Vaginal pain can develop at any age. It can be psychological or result from various medical conditions. Most often it is associated with infections of the genital tract, but it can also be a signal of cancer, hormonal disorders, and anatomical defects. What are the most common causes of vaginal pain?

Contents:

  1. Vaginal pain: causes
    • Trichomoniasis
    • Vaginal mycosis
    • Gonorrhea (typer)
    • Mild vaginal tumors
    • Malignant neoplasms of the vagina
    • Congenital defects of the uterus
    • Hormonal disorders
    • Sexual dysfunction
    • Allergies

Vaginal painsignificantly hinders everyday functioning and worsens the quality of sexual life, and sometimes prevents intercourse. Any pain in the vagina should prompt a woman to see a gynecologist. An early diagnosis and appropriate treatment allow you to free yourself from pain.

When there is fear of intercourse, it is worth asking for help from a sexologist or psychiatrist. The specialist will determine what is the basis of the fear of sexual intercourse. Disregarding the psychological causes of vaginal pain is quite common, because many women do not understand that stress, anxiety or fear of intercourse can translate into physical ailments.

Vaginal pain: causes

Vaginal infections and the resulting vaginitis are the most common causes of vaginal pain. Infection can be caused by bacteria, trichomoniasis, mycosis and gonorrhea.

Non-specific bacterial vaginosis, often called vaginosis, is the result of disturbed vaginal flora. It develops when there is a reduction in the number of lactobacilli, which are responsible for maintaining the correct pH of the vagina. In such conditions, bacteria ( Gardnerella vaginalis ,Corynebacterium vaginalis ,Prevotella , Mycoplasma hominis ) that multiply quickly.

A symptom of infection is a gray discharge with an unpleasant fishy smell that irritates the vulva and vagina, causing pain. There is also itching of the vagina and vulva, and hypersensitivity. The condition should not be taken lightly. It is necessary to take antibiotics, which can be oral tablets or vaginal suppositories. Even if it's fastwell-being will improve, the treatment must be completed so that the infection does not return.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a disease caused by the vaginal trichomoniasis ( Trichomonas vaginalis ), which is most often sexually transmitted, but you can also catch it by wearing someone else's towels or bathing suits. Trichomoniasis lives in the urethra and vagina.

There are no symptoms in the initial period of infection. Over time, there is a profuse greyish, foamy discharge with a sweet smell, severe itching in and around the vagina, pain involving the vagina and vulva, itching and burning of the urethra, strong and painful urge to urinate, and diffuse pain in the lower abdomen.

Treatment consists of taking antibiotics (orally or vaginally). If a woman has more than one Antibiotics are used orally and vaginally for treatment. The woman's partner (or partners) must also be treated. The treatment must be completed.

Vaginal mycosis

Vaginal mycosis is most often caused byCandida albicans . Ringworm develops after long antibiotic therapy, treatment with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. She is also favored by diabetes, obesity and pregnancy.

The infection manifests itself with white, cheesy vaginal discharge, itching, vaginal and vulvar pain, and a burning sensation when urinating.

The most important thing for the genital tract is the lactobacilli, but it dies under the influence of e.g. antibiotics. Its place is quickly taken by fungi, which (according to physiology) are in the vagina, but the lactic acid rod is not allowed to multiply. When it's gone, nothing stops the mushrooms.

Treatment of vaginal mycosis involves the use of topical antifungal agents or a probiotic. The latter option is much more reasonable, because it allows you to regenerate the bacterial flora throughout the body.

Lactic acid sticks found in the vagina have two main tasks - to produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide), which inhibits the growth of fungi.

But here's an important note. It is very dangerous and unacceptable to use hydrogen peroxide, available at the pharmacy, to combat vaginal mycosis. This can burn your vagina.

Worth knowing

Sensitization is an underestimated but common cause of vaginal pain. If the pain is accompanied by itching and burning, swelling of the intimate area after intercourse with the use of lubricants or spermicides, condoms can be assumed to be allergic.

The same can be done when using perfumed and colored toilet papers or sanitary napkins. In such a situationyou need to visit the gynecologist to make sure there is no other cause of the pain.

Treatment consists mainly of avoiding the allergenic substance and, if it occurs, administering appropriate antiallergic drugs.

Gonorrhea (typer)

Gonorrhea is a disease caused by gonorrhea ( Neisseria gonorrhoeae ), a sexually transmitted bacterium. It belongs to venereal diseases.

