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Swollen Vaginal Area: Causes and Treatments

You will probably worry the minute you realize that something is wrong with your vaginal area. You will especially worry if you notice that the vaginal area has become swollen over the night. Usually the labia minora and labia majora, which make the vaginal lips, become swollen. Even though these changes are a normal experience that a lot of women go through their sexual active life, do not feel embarrassed. It might be due to something ridiculous, but also it could be due to something more serious. Go and get checked up. With proper gynecological treatment your swollen vaginal area will be back to normal soon.

What Causes Swelling of the Vaginal Area?

Infections – of the vaginal area or even infections of the cervix uteri can cause swollen vaginal area together with other signs and symptoms. If you think that infections are the cause of these changes of the vaginal area you should get a medical examinations Brooklyn and get the right treatment (Read also: Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PID)). Some of the infections are also sexually transmitted, so, it is important to let your partner also know about the results of your tests and the type of infection you might have. Sexual abstinence is also often recommended for a couple of days, until a couple of weeks.

Edema – means retention of the water in the human body. Edema could be due to pregnancy, diabetes, high intake of salt, cardiovascular problems, kidney problems, etc. No matter what the real cause of edema is, the pelvic veins and the vaginal tissue can become swollen.

Chemical irritants – tampons, pads, soaps, creams, lubricants and even condoms that are routinely used in everyone daily life could cause an irritation of the skin in the genital area, but also its swelling. If you are allergic to a certain product like to latex, from which condoms are made, you can develop a condition known as allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis. Once, the contact with the specific allergen is avoided, the skin and the surrounding of the swollen vaginal area will be back to normal. The most important thing is to identify the substance you are allergic to and later avoid it in your life.

Cyst and Abscess: Causes and Treatment

Abscess or Cysts – could be seen at any time during a woman’s life. They could be caused due to a physical injury of the genital area, birth trauma or any other reason. Bartholinitis is an infection of the Bartholin glands that are located around the opening of your vagina. If swollen vaginal area is caused due to an abscess or a cyst located in the genital area you should seek medical help as they usually require treatment.

Pregnancy – it is normal that during the later stage of pregnancy, a certain swelling of the vaginal area to occur. This is due to the uterus expand as the baby grows over the months.

Other less common causes of swelling of the vaginal area include: rough intercourse, straddle injuries or cancerous tumor’s located in the genital area (Learn also: Cancer Prevention).

Swollen Vaginal Area Treatment

The treatment will depend from its cause. No matter what the cause is, you should first get a total medical examination in order to get the right diagnose. Once, you have the right diagnosis for your condition, the treatment begins. If infections are the cause, your doctor will usually prescribe you antibiotics or anti-fungal creams, depending from the type of the infection that causes swollen vaginal area. It is recommended to abstinence from sex for a couple of days until a couple of weeks while your genital area is healing. It is also recommended to avoid irritants like condoms, lubricants, tampons, pads, etc., which can make the situation worse. This is especially recommended in cases when you are allergic to a certain product.

 

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About Author

Dr. Dmitry Bronfman

Dmitry Bronfman, MD, is a board-certified gynecologist who specializes in all aspects of contemporary women’s health, preventive medicine, pelvic pain, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, and general, adolescent, and menopausal gynecology.

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