Sores on labia in women often have an appearance of lesions or bumps that may form around your vagina. Whereas some sores may be painful, tender, itchy, with discharge, others may form without any symptoms. We have useful information on sores on labia including causes as well as ways how to get rid of these sores.
Meaning and symptoms
This condition refers to the appearance of bumps or sores that may be red, itchy, or painful. They may bleed, especially if scratched.
You may also experience symptoms such as pain while urinating or during sexual intercourse. Depending on why you have sores, vaginal discharges may also occur.
Why do I have sores on my labia? – Causes
If you have sores on your labia, there are many things that could have contributed to this. Some of the common reasons include the following:
Shaving and sores on labia
Poor shaving of the vagina area may cause the labia or this external surface to be irritated. This may come about into knocks, bumps, pimple-like razor bumps. If not dealt with appropriately, this may bring about open bruises on the vagina.
Shampoos and cleansers
A few shampoos and cleansers contain compound components that are sensitive to a few people and may bring about sore on a vagina. Some may tingle or give a consuming sensation when used to wash or clean it and the delicate skin.
Ingrown hair on vagina
Ingrown hair on the vagina in the wake of shaving may come about into knocks or bumps that may bother and cause sore in the vaginal area. The here skin is extremely sensitive and fragile and if ingrown hair arises, you may end up with sores especially if the ingrown hair is infected.
Do not confuse ingrown hair with STD or STI infection, an ingrown hair is common after shaving your pubic area using wrong methods or tools.
Herpes-type 2
Herpes-type 2 may bring about vaginal injuries, knocks and rankles. Knocks, rashes or pimples that are loaded with liquids is a common symptom of this disease.
Syphilis
Syphilis causes ulcers that have a tendency to be red and may not be agonizing. In case of unprotected sex, consider seeing a doctor for examination.
Vaginal oils
Vaginal Lubricants may bring about hypersensitive responses. This can cause pimples on the vagina or as well as vaginal rashes that later cause open wounds.
Dry vagina
This is is a condition that is likewise alluded to as vaginal dryness. This is ordinarily brought about by low estrogen levels in the body, low levels of grease and the diminishing tissue.
It is possible to sore a dry vagina amid sex. This is a noteworthy reason for a sore on the labia, clitoris, vulva and the vaginal lips.
Tight underpants, Hot jeans, two-piece, and G-strings
Grating from tight under jeans may bring about bruises particularly on the vulva territory or the vagina. Tight jeans may cause a sudden, sweat-soaked condition on the vulva surface while strolling, running, exercises or everyday schedules while on an obligation. This may bring about vaginal bumps and pimples and open injuries on the vagina.
The use of condoms
Condoms are engineered items that are not common and the body regards them as remote components and can trigger sores on labia for some women.
This reality alone is sufficient for them to be considered as an allergen to a few people. Condoms may bring about genuine disturbances and blemishes that manifest as terrible open injuries on the vagina and vulva area.
A 2005 Study in Germany confirmed that a few condoms contain cancer-causing agents which clarify why a delayed utilization of condoms may bring about cervical or ovarian disease.
Open bruises and sores on labia may dependably be inspected to confirm is they are brought by the use of condoms or they are from STIs
What do friction blisters look like
A friction blister refers to a very soft pocket of skin that has been raised and it contains clear fluid. It is often as a result of continuous pressure or rubbing. Friction blisters usually occur on the feet or inner thigh, or on your vulva where tight or poor-fitting shoes or jeans can rub and irritate delicate toes heels inner thighs or vulva area for long periods.
Friction blister irritation could result in minor skin damages as well as damages to tissues that are just beneath your skin. This will result in fluid accumulation on your topmost skin layer. in instances where the tissue damage is serious, one may end up having a blister that has blood and hence the name blood blisters.
Contact dermatitis can also cause blisters. This is a skin reaction to allergens, like poison ivy, latex, adhesives, or irritants like chemicals or pesticides. It can cause red, inflamed skin and blistering.
Yeast infection ulcers
Vaginal yeast infection is a common fungal infection (candida infection) on the genitals. In most cases, it can result in sores bumps around the vulva. It is possible to end up with a swollen vulva, labia as well as inflammation of your vaginal walls with a possibility of having white or red patches.
Furthermore, irritation, itching, and vaginal discharge. It most commonly affects women, but men can get it too.
According to research, vulvar itching is the most common symptom and is present in most cases of vaginal candidiasis leading to sores on labia.
