Health Conditions
Swelling Around the Vaginal Region (Vulva)
Swelling around the vaginal region (vulva) may involve the vaginal lips, labia minora, or the labia majora. There are myriad causes of such swelling that can often be easily differentiated based on location, appearance, and other concomitant symptoms.
Swelling in the vulvar region may be generalized or may be confined to one or more structures. It may be unilateral or bilateral. The causes are variable depending on the specific presentation. Localized swelling could be due to cysts, abscesses, or hernia. Generalized swelling is more likely due to infectious, edematous, or allergic causes.
Vaginal swelling may require immediate medical condition. Patients who experience vagina swelling and other associated symptoms like severe pain and/or tenderness, high fever, and bleeding should seek immediate medical care. These other symptoms might develop after the swelling.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe swelling
- Severe pain/tenderness
- High fever
- Bleeding
- You feel it is necessary
Swelling in the vulvar region is a symptom, so management depends upon its cause. If the cause is an allergic reaction or chemical irritation, then it's best to avoid that substance. Treatment for infectious conditions is a specific antimicrobial agent that depends on the causative microorganism. Surgery is the only definitive treatment in cases like cystic swellings and hernia. However, it may be delayed or avoided if the swelling is determined to be innocuous with a low risk of complications.
Table: Common causes of Swollen Vagina / Swollen Labia Minora / Swollen Vaginal Lips
|
Cause |
Comments |
|---|---|
|
Edema |
Due to reduced venous or lymphatic drainage. Numerous causes |
|
Allergy and Irritation |
Allergic reaction or irritation to chemicals or latex |
|
Cellulitis |
Bacterial skin infection |
|
Vulvovaginitis |
Inflammation of vulva and vagina. Usually due to infection. |
|
Cervicitis |
Inflammation of the cervix |
|
Bartholin's Cyst |
Cystic swelling due to blocked Bartholin's gland |
|
Gartner's duct cysts |
Cyst in the sidewalls of the vagina. |
|
Vaginal Inclusion Cyst |
May occur after injury to vaginal wall, e.g. During childbirth. |
|
Trauma |
Straddle Injuries, Rough sexual intercourse |
|
Pregnancy |
Enlarging uterus puts pressure on the blood vessels in pelvis, reducing venous return |
|
Hernia |
Generally unilateral and swelling reducible. |
|
Vulvar Abscess |
Develops after simple infections in skin or layers below it. |
|
Hypertrophy of Labia Minora |
Enlarged labia minora, probably normal |
Edematous swelling is a generalized swelling around the vagina that is usually present on both sides. The skin may show some changes if it's been swollen for an extended period of time. Edematous swelling is often either due to poor lymphatic drainage or venous drainage of the region. There are numerous causes of this poor drainage. Poor venous drainage may occur in pregnancy due to pressure of enlarging uterus on the veins in the pelvis.
Local allergic reaction could also give rise to generalized vaginal swelling. Usually the allergic reaction is in response to any chemical applied locally, such as soaps, bubble baths, vaginal contraceptives, sprays, lubricants, creams etc. Allergic reaction to latex (condoms) might also result in vaginal swelling after sexual intercourse. Chemical irritation from the aforementioned chemicals, without an allergic reaction, may also result in swelling in the vulvar region. This condition is referred to as irritant contact dermatitis, and the previously mentioned condition is called allergic contact dermatitis.
Infections are a significant cause of vaginal swelling. Inflammation of the vagina and cervix, known as vulvovaginitis and cervicitis respectively, often result in swollen vaginal lips. However, one or more other concomitant symptoms usually present as the main symptoms. Skin infections like cellulitis may also result in swollen vulva and often in severe pain. These infections may later form a vulvar abscess if not treated completely.
Bartholin's gland is located posterior to the vaginal opening on both sides. Sometimes blockage of this gland gives rise to cystic swelling. This is referred to as Bartholin's cyst. The fluid inside the cyst may occasionally get infected, resulting in a Bartholin's abscess. Similar cysts may also develop in a structure known as Gartner's duct, which generally disappears after birth, but in rare cases may persist. Another common cystic swelling is the vaginal inclusion cyst.
Vaginal swelling after straddle injuries need to be thoroughly evaluated, especially if associated with other symptoms including severe pain, blood in the urine, etc. One may determine this based on the severity of the injury, whether it's mild or requires urgent medical attention. Swelling of the vaginal lips may also occur after rough sexual intercourse, which usually resolves itself.
Discussions(11) Add New
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Please help me! Why is my pussy swollen? I went to see the doctor. He tested me and told me it is not a STD. I think no matter what causes super swollen pussy. You should see a doctor and take a test. If the swelling is caused by STD, it must be a very tough problem.
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The swollen vagina lips have been there for one week. I have read this article and the comments. I have very similar pains with you. After reading this article, I know it may due to many possible causes. I decide to see a doctor. Good luck, ladies!
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I don’t have rough sex. Why does the vagina swell? Is it due to infection or another other medical problems, such as edema, cervicitis, hernia, etc? I am very worried.
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My vulva is swollen after sex. My doctor told me to stop sex for about two weeks, which is his method. There is no other ways that I can follow.
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Hi, guys, after having sex, my vagina swells up. The left vagina lip swells up, not all the vagina area. Now, it hurts when I have sex so that I nearly want to stop every time. We don’t have STD. I have seen my doctor. However, none of them help me relieve the pain!!!!
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Hey, this is very good article. However, you don’t tell me any preventions or methods on how to reduce vaginal swelling. You know, this is an embarrassing problem. I don’t want to see my doctor. If you provide us some home remedies, it would be better. Anyway, this is still an excellent article. You tell us the possible causes.
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After two days of swelling, my boyfriend told me that I had an enlarged vagina. I am very worried. I don’t even want to have sex anymore. After reading this article, I will see a doctor and find the deep cause of my swelling in vagina.
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Why is my vagina swollen? After reading this article, I only know the possible causes. But what is my problem? According to the table in this article, I only know my possible cause may be vulvovaginitis since I am easy to have infections.
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My vagina is swollen. I have seen my doctor. She told me it may be due to other serious problems. I am very worried. After reading this article, I know the possible cause of my vagina swelling. I have not seen my boyfriend for more than three month. He came to see me at the weekend. I am so embarrassed.
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Nice article! After reading it, I know what causes vaginal swelling! It must be due to allergic reaction. I wore new underwear yesterday, and then my vagina lips begin to swelling. Thanks for this article. I have to throw away the underwear.
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I went to my doctor today for the same problem and more. However my doctor reassured me that the swollen outer labia is only yeast, possibly an infection depending on the severity. Whew! He prescribed me the well known diflucan and said the itching and swelling should be gone in a few days. I got the swollen vagina from antibiotics but I noticed quite a few of the other posts had it after sex... Your body creates alot of yeast during sex bc of the moisture so that may be why you are getting the swollen labia. How to treat it? Maybe ask your doctor about diflucan for yeast infections or get the over the counter creams that work great also. Hope it works ladies!