce a small amount of secretion during sexual arousal.

The external genitalia are sensory receptors, as they are supplied with a large number of nerve endings. They play an important role in intimate life, so pain in the labia can lead to pain during intercourse, itching or burning.

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Causes of itching and pain in the labia

Itching and pain in the labia majora appears:

• due to failure to comply with hygiene rules;
• when wearing tight, synthetic underwear;
• if pads, tampons, detergents do not suit your skin;
• while using certain medications that cause itching and pain in the labia majora;
• due to disruption of vaginal microflora;
• against the background of mental disorders, especially of an intimate nature;
• pain in the labia majora occurs due to problems with the mucous membrane;
• as a failure in the endocrine system, metabolic processes, and stomach function;
• if you feel dry.

Itching and pain in the labia minora is a possible signal of the development of infectious or venereal diseases. You should not fight the first symptoms on your own, it is better to undergo a thorough examination, identify the true cause of discomfort. Self-medication can only exacerbate the problem and lead to irreparable consequences, including infertility.

Diseases that cause pain in the labia

Pain in the labia occurs due to the following reasons:

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Vaginal candidiasis (thrush)

A common disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Candida. A yeast-like microorganism is present in small quantities in every human body, or rather in the mucous membrane - skin, oral cavity, genitourinary system, gastrointestinal tract. An imbalance in one of the body's systems is often accompanied by the occurrence of thrush. The disease can be provoked by stress, previous illness, taking strong medications, excessive hypothermia, allergies to personal hygiene products. Candidiasis is the cause of pain during intercourse, sometimes manifested by redness, a burning sensation, often there is itching and pain in the labia. Curdy discharge with a characteristic sour smell appears.

Vulvovaginitis or inflammation of the labia

Symptoms include swelling of the labia, reddening of the mucous membrane, and itching. When urinating and walking, pain is felt in the labia minora, and foul-smelling yellowish-green discharge appears.

Vulvodynia

Pain in the labia, concentrated at the entrance to the vagina or spreading to the area of all genitals. The disease appears as a result of a chronic inflammatory process of nerve endings, determined by a burning sensation in the vulva. It is believed that the disease can develop against the background of taking antibiotics, a serious illness, chronic candidiasis. Vulvodynia is difficult to diagnose, since the signs of its course are similar to most infectious diseases. An incorrect medical opinion can harm the physical and mental health of the patient. If you observe constant pain in the labia, burning during sex and when riding a bike, when inserting a tampon or just sitting for a long time, then this is a reason to exclude vulvodynia;

Bartholinitis

A disease of the Bartholin gland, located at the entrance to the vagina. Inflammation or blockage of the gland leads to swelling, pain in the labia and vagina. What causes Bartholinitis? Medicine blames staphylococci, gonococci and other microbes, although the exact cause of the disease has not been established. Unpleasant sensations increase with increasing sexual arousal, a pulsating pain in the labia occurs, disappearing a couple of hours after intercourse. Patients often noted seals around the vagina;

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Gardnerellosis

A type of vaginal dysbacteriosis caused by the pathogen Gardnerella vaginalis. The most obvious symptoms of gardnerellosis are: redness and swelling of the labia, watery or foamy discharge with a characteristic fishy odor. The discharge may acquire a pale gray or greenish tint. The greatest discomfort for patients is caused by sensations of dryness, itching, pain in the labia and vagina. There are cases of difficult urination.

Pain in the labia can be caused by any of the listed diseases. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, especially those accompanied by discharge, rashes of various etiologies, you should immediately contact 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 does pain in the labia occur in pregnant women?

The woman's body undergoes many changes during fetal development. Natural, absolutely physiological processes also occur in the labia. Their enlargement, swelling, the formation of a varicose mesh are observed, seals appear, which disappear by the end of the pregnancy period.

Labia pain during pregnancy is a common phenomenon associated with increased blood circulation in the pelvic organs. The third trimester may be accompanied by unpleasant, itchy sensations, increased pain in the labia. In order to alleviate the condition with signs of varicose veins, you need to take walks, rest only on your side. Standing or sitting position increases pain syndrome, worsens blood circulation. You should give preference to seamless, compression underwear, be sure to consult a doctor.

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

Treatment of pain in the labia: traditional medicine recipes

After the treatment prescribed by the doctor, you can resort to traditional medicine advice to alleviate the general condition:

The following composition helps to relieve dryness, itching, and pain in the vulva:

1. stinging nettle – 60 g,
2. narrow-leaved fireweed, knotweed - 40 g,
3. chamomile, bear's ear herb, yarrow, calendula - 30 g,
4. veronica and oregano inflorescences – 20 g.

• 1 tbsp of dry collection is poured with 400 ml of boiling water, simmered over low heat for 5 minutes, left to brew for an hour, taken before meals 3-4 times a day;
• solution for douching - mix celandine herb, equal parts of stinging nettle leaves, black currant, add violet with three-part celandine. Dry collection (2 tbsp.) is poured with 250 ml of boiling water, infused for an hour, filtered and douching is done 2-3 times;
• healing suppositories can be made from crushed propolis (10-15 g), mixed with pharmaceutical glycerin or vegetable oil in the amount of 100 g. The composition is heated for 20 minutes without boiling, filtered and placed in the refrigerator. The formed suppositories are used at night. Swelling, pain in the labia, itching are reduced;
• tampons: fir oil - 5 g, cocoa powder plus butter - 50 g of each, place in a container, bring to a uniform consistency. Soak a tampon in the cooled mixture. Insert into the vagina, previously cleaned with chamomile decoction or a solution of baking soda, before bedtime.

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