Why are labia swollen and what to do?

Some women, when faced with pathological lesions of intimate areas, are horrified and embarrassed by the need to seek help from a qualified doctor. Such a reason to visit a gynecologist may be a situation when the labia are swollen, and if this is accompanied by redness, unpleasant vaginal discharge, itching and pain symptoms, then it becomes scary to hear the diagnosis.

Why do labia swell?

Knowledge is never superfluous. And before going to see a doctor, it would not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the reasons that can answer the question of why the labia swell? The reasons that provoke swelling of this intimate area can be quite extensive and before you begin to relieve the problem, you need to correctly identify the source, since only by eliminating it can you get rid of the unpleasant symptoms.

1. One of the most common diseases that provoke swelling of the labia is bartholinitis. This is an inflammatory process caused by an infection that has entered the woman's body, occurring in the Bartholin gland and aggravated by purulent foci. The gland is located directly at the "entrance" to the vagina. A cyst that has previously formed in the gland and begun to fester can also provoke such a manifestation.

Symptoms of this disease include hyperemia of the epidermis, located in close proximity to the gland's outlet duct, as a result of ongoing inflammation. Swelling of the labia is observed, their area becomes painful, especially discomfort is aggravated by walking and sexual intercourse. Bartholinitis can be aggravated by purulent abscesses and cysts.

If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, the result of therapy is quite favorable, perhaps even self-healing. Otherwise, bartholinitis leads to an abscess. The ongoing inflammatory and purulent process often causes an increase in body temperature.

The task of the Bartholin gland is to produce "lubricant" (special mucus). If there is a failure in its work and the production of mucus decreases, this causes dryness of the reproductive organs, which causes discomfort during coitus and trauma to the genitals.

2. The second reason that provokes swelling of the labia is vulvovaginitis (an inflammatory process in the tissues of the labia). The reason for its appearance can be: irritation of the labia by mechanical contact or due to vaginal discharge, which have undergone a compound correction due to insufficient or lack of hygiene of this intimate area. With this pathology, a woman can observe swelling of the genitals, feel itching and other manifestations that lead to discomfort.
3. Candidiasis (also known as thrush) is also quite common and produces similar symptoms. The distinctive features of this disease are: cheesy vaginal discharge, an unpleasant sour smell, itching, and painful symptoms inside the vagina directly during sexual intercourse.
4. Pain in the intimate area, and directly in the labia, their swelling, the cause of which is quite difficult to determine, can be a consequence of progressive vulvodynia, which is provoked by prolonged use of antibiotics or in the case of chronic candidiasis.
5. If the labia are swollen, but in addition there is painful urination and unpleasant foul-smelling discharge of a greenish-yellow hue, the skin is itchy, such symptoms may indicate the presence of one of such diseases as vulvitis (inflammation of the external genitalia) or vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina). This pathology could be provoked by the lack of hygiene of the reproductive organs, abortions, injury, frequent change of sexual partner and many others.
6. The cause of swelling may also be an allergic reaction of the sensitive skin of intimate areas to the friction of underwear or the material of the product.

You should not diagnose yourself, only a qualified specialist can diagnose correctly. The diagnosis is made on the basis of a set of gynecological examinations and examinations, bacterioscopy. Only after this, a therapy protocol is prescribed for a specific cause, including antibacterial and immunomodulatory drugs, special medical procedures and other necessary measures.

When do the labia minora swell?

Everything in the human body is harmonious, and the labia minora, which begin to grow and develop during the girl's puberty along with her breasts, play an important role in a woman's life. In Western countries, it is believed that it is incorrect to divide this organ into labia minora and labia majora, since thirty percent of women have so-called labia minora that are larger in size than labia majora. Therefore, you can find the phrase inner labia - internal, outer labia - external labia.

If you are worried about the fact that the labia minora are swollen, you should not panic right away. First, you should understand the reason for such swelling. Nature initially laid down that the labia minora swell during sexual fantasies, direct mechanical stimulation of the female reproductive organs or in the case of direct sexual contact - and this is absolutely normal. Such swelling is not dangerous and subsequently, when sexual arousal subsides, the size of the labia minora returns to its original state and size parameters.

