Vaginal Pain – What it is, Causes and Treatments

Pain can occur before, during or after sex. In some cases, dyspareunia does not indicate any health problem – however, if it is persistent and interferes with the progress of sexual intercourse, it is necessary to seek medical help.

Causes of Vaginal Pain: Vaginal  Pain can be confined to your vaginal area. Or, it may radiate down your pelvis or cervix . The most common cause of Vaginal Pain is infection include:

• Fungal infection
• gonorrhea
• chlamydia

Other potential causes of Vaginal Pain  include:

• Trauma caused by sex, childbirth, surgery or other medical procedures
• Vulvovaginal atrophy due to a drop of estrogen after menopause
• Vestibulite vulvar
• cervical cancer

Vaginal pain can also result from a condition called dyspareunia. This is a medical term for painful intercourse. It can be caused by insufficient lubrication during sex, hormonal changes, or a lack of sexual arousal. Vaginal Pain can also stem from psychological conditions, such as a history of sexual abuse. In some cases, your doctor may not be able to determine the cause of your Vaginal Pain . Vulvodynia is the medical term for chronic Vaginal Pain with no known cause.

Symptoms of Vaginal Pain:  The specific symptoms of vaginal pain and discomfort vary depending on the underlying cause. For example, vulvar vestibulitis is a condition that causes pain only when there is pressure on your vagina. In contrast, vulvodynia is a condition that causes constant, chronic pain. Depending on your specific condition, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms associated with Vaginal Pain :

• Burning
• Itch
• dor
• minced
• throbbing
• rawness
• Pain during intercourse

If your Vaginal Pain is caused by an infection, you may develop an abnormal vaginal discharge. For example, it may look or smell different than usual. This could indicate a yeast or bacterial infection. Pain during intercourse can occur:

• Before, during or after sexual intercourse
• In the vagina, urethra or bladder
• in the pelvis
• Only with partners or specific circumstances
• Only during penetration
• With the use of condoms.

If you have painful sex, you may experience:

• That the pain is accentuated on deeper penetration
• Itching or burning sensation.

Treating Vaginal Pain:  To relieve your Vaginal Pain , your doctor will try to treat its underlying cause. They may prescribe a multi-step approach. For example, they may recommend topical anesthetics or oral medications. In rare cases, they may recommend surgery.

Antibiotics are usually prescribed when Vaginal Pain is caused by an infection. Note that antibiotics must be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if the infection has subsided, because if you stop before the drug’s cycle of action, there is a risk that the infection will come back. Antibiotics your doctor may prescribe include:

• Clindamycin
• metronidazole
• tinidazole

NOTE: Only a doctor can tell you which drug is most suitable for you, as well as the correct dosage and duration of treatment. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter and never self-medicate. Do not stop using the drug without consulting a doctor first, and if you take it more than once or in much larger amounts than prescribed, follow the instructions on the package insert.