Vaginal pain, what to do?

Vaginitis manifests itself as vulvar pain. It is usually accompanied by itching and burning of the vulva. Vaginitis can be infectious. If it is infectious, a heavy vaginal discharge is seen. It is whitish and looks like curdled milk if the vaginitis is related to a mycosis. If it is related to a parasite such as trichomonas, the vaginal discharge is grayish and smelly. If the vaginal discharge is yellowish, vaginitis is related to a bacterial infection such as mycoplasma or chlamydia. In addition to the discharge, the woman experiences pain during intercourse. It can occur during penetration or when penetration is complete.

Vaginal pain can also be caused by vaginal atrophy. Common in postmenopausal women, vulvovaginal atrophy is caused by an estrogen deficiency that accelerates the deterioration of vulvovaginal tissue. The most obvious signs of vaginal atrophy are intimate dryness, dyspareunia and recurrent urinary tract infections. While vaginal atrophy is very common in postmenopausal women, not all women suffer from it. Finally, the symptoms of vaginal atrophy can appear in perimenopausal women or those who smoke.

Lichen sclerosus is a disease that affects one woman in 1000. It is located on the clitoris, the labia minora and at the entrance to the vagina. Lichen sclerosus causes pain during vaginal penetration and has an impact on the sexual life of women who suffer from it. Although it is not sexually transmitted, it prevents many women from achieving orgasm or feeling pleasure during sex. Lichen sclerosus causes the appearance of spots of different colors, but also the disappearance of the labia minora.

This term is used to define the pain that women may experience in their genital area. The pain may be generalized or localized. Vulvodynia can occur after penetration, insertion of a tampon or rubbing of underwear. It can also occur spontaneously. Women who suffer from it feel a sensation of heat, vaginal burning and irritation. The pain is usually constant and causes fear or anxiety about having sex.

Clitoridynia is pain that occurs in the clitoris. It can be considered as a localized vulvodynia. Clitoridynia is characterized by chronic pain that lasts for more than three months. These pains can be spontaneous or provoked. The causes of clitoridynia are not known. However, according to the International Society for Sexual Medicine, it is associated with vestibulodynia, lichen sclerosus or multiple sclerosis.

Vaginismus is a painful spasm in the pelvic floor muscles that makes sexual intercourse difficult. There are two forms of vaginismus: primary vaginismus and secondary vaginismus. Primary vaginismus is when the pain is present at the first penetration. As for secondary vaginismus, it is about pains that occur years later. It can start overnight with no apparent cause. Similarly, vaginismus can be caused by trauma.

These are pains that the woman feels during penetration or after it has taken place. In the case of dyspareunia, the pain can vary in intensity. It can be perceived as a simple discomfort, a sharp pain or an unbearable pain. In the case of dyspareunia, penetration is difficult or even impossible. The pain is usually located at the entrance to the vagina. However, it can be felt on the walls or in the lower abdomen.

Various dermatological conditions can cause pain or itching. If it is an autoimmune condition, it should be monitored by a gynecologist. Dermatological conditions include lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex or lichen planus. While lichen sclerosus is limited to the perineum, lichen planus can affect the vaginal area, but also the rest of the body.

Hormonal deficiencies can also cause vaginal pain. Women in perimenopause and those who are breastfeeding may experience a drop in estrogen levels. In this case, they may suffer from vulvovaginal pain.

Vaginal pain can also be caused by vaginal cancer. If this is the case, you may not experience any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Pain and other signs will only appear when the tumor has grown. Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer include abnormal bleeding, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, painful sex or a lump in the vagina.