If the labia minora are swollen during arousal, it is not only safe, but also brings certain benefits, preparing the owner for further intimate life. This natural physiological process usually subsides after an hour or two after peak arousal, sometimes such regression lasts for four to twelve hours.

Increased swelling of the inner labia may be observed already in an adult woman during the coitus itself and the reason for this may be rubbing them with the partner's genital organ. As a rule, in such a case, it is sufficient to use a special anti-allergic lubricant. Some girls are worried about the question of the danger of masturbation. It is worth reassuring them right away. If during the process of arousal a woman does not have a rough, damaging effect on her organs, then there is nothing to worry about. As a result of self-gratification, if the above is done, there is no coarsening or reddening of the skin, no change in their original size is observed. All gossip and speculation are associated with a simple ignorance of physiology.

Now it’s worth figuring out in which cases you need to sound the alarm and seek advice from a doctor.

• If there is a change in the consistency, odor or color of vaginal discharge.
• If a woman begins to feel discomfort in the genital area, itching (in such a situation, it is first necessary to make sure that the delicate skin is not damaged by cracks or scratches, which are easy to get when removing hair in the intimate area).
• If previously unobserved lumps are felt during palpation.
• The appearance of various types of neoplasms on the skin.

In such a situation, you should not engage in self-diagnosis and self-treatment, such self-confidence can be quite dangerous and lead to undesirable consequences. It would be more reasonable to undergo an examination by an obstetrician-gynecologist and get his consultation, which should not be postponed.

Causes of Swelling of the Labia Majora

If a woman feels that the labia majora is swollen and this causes some discomfort, she should not let things slide, keep an eye on it, maybe she will be able to determine the cause of the swelling on her own.

• These may be natural, physiologically justified processes that will not cause any harm.
• A swollen labia majora may also be caused by a sexually transmitted infection.
• This may also be a consequence of poor genital hygiene.
• Infectious and parasitic lesions can also provoke an increase in the size of the external parts of the intimate area.
• Swelling can be caused by tight, uncomfortable clothing and chafing underwear.

Therefore, if the pathology does not go away, you cannot do without the help of a specialist. And you should not put off a visit to the doctor "for later".

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Causes of itching and swelling of the labia

The skin in the area of the labia is particularly sensitive, so if a woman begins to feel itching in the intimate area and the labia are swollen, then it is definitely necessary to pay more attention to this problem. These two combinations can be symptoms of quite unpleasant diseases, but only a doctor can determine the correct cause of the pathology. Therefore, if the irritation persists, and did not arise, for example, after shaving the intimate area and is able to disappear on its own, you need to see a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct a visual examination and prescribe a number of diagnostic studies, only after this can we talk about an adequate diagnosis and the appointment of effective therapy.

A medical problem when there is itching and swelling of the labia, and which needs to be solved with medication, may be the following pathology: •

Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation of the external genitalia. It can develop due to irritation caused by rubbing against underwear (the size or model is not right) or due to an allergic reaction of the girl's skin to the material of the underwear itself or its trim (lace, rolls, elastic). Vulvovaginitis can also develop as a result of active, rough, skin-damaging masturbation. This mainly occurs in teenagers. The pathology can also appear due to infection, wearing dirty panties, failure to follow basic rules of intimate hygiene.

In addition to the symptoms already indicated, this disease is also characterized by the following manifestations:

