Wounds in the vagina or vulva can arise for a variety of reasons, and can mainly occur due to friction during sexual intercourse, allergies to clothing or sanitary pads or as a result of hair removal done without much care.
However, these wounds can also be indicative of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as genital herpes, syphilis or chancroid, for example, and be accompanied by other symptoms such as discharge, bleeding and pain during intimate contact.
It is important to consult a gynecologist whenever wounds appear in the vagina, so that more specific tests can be carried out to indicate the cause of the wound, and the most appropriate treatment can be started.
What could be your sores in your vagina?
To find out the possible cause of your vaginal sores, please answer the following questions:
This tool should only be used to try to identify the possible cause of the wounds in the vagina and, therefore, should not replace a consultation with a doctor, who is the professional responsible for diagnosing and recommending the most appropriate treatment.
Main causes of sores in the vagina
The main causes of vaginal sores include:
1. Allergies
Allergies on the skin of the vagina or vulva can lead to the appearance of wounds, which can be caused by skin irritation due to the use of chemical substances, such as soaps, intimate deodorant, talcum powder or scented toilet paper, for example.
Furthermore, the wound in the vagina can also arise due to an allergy to the material of the underwear, the condom or intimate lubricant, as one of the symptoms related to the allergy is itching in the genital region, which favors the appearance of wounds. Learn about other causes of itchy vagina and what to do.
What to do: It is important to try to identify what is causing the allergy to avoid contact with the fabric or substance. Therefore, it is recommended to always try to wear cotton clothes and use soaps that are suitable for the intimate area or that do not contain many chemicals and perfumes. Furthermore, if you suspect an allergy to latex, you should avoid using condoms made from this material and opt for synthetic polyisoprene ones.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
2. Injuries
The wound in the vagina or vulva region can arise from wearing tight underwear that causes friction, friction during sexual intercourse or injury during intimate waxing.
What to do: In these cases, the wound normally heals on its own after a few days, however, to promote healing it is important to avoid waxing and sexual intercourse while the wound is present. If no improvement is observed after a few days, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist to check the need to use ointments that facilitate healing.
Read too: 6 ointments for cuts in private parts (and how to use them)
3. Herpes genital
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which can be transmitted through contact with a partner’s blisters through unprotected sexual intercourse.
Infection with this virus can lead to the appearance of blisters on the vagina or vulva, which can rupture and form sores, which are itchy and painful. Herpes sores, in addition to appearing in the vagina, can also appear in the perianal region or anus. Know how to identify all the symptoms of genital herpes.
What to do: you should consult a gynecologist to diagnose genital herpes, and begin the most appropriate treatment, which is normally done with the use of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, valacyclovir or famciclovir, for about 7 days, as they prevent the multiplication of the virus. virus, allowing the skin to heal, in addition to avoiding controlling the appearance of other blisters and wounds.
4. Syphilis
Syphilis is also a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pale transmitted through intimate contact without using a condom.
This infection can cause the appearance of a single sore on the vagina or vulva, with raised and hardened edges, small or medium in size and reddish in color and that does not cause pain, generally appearing around 3 weeks after infection, and usually disappears after 3 to 6 weeks.
What to do: The treatment recommended by the gynecologist must be carried out, which generally includes the use of antibiotics in injection form, such as penicillin. It is important to follow the treatment time recommended by your doctor. In addition, the partner must also be treated. See more details on how syphilis is treated.
5. Mol cancer
The sore in the vagina may arise due to chancroid, which is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Haemophilus ducreyiwhich causes multiple, painful wounds or ulcers with pus or blood.
Generally, the chancroid sore appears around 4 to 10 days after infection, and in some cases lumps or lumps may also appear in the groin area. See other symptoms of chancroid.
What to do: The treatment of chancroid must be carried out under the guidance of a gynecologist and includes the use of antibiotics, such as azithromycin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin or ciprofloxacin, which can be administered in a single dose orally or divided into seven days. In some cases it may be necessary for the treatment to be carried out by intramuscular injection, according to the doctor’s recommendation. Check out all the treatment options for chancroid.
6. Lymphogranuloma venereum
Lymphogranuloma venereum is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatisand usually causes painless, fluid-filled wounds or small lumps, which can appear 3 to 5 days after infection.
Additionally, the sores or lumps can turn into painful, deep ulcers at the site of the infection, which can bleed, and be accompanied by sores in the groin that usually appear about 2 to 6 weeks after the initial sores disappear.