Why it occurs
Balanced levels of yeast and bacteria are normally present in a woman’s vagina, but disturbances in this delicate balance can lead to the development of an infection resulting in sores on labia.
Factors that increase the risk of a vaginal yeast infection or sores on labia due to yeast infection include:
- Use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, or both
- Pregnancy
- Use of hormonal contraceptives or contraceptive devices
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Being immune-compromised
Chancroid and symptoms
Chancroid infection is bacterial infections that according to healthline.com “attacks the tissue and produces an open sore that is sometimes referred to as chancroid or ulcer. This sore appears on or near the external reproductive organs. This condition affects men and women”. It is therefore characterized by the following signs and symptoms:
Chancroid men
When men have chancroid, they are likely to see a “small red-colored bump” on their genital areas which at times changes to an open sore after a day for two. This ulcer often forms on any of the male genital areas such as scrotum and penis.
Chancroid women
Healthline.com further states that “women may develop four or more red bumps on the labia, between the labia and anus, or on the thighs. The labia are the folds of skin that cover the female genitals. After the bumps become ulcerated, or open, women may experience a burning or painful sensation during urination or bowel movements”
Ingrown hairs pimples on vag after shaving
Chelsea, 17, Marina, NY on Seventeen.com had this post on the topic:
“Is it normal to get pimples near your vagina? Not in it, but around where I shave?”
“When girls, or even guys, shave their pubic hair, it’s not uncommon to get ingrown hairs. Pubic hair tends to be curlier than an arm or even head hair, which can lead to ingrown hairs. These pesky ingrown hairs can even cause pimples. If a pimple seems to be getting redder, bigger, more tender, or warm it could be a sign of infection, and you should see a doctor as soon as possible.”
To minimize chances and also the frequency of bumps and sores on labia, avoid any dry shaving, use of the shaving gel or even the cream, and shave in the direction that the hair grows rather than against it so as to prevent irritation.
Bartholin’s Cysts
It is also known as a Bartholin’s duct cyst and it “is a small fluid-filled sac just inside the opening of a woman’s vagina”. NHS.UK
If the cyst continues growing and becomes very large, one can easily see it and it may cause some discomfort since it develops into a sore like a bump on labia thus inhibit one from walking, sitting down and even having sex.
According to NHS.uk, “the cyst can sometimes affect the outer pair of lips surrounding the vagina (labia majora). One side may look swollen or bigger than usual”.
Treatment of a Bartholin’s cyst depends on the size of the cyst, how painful the cyst is and whether the cyst is infected or not.
How to get rid of sores on labia – treatments and remedies
The vagina is an imperative regenerative organ that ought to be well-taken care of. Vaginal sore and injuries on vaginal lips, vulva, and labia ought to be looked at by a specialist or a gynecologist before going for home cures. However, if you want to try some home remedies, some of the remedies include:
Vaginal lotions and greases
Amid menopause, nearly 85% of women experience dry vaginal problems because of low estrogen. As we have seen, a dry vagina can lead to labia sores. To deal with this problem, go for bioidentical phytoestrogen cream, Vagisil, and Replens among others that aide in reestablishing dampness in the vagina. This is an incredible method for keeping sore away or controlling existing in the vaginal bruises.
Eating routine and unsaturated fats
Unsaturated fat like omega 3, 6 and 9 can help in the creations of hormones that the body needs to diminish a dry vagina. This can likewise be found on fish, olive oil and flaxseed oil.
Try using Vaseline
Tenderly wash the sore dry with a spotless towel. Try not to rub on the bruises energetically. Be delicate on them. Apply Vaseline or treatments that are free from aggravations like liquor to keep the territory greased up and cool. Stay away from tight underpants.
Oils/lubricants
The most recent pattern of making seasoned vaginal oils includes the utilization of menthol to give a cooling impact, liquor and shading. This may have negative unfavorably susceptible responses to a few people. Check the substance of any grease before you apply it to keep away from bruises.
Underwear
Keep away from tight jeans while nursing injuries on the vagina and furthermore beware of the characteristics of your G-strings, hot jeans and undergarments. It is prudent to utilize those made of cotton. Cotton helps in retaining sweat and keeping the private parts and the vagina all around circulated air through.
Condoms
Beware of the kind of condoms you use during intercourse. Be perceptive on the flavors and the sort of condoms particularly elastic condoms that may bring about unfavorably responses. This will help keep the intensifying of the existing sore and keep sore on the vagina away. You may seek the assistance of a gynecologist in this.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E in its normal shape can help in revamping vaginal tissues and assuaging aggravation and vaginal dryness.