• pain symptoms during urination and when moving.
• hyperemia of the skin.
• unnatural discharge may appear, mostly greenish-yellow in color, and have an unpleasant odor.
• The appearance of painful symptoms in the vaginal opening may indicate vulvodynia. This pathology is quite difficult to diagnose, as it can affect more than one organ. Vulvodynia is an inflammatory process that affects the nerve endings located in the vulva. In addition to problematic diagnostics, this pathology is also characterized by a long period of treatment, which is based on antibiotics. The symptoms of this disease are similar to many diseases of the genital area, including sexually transmitted infections. And the correct diagnosis is not only a physiological problem, but also a psychological one. After all, no one wants to hear that they are infected with syphilis, for example.
• Itching and swollen labia can also be caused by thrush (or candidiasis), the causative agent of which is candida, a parasite of fungal origin. In any healthy organism, they are present in limited quantities, but if, in the case of certain circumstances, their quantitative growth occurs, affecting the microflora of the vagina, in this case, doctors talk about candidiasis.
• Additional symptoms may include pain during and after sexual intercourse. They are localized in the vagina itself and its entrance. Redness and irritation of the skin are also observed, and cottage cheese-like discharge with an unpleasant sour smell appears, which irritates the sensitive skin of the intimate area.
• Gardnerellosis is another possible cause of swelling and itching of the external genitalia. This disease can also be called vaginal dysbacteriosis. The causative agent of this pathology is the parasitic microorganism gardnella vaginalis.

In addition to the already known symptoms, this pathology is distinguished by:

• The appearance of pain in the genitals and groin area.
• Painful urination is observed.
• The discharge becomes watery, acquires a foamy character, the shade becomes grayish-green. The liquid has an unpleasant smell of rotten fish.

To sum up the above, it is necessary to emphasize that the result of treatment largely depends on how early the patient sought help from a doctor and how correct the treatment therapy was.

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Why are my labia swollen and itchy?

In light of the many fungi and infections that exist in the world and are ready to "settle" in the human body, any discomfort in the intimate area should alert a woman. After all, there are pathologies that do not manifest themselves for the time being, and they can only be detected by undergoing a preventive examination by a gynecologist. Therefore, you should not neglect this opportunity, because some lesions are treated quite simply, while others require more attention, effort and time. Therefore, if a woman notices that her labia are swollen and itchy - immediately go to a specialist. Only a certified doctor can determine the diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

It is worth noting that such symptoms cause significant discomfort to the owner. The desire to scratch the itchy place leads to the formation of ulcers, which not only cause pain, but also serve as a "gateway" through which various infections freely enter. The desire to scratch an intimate place can also be met with psychological discomfort, especially when a person is in a public place or the climatic features of the living area become an obstacle.

Why do labia swell after sex?

Some inexperienced girls are frightened by the situation when their lips swell after sex: they panic and get scared. In fact, nothing terrible has happened, because the labia of a woman are supplied with a large number of venous and arterial vessels, nerve endings. Since one of the erogenous zones of the female body is located in this place, their increased sensitivity leads, with any caress or simple touch, to irritation of the nerve receptors and a rush of blood, which provokes swelling of the lips of the genital area. The quantitative increase in their size depends on the individual characteristics of the body of the fair sex.

However, you should not discount pathological damage. If the change in the size of the labia is directly related only to the coitus, then you should not worry, but if the swelling does not go away even after 12 hours after intercourse, you should think about visiting a doctor, as the cause may also be a disease.

Causes of Swollen Clitoris and Labia

In most cases, there is nothing to worry about when the clitoris and labia are swollen – this may be the result of natural sexual arousal caused by sexual fantasies, caresses of a partner or masturbation. During sexual pleasure, blood flows to a woman’s genitals, including the clitoris, which causes them to swell. This is a natural process that allows a woman to prepare for intercourse. Therefore, there is no need to worry about a swollen clitoris and labia. The swelling will subside on its own some time after the end of intercourse.

Another question is if these symptoms persist after 12 hours. If there are also accompanying pathological symptoms, then the direct road to an examination by a gynecologist is necessary, and this visit should not be postponed, since such manifestations can be caused by both a bacterial infection and an imbalance in the vaginal microflora caused by a failure in the ratio of various microorganisms.

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Causes of Swollen Labia During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special period in a woman's life, which is caused by a significant restructuring of the body of the expectant mother, it also affects the woman's genital area. The fact that the labia are swollen during pregnancy can be detected both by the woman herself and by the obstetrician-gynecologist examining her. This is especially noticeable during the second and third trimesters. During this period, the blood flow to the uterus and labia increases, which makes them more swollen. This situation is absolutely normal and is due to physiology. Blood flow is the transport of nutrients and microelements that are so necessary for the normal growth and development of the fetus. The mother's body is preparing for childbirth and the blood flow is an important fact in this preparation, designed to facilitate the process of childbirth.

