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Pain in the vagina is common to happen and usually does not mean anything very serious, and may be just a consequence of wearing very tight clothes or allergies to condoms or soap, for example. On the other hand, when pain in the vagina is frequent, does not improve over time or is accompanied by other signs or symptoms, it may be indicative of sexually transmitted infections or the presence of cysts.
Thus, if the woman presents pain or burning when urinating, redness in the intimate area, swollen vagina, presence of wounds, lumps or warts and bleeding outside the menstrual period, it is important to consult the gynecologist, so that the diagnosis is made and the most appropriate treatment.
1. Use of tight clothing
The use of tight clothes is usually the main cause of pain in the vagina, because the tight clothes and synthetic fabric prevent air from entering the woman's intimate area, increasing the temperature and humidity of the place, which favors the proliferation of fungi and bacteria. The consequence of wearing tight clothes is noticed when the woman presents the first symptoms of a urinary or vaginal infection, which are pain and burning when urinating.
What to do: You must go to the gynecologist or urologist to determine the cause and, therefore, to establish treatment. It is advisable to wear lighter clothes, well ventilated and not made of synthetic fabric, in addition to choosing cotton panties. Sleeping without panties is a good alternative, as it prevents the region from spending so much stuffy time.
2. Pregnancy
Pain in the vagina during pregnancy is normal and does not pose a risk to the mother or baby, and it is common to happen from the third trimester of gestation, which is when the baby, who is practically formed, starts putting pressure on the mother's organs, especially in the uterus, causing pain. See what happens in the third trimester of pregnancy.
What to do: As it is a normal change, no treatment is indicated, however if the pain is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms, it is important that the obstetrician is consulted for a general assessment .
3. Allergic reactions
Some women have increased sensitivity to some products, such as soap, fabric softener used to wash panties, tampons, toilet paper or some type of condom. Allergic reactions can be noticed from swelling, redness, itching, pain or burning in the vagina.
What to do: It is important to identify what causes the allergy and avoid using this product. In addition, the gynecologist may indicate the use of some medication, such as anti-inflammatory ointments, which should be used in the region that has been sensitized.
4. Urinary infections
Women have a high chance of having more than one urinary tract infection in their lifetime. This is because the female urethra is short and the distance between the vagina and anus is small, which favors the migration and proliferation of fungi and bacteria. Urinary infections usually happen when there is no good hygiene of the intimate area or with the use of tight clothes that make the vagina feel stuffy.
A woman with a urinary tract infection usually has a great desire to go to the bathroom, but she cannot eliminate a lot of urine and, in addition, may experience pain, burning or itching in the vagina. Find out what are the symptoms of urinary tract infection.
What to do: When you notice the first symptoms of urinary tract infection, you should go to the urologist or gynecologist so that you can identify the agent that caused the infection and start treatment. In addition, it is important to pay attention to the hygiene of the intimate region. Treatment is usually done with antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or ciprofloxacin, for example.
See in the video below some ways to relieve and avoid the symptoms of urinary tract infection:
5. Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are diseases caused by microorganisms that can happen through unprotected intimate contact and when you have more than one partner in the same period of time. STIs are manifested by redness, small wounds, lumps or warts in the intimate region, burning when urinating, vaginal discharge and pain in the vagina. See how to recognize the main symptoms of STIs in women.
What to do: In the presence of symptoms that are indicative of STI, you should go to the gynecologist to confirm the diagnosis, by evaluating the symptoms or observing the genitals, and that appropriate treatment is started. Usually treatment is done with the use of antibiotics, antifungals or antivirals depending on the microorganism causing the disease.
Although some STDs are curable with treatment, it is important to use a condom during sexual intercourse and avoid intimate contact with more than one partner.
6. Presence of cysts
Some cysts can alter the anatomy of the vagina and lead to pain, such as the ovarian cyst, which is a fluid-filled pouch that forms inside or around the ovary. In addition to the ovarian cyst, some cysts in the vagina can also cause pain, such as Bartholin's cyst and Skene's cyst, which are cysts formed in glands that are located in the vagina.
What to do: When vaginal bleeding is noticed outside the menstrual period, pain during intimate contact, difficulty getting pregnant, menstruation delay or pain in the vagina, you should go to the gynecologist, as it may be a cyst.
The treatment indicated by the doctor varies according to the size of the cyst and can be recommended from the use of birth control pills to the indication of surgery to remove the cyst or uterus.
7. Dryness of the vagina
Dryness of the vagina usually occurs by decreasing the production of estrogen, which is a female hormone, and is more common in menopause. When there is little mucus production, the woman may experience pain in the vagina, usually during sexual intercourse.
What to do: To reduce the discomfort caused by the dry vagina, lubricants can be used to facilitate sexual intercourse, use vaginal moisturizers or even make hormonal replacement according to medical advice.
8. Vaginismus
Pain and extreme difficulty in penetrating the vagina can be vaginismus, a rare disease, but of little public knowledge, which can be caused by physical factors, due to genital or psychological diseases, which can involve sexual abuse, traumatic birth or surgery , for example.
What to do: To find out if she really has vaginismus, a woman should go to the gynecologist and seek guidance, because there is treatment, which can be done with drugs and therapies that can help improve intimate contact. Check out more information about vaginismus.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team