Feeling punctures in the vagina is very uncomfortable. This pain manifests abruptly and sharply, can be more or less intense, and is characterized by the perception of a localized pressure that appears and disappears.
When we talk about the vagina, in this case, we refer to the entire lower area of the female reproductive system. Therefore, pain can come from internal organs, but also from the vulva.
That whole region is very sensitive. Hormonal changes affect and involve discomfort, as with pregnancy, but it is also susceptible to infections.
The following list of causes of punctures in the vagina is only indicative. The presence of the symptom should lead you to consult with a doctor.
1. Crushes in the vagina by pregnancy
Pregnancy is a stage of multiple changes in the woman’s body. The most obvious is the increase in the size of the uterus to accommodate the growing fetus.
Around the womb, there are ligaments and muscle fibers that connect it to the rest of the pelvic area. Therefore, when their enlargement occurs, the other nearby structures are also stretched.
So punctures could be perceived in the vagina simply because they are pregnant. Symptoms are more common at the beginning of pregnancy.
In some women, pelvic waist pain syndrome occurs. This is a lack of comfort in many parts of the pelvis, lower back, hips, and even the vulva. It is a more complex picture, difficult to manage and that can last after childbirth.
Pregnants may also suffer from vaginism and that causes vaginal pain. Although it is not usually a very high-precision cause, up to 1 percent of women suffer from it.
2. Vaginal trauma
Pricks in the vagina can originate as pain due to sexual practices. Sudly interactions, vigorous relationships, or the use of foreign objects during masturbation could lead to small trauma in the tissue of the vulva or inside the vaginal duct.
Any trauma to the reproductive system involves inflammation. This inflammation may be more or less severe and prolonged over time if the stimulus that causes it continues.
In general, small wounds tend to close and heal on their own. Their only complication would be the possibility of them becoming infected.
3. Shoot
Dyspareunia refers to persistent or recurrent pain during or after sexual activity. In women, it can occur in vaginal penetration or at any other time of intercourse.
The causes behind the dyspareunia are diverse and include the following:
- Physical: infections of the urinary or sexually transmitted tract, endometriosis, vaginism, or inflammatory pelvic disease (PPE).
- Hormones: menopause, pregnancy, or the use of certain medicines.
- Psychological: anxiety, stress, depression, history of sexual trauma.
- Lack of lubrication: causes friction and pain during penetration.
Treatment of punctures in the vagina by dyspareunia depends on the condition diagnosed. Psychological therapy is often combined with medication and physiotherapy to help relax pelvic muscles.
4. Prows in the vagina by physical exercise
In some women, there is swelling in the vulva after exercise. Especially when it was high intensity. It would be the case with weightlifting, squatting in multiple repetitions, and pelvic elevation practices.
Similarly, sports such as horseback riding and cycling are a frequent cause of discomfort in the genitals. They are activities that decrease pressure in the area and can irritate the vulva. Among bicycle users, more than half have an overuse urogenital injury.
Although it is not recommended to suspend exercise, the intensity can be regulated to control the symptoms. You also have to check the underwear used, prioritizing a garment that is not so tight.
5. Sexual transmission infections
STD-borne infections are contagious diseases that are transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral contact. Many of them, once they settled into the woman’s body, are pictured in the vagina, such as the following:
- Chamidiasis: by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It caused abnormal vaginal flow, pain when urinating, and, in more serious cases, also pelvic pain.
- Gonorrhea: by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, with symptoms similar to chlamydiasis, including abnormal vaginal flow.
- Trichomoniasis: by a single-celled parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. There is vaginal itching, smelling flow, and pain when urinating, along with punctures.
- Genital herpes: by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), can manifest with painful blisters in the vagina or anus. If the blisters break, they form ulcers.
Treatment is applied according to the causal agent. This requires a diagnosis that can only be made by a doctor.
6. Inflammatory pelvic disease or PPE
IPI is a serious infection of the female reproductive system. It affects the uterus and fallopian tubes, with extension to other nearby structures.
In general, it derives from an STI that ascends and is not treated in time. Therefore, it is considered, almost always, of bacterial origin.
Their complications are serious. Among them, is infertility.
In addition to the punctures in the vagina, it is pain in the lower abdomen, abnormal vaginal flow, and dyspareunia. There may also be fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Health care is essential as soon as possible in the PPE.
7. Endometriosis
In endometriosis, a tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows out of the organ. So it is located in the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the inside of the pelvis, and, in less common cases, in the intestine.
In addition to complications related to the menstrual cycle and infertility, pains may be experienced. The punctures will appear if the abnormal tissue is located near the vaginal area. Perhaps it becomes more evident during sexual intercourse or physical exercise.
8. Várices Vulvares
The appearance of varicose veins in the vulva is a cause of genital pain. They are the result of the dilation of the veins located on the lips of the elderly and minors.
Beyond the aesthetic issue, they could be guilty of a chronic painful picture. It is called pelvic congestion syndrome.
Várices vulvar can appear for the following:
- After pregnancy, as do some varices in the lower limbs, as happens.
- By chronic constipation, which increases the pressure on the pelvis.
- Due to long-standing or sitting positions.
Treatment may be medical or surgical. In the latter case, sclerotherapy, ligature, or laser ablation is chosen.
9. Ectopic pregnancy
If an embryo, instead of implanting in the uterus, does so elsewhere in the female genital system, there will be serious consequences. Ectopic pregnancies are considered a medical emergency, as they can progress towards a break in the fallopian tube.
Symptoms are variable, although the usual presentation includes vaginal bleeding and pain. The latter is located in the pelvis, in the lower abdomen, or in the genital region.
10. Vestibulitis vulvar
Also called vulvovaginal vestibulitis or vestibular vulvodynia is a condition characterized by chronic pain and hypersensitivity at the entrance of the vagina. The discomfort can be constant or intermittent and varies in intensity.
Their exact causes are not always clear. Research published in 2020 found that it is more associated with diabetes mellitus, vaginal candidiasis, and urinary tract infections.
The diagnosis is done only through the physical examination. Additional tests, such as crops for infection, can sometimes be requested.
Medicines and physical therapies are combined for the treatment of vulvar vestibulitis. Pain painkillers, hormones, and relaxation exercises are used for the pelvic floor.
11. Infected Barto Lino’s Tiles
These cysts are fluid-filled bumps that form in the Bartolino glands, located on each side of the vaginal opening. They are the glands responsible for secreting the lubricating fluid that helps maintain moisture in the area.
Bartolino’s cysts are relatively common and not painful. Unless they get infected. That’s when they cause discomfort.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. In recurrent or persistent cases, surgery called marsupialization may be recommended.
What Do I Do if I Have Punctures in My Vagina?
If you experience persistent punctures in your vagina or the accompanying symptoms are severe, seek medical attention. A gynecologist can perform a physical exam and ask for studies to get a diagnosis.
In the meantime, you can use these tips:
- Avoid strong chemicals: such as female aerosols or perfumes.
- Wear cotton underwear: it’s more breathable and less irritating than other fabrics.
- Keep safe sex: remember the condom and, if you’re going to use lubricants, prefer the watery base.
- Practice good genital hygiene: wash the area gently with warm water and avoid the use of scented soaps or products that may irritate the skin.
Pricks in the vagina can have many different causes. Some will be less serious than others. But, to know for sure, you need professional advice.