But you should not stop monitoring the condition of your intimate areas. If swelling is accompanied by unnatural discharge and an unpleasant odor, you should inform your obstetrician-gynecologist, because such symptoms may be caused by an infection.

There are other reasons that can affect the size of the labia. During pregnancy, blood circulation activity in the area of some organs decreases, as they are subject to pressure from the uterus and the growing fetus, which compress the blood arteries. The consequences of such an impact can be dark, ball-shaped seals (varicose veins of the labia). A third of pregnant women face such a pathology, but with a normal pregnancy, after the end of childbirth, varicose veins resolve on their own. Sometimes such a ball can burst, causing bleeding.

Swelling of the labia during pregnancy is not an indication for a cesarean section, but in some cases the obstetrician-gynecologist may take this step.

In order not to complicate the situation, it is necessary to wear comfortable underwear made of natural material. The expectant mother should rest normally, sleep only on her side, allowing the blood to circulate freely.

But the cause of swelling can also be an infectious disease. In this case, other unpleasant phenomena are added to the swelling. For example,

• A rash in the form of blisters.
• Itching and scabies of the labia.
• Unpleasant discharge.
• Erosive and ulcerative lesion of the mucous membrane.
• Elevated body temperature.

If at least one of the accompanying symptoms appears, it is necessary to inform the doctor who is monitoring the pregnancy. He will examine the pregnant woman and take a smear for flora. Do not forget that some infections are quite dangerous, especially during pregnancy. Such a lesion can lead to premature birth, miscarriage, death of the nascent life in the womb, and also lead to genetic changes in the fetus and its subsequent disability.

Other infections may pose less of a threat to the life and health of the fetus, but their development should not be tolerated.

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Causes of swelling of the labia during thrush

There are microorganisms that live in us constantly, without showing their presence. And only a confluence of certain factors can become a catalyst for their reproduction. Such microorganisms include Candida, which provokes the development of candidiasis. This pathology is less dangerous for the course of pregnancy, but still causes a lot of unpleasant minutes. The labia swell with thrush - this is one of the symptoms of this pathology. Its accompanying symptoms are necessarily unusual white cheesy profuse discharge. This irritating factor begins to cause itching in the genitals. They want to scratch them all the time, which in turn leads to even greater swelling, hyperemia and the appearance of small wounds, which can become an additional "gateway" for another infection. During coitus and after its completion, a woman may be haunted by pain in the vagina and at the exit from it.

If similar symptoms are observed, it is worth contacting a specialist and undergoing the necessary examination. Modern therapy of thrush with antifungal drugs is quite successful and takes only a few days.

Treatment for swollen labia

If you feel discomfort in your intimate area, do not postpone visiting a specialist in the hope that everything will go away on its own. In this situation, a gynecologist or dermatovenerologist can help. Only he can conduct a comprehensive examination and make a correct diagnosis. And only after establishing the root cause, a specialist can prescribe a protocol for treating swollen labia, which is due to the identified pathology.

In most cases, this is the use of antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial drugs.

For example, the effective antifungal drug flucostat is used to combat many fungal infections. The drug is prescribed in an amount of 50 to 150 mg taken once a day. The duration of administration can vary from two to four weeks. This parameter is controlled by the attending physician depending on the pathogen, the severity of the pathology and the general health of the patient.

Contraindications to flucostat include hypersensitivity to triazole compounds, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childhood up to one year.

Fluconazole is an analogue of flucostat, used orally according to a scheme similar to the first drug. The only difference is that it is somewhat weaker than the first, so it is prescribed in a slightly higher dosage. Its quantitative component is determined only by the attending physician.

A doctor may prescribe antihistamines if an allergic reaction of any genesis is diagnosed.

Amyzol is prescribed orally. The daily dosage involves the administration of 0.75 - 1 g of the drug, divided into three doses. It is not recommended to take this drug if the patient is hypersensitive to the components of Amyzol, in case of myocardial infarction, pregnancy.

