Vaginal Pain During Period Causes and Treatment

Causes and Treatments for Vaginal Pain During Your Period

It's common for women to experience some level of discomfort during their monthly menstrual cycle. But severe or persistent vaginal pain during your period may indicate an underlying condition that needs medical attention. Here we discuss possible reasons for vaginal pain related to periods along with self-care tips and when to see your doctor.

Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps, also called dysmenorrhea, refers to the lower abdominal pain occurring just before or during your period due to uterus contractions to shed its lining. Typically this subsides after 1-3 days but can be quite painful for some women. Severe cramping pain can radiate down through the legs and lower back.

Endometriosis

This condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus is a common culprit for intense menstrual pain. Areas like the ovaries, bowel, bladder, or vagina can develop endometrial tissue overgrowth and bleeding which leads to severe cramping, especially around your cycle.

Adenomyosis

When the endometrial lining grows abnormally into the muscular wall of the uterus, it's termed adenomyosis. Monthly swelling and period blood trapped inside the muscular layers stretches the uterus causing sharp, painful cramps.

When to See Your Doctor About Period Pain

While some monthly discomfort is normal, vaginal pain from periods that disrupts your regular activities warrants further evaluation. Seek prompt medical care if you have:

• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea with severe cramps
• Sudden intense pelvic pain that feels unfamiliar
• Bleeding longer than 7 days or going through double pads/tampons per hour
• Pain between periods, with sex, bowel movements or urination

Severe PMS symptoms like mood swings and breast tenderness along with debilitating period pain may signal a hormonal disorder. Tracking patterns in a pain diary for a few months helps your doctor pinpoint potential problems.

Diagnosing the Underlying Cause

To determine what's causing unbearable vaginal and pelvic pain related to your cycle, diagnostic tests may include:

Physical Exam

Your doctor manually checks for pelvic pain by applying pressure to different areas like your abdomen, back and vagina. Swabs check for infection while blood and urine samples help identify issues like STDs, pregnancy or anemia.

Ultrasound

This images the pelvic organs, which aids in detecting uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts or endometrial overgrowth. Transvaginal ultrasounds insert the probe into the vagina for detailed views versus applying the device externally atop the abdomen.

Laparoscopy

If initial testing is inconclusive, a minimally invasive laparoscopy may be performed. A tiny camera is inserted through small incisions allowing direct visualization of the pelvic and reproductive organs.

Hysteroscopy

Here a narrow tube with camera attachment called a hysteroscope is maneuvered into the vagina and through the cervical canal. This helps inspect the endometrial lining and uterine cavity to pinpoint odd bleeding or pain triggers.

Medical Treatments for Period Pain Relief

Depending on what's causing painful periods, medication options include:

Hormonal Birth Control

Oral contraceptives, patches, rings or injections containing estrogen/progesterone even out hormonal fluctuations to often minimize extreme menstrual cramping and stabilize abnormal bleeding patterns.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) effectively alleviate prostaglandin-mediated pain and inflammation involved with periods. NSAIDs also ease associated headaches or lower back discomfort.

Muscle Relaxants

Prescribed meds like cyclobenzaprine provide relief by relaxing tightened, contracted uterine muscles and cramped pelvic areas to relieve sharp stabbing period pains.

Self-Care Remedies for Painful Menstruation

Complementary self-care therapies may further help minimize monthly discomfort when combined with medical treatment:

Heat Therapy

Applying heating pads or hot water bottles to your lower abdomen improves blood flow to relax uterine muscle spasms reducing severity of cramps. Take warm baths for general relaxation.

OTC Topical Therapies

Over-the-counter gels or pain relief patches containing active ingredients like menthol or capsaicin preparations applied to the pelvic region offer comforting analgesic effects.

Mind-Body Practices

Yoga, meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, biofeedback or hypnosis leverage mind-body connections to decrease perceptions of period associated pain and anxiety levels.

When Vaginal Pain Signals an Emergency

While most period discomfort subsides once menstruation ends, severe or worsening pelvic pain demands prompt emergency care to rule out dangerous conditions like:

Ectopic Pregnancy

Sharp abdominal pain with vaginal spotting could mean a fertilized egg got stuck implanting and growing inside the fallopian tubes versus the uterus. Ruptured tubal pregnancies can cause dangerous internal bleeding.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This infection and inflammation of female reproductive organs typically stems from untreated STDs like gonorrhea or chlamydia. PID triggers pelvic pain, painful intercourse plus abnormal bleeding between periods.

Ovarian Torsion

Here an ovarian cyst or benign tumor can become so heavy it twists the ovary cutting off blood supply. Sudden, severe pain on one side demands emergency surgery to untwist before permanent damage occurs.

Miscarriage

While first trimester miscarriage commonly manifests as strong cramping paired with rectal pressure and heavy bleeding, hemorrhaging or sharp pains later in pregnancy raise alarm for potential pregnancy loss or life-threatening complications.

The Takeaway

Monthly menstruation shouldn’t equate to feeling miserable. If you regularly battle painful periods consult your doctor to pinpoint any underlying condition, then collaborate on the best treatment plan so you can reclaim your lifestyle.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.