Definition
A vaginal pain is an unpleasant pain in the genital area, which manifests itself mainly in the vaginal entrance (introitus). It can also spread to adjacent regions of the genital area, such as the labia and vulva. The pain can have different intensities and qualities.
Depending on the underlying cause, vaginal pain is felt either as a stabbing or dull sensation. Some vaginal pain only manifests itself under mechanical stress – especially during vaginal intercourse – whereas other causes can lead to permanent pain, even at rest. Vaginal pain is not a disease in itself, but rather a possible symptom of various diseases.
Causes of vaginal pain
Vaginal pain is not only subjectively very stressful for those affected, but usually also part of a serious illness. If vaginal pain occurs, it should be clarified promptly by an examination at the gynecologist, as there are very different causes for the pain. A frequent cause of vaginal pain is vaginal mycosis.
Every woman suffers from an unpleasant vaginal fungus once in her life. This usually manifests itself through itching and crumbling discharge. However, the longer a vaginal mycosis is not treated properly, or not treated at all, the more the itching turns into a dominant vaginal pain.
This has a burning character and is intensified mainly by mechanical stress in the form of sexual intercourse. You can find detailed information on this topic at Burning during or after sexual intercourse A bacterial infection, bacterial vaginosis, can also lead to burning pain. This is particularly noticeable during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).
Itching, pain when urinating, a fishy smell of the vagina and a thin, yellowish discharge are also typical. Another cause of vaginal pain is endometriosis. In this disease, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found outside the uterus in other parts of the body.
About 2-10% of all women suffer from endometriosis. In the vagina, the misplaced tissue mainly causes pain during sexual intercourse, which makes it virtually impossible. The pain is often cycle-dependent (during menstruation) and can be accompanied by other complaints such as spotting.
Vaginal pain, which occurs mainly during sexual intercourse or when inserting a tampon, is also often caused by a so-called vaginismus. This is an involuntary cramping of the vaginal muscles. In rare cases, malignant tumor diseases are hidden behind vaginal pain.
These can lead to accompanying symptoms such as fever, night sweats and unintentional weight loss. In addition, the tumor can also be palpable or look like a non-healing wound. Especially women of advanced age should quickly consult a doctor in case of such complaints, since vaginal cancer is more common in older women.
A common cause of vaginal pain in women of childbearing age is natural childbirth. Excessive vaginal hygiene is also a frequent cause of vaginal pain. Very alkaline washing lotions and shower gels in particular destroy the vaginal flora and can thus lead to pain.
Vaginal injuries also cause pain. These are usually felt when inserting a tampon or during vaginal sexual intercourse. Finally, the so-called senile colitis or estrogen deficiency colitis can be mentioned as a cause of vaginal pain. During menopause, the falling estrogen level causes severe itching, bloody discharge and vaginal dryness, which is associated with vaginal pain.
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