Pregnancy is a time of joy and excitement for many women, but it can also be a time of intense physical changes. One of the most common, yet least discussed, is the pain and discomfort that can come along with the changes. From lower back pain to increased vaginal discomfort, pregnancy can take a toll on a woman’s body. Today, I’m opening up about my experience at 30 weeks pregnant and the pain I am feeling in my vagina. I want to share my story to help other pregnant women who may be feeling the same way. Through understanding my experience, I hope to provide insight into the common, yet often ignored, changes that a woman’s body can go through during pregnancy. This is my story.
Causes of vaginal pain during pregnancy
Vaginal pain during pregnancy can be brought on by a growing fetus, cervix dilation, increased blood flow to the vagina, and fungi infections.
Your pelvic ligaments swell as your uterus and baby grow to support the added weight. A sharp, shooting pain may develop as a result of overstretched ligaments and vaginal muscles. But be sure to see a doctor if you’re already experiencing vaginal pain in the first trimester.
Dilation refers to the eventual opening of your cervix. Sometimes, during the last few weeks of pregnancy, sharp, shooting vaginal pains are caused by cervical dilation. This process aids the body’s preparation for labor and delivery and is entirely normal. But if your lower abdomen is experiencing pain, see a doctor right away.
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Uterine contractions during labor cause the cervix to open as the baby positions itself correctly. The baby can pass through the birth canal thanks to effacement and dilation (when the cervix stretches and thins). This occurs toward the end of the third trimester, though it varies for each person. Some women begin to efface and dilate over a period of weeks, while others do so just before giving birth. First-time moms might not dilate until they’re in actual labor. As part of prenatal care, an OB-GYN may manually examine the cervix to track development.
Pregnancy is characterized by increased vaginal blood flow and heavy vaginal discharge. Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone produce these changes. The additional blood volume can result in pain or discomfort in the vagina.
Consult your doctor if you believe that vaginal pain you are experiencing during pregnancy is the result of a fungal infection. Due to weakened immunity during pregnancy, candida (yeast infection) is the most typical infection.
Recovery from candida during pregnancy may take longer than usual because medical professionals are hesitant to recommend cortisone medications. Consider treating it with an OTC antifungal cream or suppositories. Just remember to discuss this with your doctor first.
Startling pain can occasionally be brought on by pain coming from the pelvic ligaments as they stretch to make room for a baby. Some people may be so startled by it that they mistake it for labor. This is called lightning pain.
Some females naturally produce more relaxin and progesterone hormones, which promote additional ligament stretching and loosening. Round ligaments can experience a sensation similar to lightning flashing through your crotch when they are stretched too quickly.
This does occasionally indicate the beginning of labor. Contractions or fluid leakage, along with persistent back or lightning pain, are all indicators that the baby may be on the way. Before 37 weeks, if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, get medical help.
Another potential cause of vaginal pain is ectopic pregnancy. This occurs whenever the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. The fertilized egg will typically attach inside a uterine tube.
Ectopic pregnancies cannot be carried to term. It is impossible for the fertilized egg to survive outside of the uterus. A ruptured uterine tube due to an ectopic pregnancy can occasionally cause vaginal pain, bleeding, dizziness, and nausea. If you exhibit any signs of an ectopic pregnancy, seek medical attention.
Normal development of the baby
The pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus and vagina, are put under more strain as the baby grows and gains weight inside the uterus. This can result in severe vaginal discomfort or pain, which is more frequent in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Additionally, the pressure from the expanding baby may result in a reduction in blood flow to the pelvic region, which can make the vagina swollen and more painful.
What to do: Avoid standing for extended periods of time, apply a cold compress to the pelvic area, and rest after exercise are some ways to relieve pressure and lessen pain. Even though discomfort at the end of pregnancy is more common, it’s important to visit your obstetrician if the pain is severe and prevents you from moving around or performing other daily tasks.
Vaginal dryness is also very common during pregnancy. Although natural anxiety in pregnant women can also contribute to dryness, it is caused by an increase in progesterone. As a result, women can experience pain during sexual intercourse.
What to do: Consult with your obstetrician and determine the source of the dryness. He or she might advise using lubricant, making dietary and/or exercise changes, or engaging in practices that could help reduce anxiety.
Additionally, intense vaginal sex can cause vaginal irritation, swelling, and pain due to friction brought on by penetration or a lack of lubrication during intense vaginal sex during pregnancy.
What to do: In order to prevent lesions in the vaginal walls and pain during sexual contact, it is crucial to ensure adequate lubrication before penetration. If this is the case, it might also be suggested that you and your partner cut back on the quantity and intensity of your sex sessions to help the vagina tissue heal more quickly. You should inform your doctor or obstetrician if bleeding occurs during sexual contact.
Vaginal pain and difficulty penetrating are symptoms of a condition called vaginismus, in which the vaginal muscles contract and are unable to naturally relax. This circumstance might develop during pregnancy, but it might also exist beforehand.
What to do is speak with a pelvic floor therapist or your physician. They will examine the pelvic muscles to determine what is causing the vaginismus, and then they will recommend the best course of action.
When using specific products containing irritant ingredients, expectant mothers occasionally develop a rash in the genital region (e g. soap, condoms, vaginal creams, or lubricants). This may result in vaginal swelling, itching, redness, and pain.
What to do: It’s critical to pinpoint the product that could be causing symptoms and to stop using it right away. Apply a cold compress to the external genital region to alleviate symptoms. To get an evaluation and treatment, however, speak with your doctor if your symptoms do not subside or if they worsen.
During pregnancy, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition. It occurs as a result of physiological changes that promote the overgrowth of naturally occurring vaginal flora. Along with itchiness, a burning sensation when urinating, and cloudy urine, vaginal pain is a common sign of a UTI.
What to do: If you believe you have a UTI, especially if you feel discomfort, you should see a doctor. Treatment may involve antibiotics or antifungal medication. It’s also crucial to follow a low-sugar diet, drink a lot of water every day, and wear loose-fitting clothes like cotton pants.
STIs, or sexually transmitted infections, can hurt the vaginal wall while pregnant. This is particularly the case wuth chlamydia and genital herpes. Other symptoms include itchiness and burning.
What to do: Consult your doctor for an evaluation if you experience any symptoms that could point to an STI. Once confirmed, the doctor will begin treatment, which is probably going to involve taking medication. Avoid sexual activity while receiving treatment, and make sure your partner is aware that you want to be evaluated and possibly treated.
Additionally, Bartholins gland cysts, which result from the obstruction of the gland, can cause vaginal pain during pregnancy. Swelling and pain in the vaginal area may result from this, especially if the glands are inflamed.
What to do: Visit your doctor for evaluation if you experience any of the symptoms listed above, including a palpable lump in the vagina. If the cyst is infected, treatment may include pain medication and antibiotics. Medical review:
Yes, “lightning crotch” is a thing. Women claim it feels like an electric shock or sudden, shooting pain in the pelvis, rectus, or vagina. Isn’t Mother Nature fun?.
Perhaps you assumed vaginal pain would only occur during labor and delivery, but instead you felt a lightning strike through your genitalia. What fresh hell is this, you ask?.
Pregnancy comes with all kinds of body weirdness and discomfort. You might feel like you’re waking up in a stranger’s body every morning because your parts are shifting and stretching, hormones are making you practically inebriated, and There will be pains, some anticipated and some unexpected.