It might leave you wondering what the heck is causing it and what you should do about it. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. The pain could be coming from your actual vagina the internal organ or from the labia and skin that form your vulva your outside genitalia. So where does that leave you? Yeast infections cause swelling, itching and pain, especially during sex or urination. Yeast infections can be triggered by antibiotics. Herpes is considered a sexually transmitted disease. A herpes infection causes raw, painful sores that lasts from 3 to 14 days.

1. Vulvar infections

COVID-19: Advice, updates and vaccine options
Vaginal pain can put a serious damper on things think: sex, going to the bathroom. Unfortunately, you don't get to pick and choose your ailments. But you can educate yourself and advocate for yourself! For starters, it's important to distinguish you pain points. Simon, MD , George H. Gardner professor of clinical gynecology at Northwestern University. But in reality you could actually be talking about your vulva, uterus, a hernia, or severe cramping in the pelvic or abdominal region. Not sure where your discomfort is coming from?
Related Articles
Vulvodynia vul-voe-DIN-e-uh is chronic pain or discomfort around the opening of your vagina vulva for which there's no identifiable cause and which lasts at least three months. The pain, burning or irritation associated with vulvodynia can make you so uncomfortable that sitting for long periods or having sex becomes unthinkable. The condition can last for months to years. If you have vulvodynia, don't let the absence of visible signs or embarrassment about discussing the symptoms keep you from seeking help. Treatment options are available to lessen your discomfort.
Several health issues can relate to vaginal pain, and that pain can range from very mild to severe. The pain may only occur in the vaginal area or it may also occur in pelvis or cervix. The specific symptoms of vaginal pain and discomfort vary depending on the root cause. Early treatment and intervention may help provide relief from vaginal pain and lower the risks of complications. Vaginal pain could be the symptom of many different underlying causes, but the most common cause of vaginal pain is infection. Different types of infection it could indicate are:. Another common condition that causes vaginal pain is dyspareunia, which is a medical term for difficult or painful intercourse. You may be experiencing dyspareunia if you are experiencing any of the following:. Causes of dyspareunia can range from minor problems to other serious underlying conditions. These causes include:.