Men develop purulent discharge from the urethra 3-4 days after infection. In women, the first symptoms appear after 1-2 weeks and may take the form of small vaginal discharge or inflammation of the urethra or the cervical canal. Over time, there is pain and burning sensation when urinating. Some women experience severe pain in the vagina or the entire lower abdomen.

Treatment is based on the oral administration of appropriate antibiotics.

Mild vaginal tumors

Vaginal cancer is a rare gynecological cancer. Benign vaginal neoplasms include:

  • fibroids
  • fibrosarcoma
  • cysts
  • genital warts
  • polyps

The causes and risk factors include, for example, smoking and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The disease is sexually transmitted. The best method of increasing the possibility of detecting the disease at an early stage is regular visits to the gynecologist.

Symptoms of vaginal cancer are abnormal vaginal bleeding (e.g. bloody discharge, bleeding after intercourse) and vaginal pain, especially during intercourse.

Benign lesions are surgically removed.

Malignant neoplasms of the vagina

They mainly attack older women. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common. The second place in the statistics is adenocarcinoma. Usually the cancer appears as a large, bleeding tumor.

Symptoms of neoplastic changes in the vagina may be vaginal discharge discolored with blood, pain in the vagina, pain when urinating and stools, and an unpleasant vaginal smell.

The first stage of treatment is the removal of the vagina and uterus. The patient underwent radiation therapy again. Sometimes, radiation therapy is given before surgery to reduce the tumor burden.

Congenital defects of the uterus

Anatomical defects are a common cause of vaginal pain. Most often, pain occurs during intercourse. The causes of congenital vaginal defects are not fully understood. It is known, however, that discomfort may result from the absence of a vagina, the existence of a transverse or longitudinal septum of the vagina.

Depending on the type of defect, intercourse is very difficult and painful, or even impossible, e.g. when the vagina is absent orcomplete transverse septum of the vagina is present. The first symptom of such disorders is the absence of the first menstruation. When a properly built uterus is associated with a septum or absence of a vagina, menstrual blood accumulates above the obstruction. The residual blood spreads the tissues apart, which causes pain in the vagina and pain in the lower abdomen.

Hormonal disorders

Vaginal pain in postmenopausal women may be associated with a decrease in estrogen levels, which translates into significant changes in the vaginal mucosa. The pH of the vagina also changes, which favors infections. Vaginal dryness also occurs because the body does not produce enough vaginal discharge. This makes intercourse painful, and after intercourse, the pain lasts for hours.

Hormonal disorders in the menopausal period are treated by choosing the right hormone therapy for each woman. You can also use topical suppositories, creams, vaginal gels containing estrogens.

The woman should also be under the constant care of a gynecologist.

Sexual dysfunction

Pain in the vagina during sexual intercourse can be caused by excitement disorders, low libido or vaginismus.

Disturbance of excitement can cause insufficient production of vaginal discharge to reduce friction during intercourse. In the absence of adequate hydration, irritation and abrasions quickly develop, resulting in pain.

Low libido , i.e. the reduction of sexual needs, is often underestimated, although it is considered a sexual disorder by medicine. We often do not realize that the decline in interest in intimate life can be very serious. Low libido may be associated with diseases such as:

  • diabetes
  • hypertension
  • coronary artery disease
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • urogenital infections
  • genital dysfunctions (e.g. priapism, perineal injuries, pelvic vascular problems)

The use of selected groups of drugs is also mentioned among the reasons for the decrease in libido. The "killers" of desire are psychotropic drugs, such as neuroleptics used mainly in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses, and antidepressants. The decreased libido is also noticed in the treatment of arterial hypertension. Some freely available herbal remedies, such as hops, valerian and lemon balm, have been shown to cause sexual problems when used regularly.

Treatment in such situations is based on a very individual approach to the patient. In case ofchronic diseases require proper treatment, which improves the patient's well-being. Sometimes the help of a psychologist, psychiatrist or sexologist is necessary.

Vaginismusis classified as a sexual dysfunction. It involves the independent contraction of the pelvic floor muscles that surround the vagina. The muscle contraction is reflexive and very painful. It gets worse the closer it gets to intercourse. This often makes intercourse impossible or extremely painful.

The causes of vaginismus include fear of pregnancy, disturbed relationship between partners and sexual injuries (rape, childhood sexual harassment, failed sexual initiation). Another cause of vaginismus may be the belief that sex was a bad thing in childhood and should be avoided.

The treatment uses a combination of pharmacotherapy and various forms of psychotherapy.

About the authorAnna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.

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Category:

Female diseases