Loratadine-Verte is administered orally at 10 mg once a day. In case of renal or hepatic insufficiency, the dose of the drug is reduced by half or the same amount is used every other day.

It is not recommended to prescribe to patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, in case of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Often the doctor prescribes an antiseptic: a local ointment or tincture.

Betadine is applied in a thin layer to the affected area two to three times a day; to avoid damaging your underwear, you can use an occlusive dressing or a regular pad.

Contraindications to the drug include: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug and pathological failures in the thyroid gland. It should be used with caution during pregnancy and lactation.

In case of dysbacteriosis, the attending physician may prescribe medications to the patient to maintain the balance of necessary beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Such as, for example, Canadian yogurt, Linex, bifidobacteria, which the doctor prescribes orally, one or two suppositories in three daily approaches. The drug is used half an hour before meals. The duration of therapy is adjusted by the attending physician and can last from one to two weeks, and in severe, protracted pathologies, up to a month.

During pregnancy, the drug is administered one suppository at a time, one or two times a day (the drug is used in this case only for mild pathology).

It is not recommended to use the drug only in case of increased sensitivity of the patient's body.

It would not be superfluous to use drugs that stimulate the immune system, such as, for example, apilak, imudon, imunorix, sodium nucleinate, methyluracil.

The biological stimulant apilak is taken sublingually (under the tongue) at 10 mg of the drug three times a day. The duration of the course of treatment is from 10 to 15 days.

Contraindications for the use of apilak include Addison's disease (decreased adrenal function), hereditary hypersensitivity to the components of the drug (idiosyncrasy), including bee products. Immunorix is an excellent medicine that stimulates the process of immune growth. Taking the drug is not tied to the time of food consumption. A single dose of 0.8 g, which corresponds to two bottles, is used twice a day. The course of treatment involves 15 days of use, in the case of maintenance therapy, the duration of use of the drug can be determined by two months.

It is not recommended to use Immunorix if the patient is diagnosed with such pathologies as increased intolerance to pimotiod or parabens, other components of the drug, with a predisposition to allergies, in case of hyperimmunoglobulinemia E, the intake of the drug is controlled by the attending physician. It is also not prescribed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What to do if the labia are swollen?

The question arose, what to do if the labia are swollen? The answer is clear - go to a medical institution for an examination and consultation with a specialist. The doctor will look and prescribe the necessary tests. There are many cases when swelling of the labia is associated with natural physiological processes occurring in the woman's body. Such options do not require any external influence and can go away on their own.

To maximally exclude the occurrence of these symptoms, it is necessary to adhere to several simple rules in your daily life:

• Careful care and compliance with all hygiene requirements of intimate areas.
• Regular daily change of underwear, it should not be dirty.
• Underwear should be of a comfortable style and the required size. It should not rub or restrict movement.
• It is advisable to wear underwear made from natural fabrics, this will reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
• Monitor your diet. Sometimes, eating certain foods can trigger an allergy, which will lead to swelling and itching of the tissues of the intimate area, including the labia.
• If this pathology is accompanied by concomitant symptoms, you need to seek help from a doctor without delay and follow all his recommendations.
• If you experience dryness of the vaginal mucosa, you need to use special intimate gels that will protect the genitals from injury during sexual intercourse.
• When removing hair from intimate areas, use only your own razor; in case of severe irritation, use an antiseptic.
• In everyday life, it is better to use white pads. They contain fewer dyes, which can become an additional trigger for an allergic reaction.
• A stressful situation can also provoke the pathology in question. You should try to be less nervous.
• Do everything possible to avoid abortion.
• You should not spray on several sexual partners. Such carelessness increases the risk of infection.
• Don't neglect regular preventive examinations.

Only careful attention to your body will allow you to avoid multiple health problems.

The issue of healthy genitals worries everyone, but it is especially relevant for women of childbearing age, therefore, if any discomfort in the intimate areas appears, including when the labia are swollen, it is worth determining its root cause and her attending doctor will help the woman with this. The fair sex is only required to monitor themselves, their health and, at the first unpleasant symptoms, without delay, contact a specialist. It is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations and a favorable result is guaranteed.