What to do: treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a gynecologist, who may recommend the use of antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria. It is important that the partner also undergoes treatment advised by the doctor, even if she does not have symptoms, as this makes it possible to prevent retransmission. Find out how lymphogranuloma venereum is treated.
7. Donovanose
Donovanosis, also known as inguinal granuloma, is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Klebsiella granulomatisand after 3 days of infection it can lead to swelling in the genital region, which, when left untreated, can cause wounds or ulcers that increase over time and can bleed easily.
What to do: The treatment of donovanosis is done with antibiotics prescribed by the gynecologist, to eliminate the bacteria. In cases of more extensive injuries, the doctor may recommend surgery. See how donovanosis is treated.
8. Monkeypox
Monkeypox, or Monkeypox, is an infection caused by viruses of the genus Orthopoxvirus, resulting in symptoms such as fever, chills, blisters or sores on the skin, which itch and hurt and can appear on the skin in any region of the body or genitals, and it is also common to appear bumps in the groin. Know how to identify all the symptoms of monkeypox.
Monkeypox can be transmitted from person to person through contact with respiratory secretions, direct contact with secretions from blisters and wounds, contact with contaminated objects, or contact with lesions in the genital region, which also increase the risk of transmission through of sexual intercourse.
What to do: You should consult a gynecologist or infectious disease specialist to confirm the diagnosis and recommend treatment with antivirals, such as tecovirimat, or medications to alleviate symptoms, such as paracetamol or dipyrone, for example. In addition, the doctor must recommend isolation to avoid transmitting the disease to other people.
9. Hidradenitis suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a rare condition caused by inflammation of the apocrine glands in the genital region, which are responsible for the production of sweat, resulting in wounds in the vagina or in areas close to the vulva, or nodules and abscesses in the skin, usually involving the groin, close to the roots of the thighs, armpits, chest or buttocks.
This condition is more common in pubertal girls and young women, usually caused by hormonal changes or bacterial infections, for example.
What to do: The treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa involves the use of antibiotics prescribed by the gynecologist, such as clindamycin or doxycycline. However, more serious cases may require surgical treatment. See how hidradenitis suppurativa is treated.
10. Infectious mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis is an infectious disease caused by the virus Epstein-Barrtransmitted through saliva, which causes symptoms such as high fever, pain and inflammation of the throat, whitish plaques in the throat and lumps in the neck.
However, despite being rare, infectious mononucleosis can also cause wounds or ulcers in the genital region, when touching the mouth and touching the genitals or having intimate orogenital contact.
What to do: You should consult a gynecologist or general practitioner to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment, which can be done with the use of analgesics or anti-inflammatories, to alleviate symptoms, or antibiotics, in case other infections arise. Furthermore, it is recommended to rest and drink plenty of fluids, such as water, teas or natural juices to speed up the recovery process.
11. Autoimmune diseases
Some autoimmune diseases can also cause wounds in the genital region, such as Behçet’s disease, Reiter’s syndrome, lichen planus, erythema multiforme, complex aphthosis, pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, or dermatitis herpetiformis, for example.
These diseases tend to be rarer, and can appear in young, adult or elderly women, and can also manifest as ulcers in the oral or anal region, for example.
Wounds caused by autoimmune diseases may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, weakness, weight loss or impairment of other organs, such as kidneys and blood circulation.
What to do: If the woman has an autoimmune disease, or has a family history of autoimmune disease, it is recommended to notify the gynecologist as soon as the wound is noticed, so that medication can be taken to regulate immunity, such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants and specific ointments. to help the wound heal.
Furthermore, as autoimmune diseases can lead to hypersensitivity reactions, it is recommended to avoid the use of allergenic products, such as cosmetics, as well as very spicy foods, which have a strong color and smell, for example.
12. Vaginal cancer
Cancer is a rare cause of sores in the vagina that usually cause itching, bad smell and discharge, and is more common in older women.
The chance of a sore in the vagina becoming cancer is greater when it is caused by the HPV virus. Know how to identify all the symptoms of vaginal cancer.
What to do: If a woman knows she has HPV, as soon as it is possible to notice the wound with secretion, it is recommended that she see a gynecologist, so that a biopsy can be done and, if confirmed, start treatment for vaginal cancer, which normally involves removal of the site affected by surgery, in addition to completing treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and checking nearby lymph nodes.
