Vaginal health is an important thing to think about, especially after intercourse. And a swollen vagina might be warning you that something is wrong.
It's not as if you need to know the benefits of intercourse to enjoy a good tumble. In any case, it does release a lot of stress. And once it's done, rolling over to catch your breath and cool down can be just as relaxing. But then you feel like there's something wrong and there's plumpness you feel in your vagina. Looking down, it seems red, swollen and causes irritation. Is it supposed to be that way?
Not exactly. There are many causes for vaginal swelling after intercourse. Some might be nothing to worry about while some might warrant medical intervention. If you feel uncomfortable, visiting a doctor to clear up your doubts is advisable.
However, here are a few reasons why you might be experiencing swelling and redness down there:
If you find that accompanying your swollen vagina is a rash, then it could be that you are sensitive to something that comes in contact with your vagina. For example, you might be allergic to a brand of condoms or in some cases, even sperm. In order to find out what is causing the reaction, try eliminating some of the items you are using during intimacy and make note of how your body responds to it.
According to Medical News Today, intercourse can cause the vagina to swell but if the act takes places when the vagina is not lubricated enough, the friction can cause minor tears in the vaginal walls. This can lead to pain during intercourse which can also cause extra swelling later. Due to the minor tears, it also leaves you more vulnerable to infection.
Healthline states that your vagina requires a proper balance of good bacteria in the vagina to protect it. Those bacteria can battle bad bacteria and make sure your vagina is healthy. However, sometimes the bad bacteria can outnumber the good bacteria and cause a vaginal infection known as bacterial vaginosis. Of the symptoms that appear, swelling, redness, itchiness and a fishy odor from the vagina are some of them.
The most common symptom of a yeast infection is extreme itchiness in and around the vagina, according to the Office of Women's Health. As per Dr. Alyssa Dweck, a gynecologist in New York, the infection can give you redness and swelling that can make your vagina look "beefy, inflamed, and blistered," according to Women's Health Magazine.
Vaginal dryness starts to occur as you grow older. "The issue could be the result of not enough foreplay, but low estrogen levels due to menopause, perimenopause, lactation, or birth control can also cause vaginal dryness and atrophy [thinning, drying, inflammation of the vaginal wall]," says Dr. Dweck. This can also cause your vagina to feel thin or inelastic. This may lead to rough intercourse which could also cause the swelling.
In more severe cases, your vaginal swelling could be caused by an STD like chlamydia, trichomoniasis, genital herpes or gonorrhea. A reddened, swollen vulva can also lead to bleeding after being physically intimate, irritation, odor, and be a sign of an STD says the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). If you notice this happening, you need to visit a doctor immediately to have it treated.
Though you may be facing menopause or may have already gone through it, a swollen vagina after intercourse may also be a sign of pregnancy. During pregnancy, increased blood flow and pressure from the uterus can increase the swelling in the vagina, according to the Office of Women's Health.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321333.php
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-swelling#bacterial-vaginosis
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/vaginal-yeast-infections
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/a27800889/swollen-vagina-after-sex/
https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Vaginitis
