what causes a sore vaginal area after sex

Is this cause for concern?
If you’re experiencing soreness around your vaginal area after sexual intercourse, it’s important to understand where the pain is coming from so you can suss out the potential cause and best treatment.

The vagina is a long, muscular canal the runs from the vaginal opening to the cervix.

The vulva comprises the labia, clitoris, vaginal opening, and urethral opening. The labia are the lips, or folds, of skin around the vaginal opening.

Many people say “vagina” when they really mean “vulva.” We’ll keep these differences clear as you read about reasons why your vaginal area may hurt after sexual activity.

If you experience pain in your vagina or vulva after sexual penetration, there are several reasons why it could be happening. You can treat or prevent most causes. Rarely the pain may be a sign of an emergency.

Let’s explore the many reasons for a sore vaginal area after sexual activity, how to prevent soreness, and what you can do to treat it.

Causes of a sore vagina after sex
Several issues can be behind a sore vaginal area after sexual penetration. These causes include:

Lack of lubrication
When you’re aroused, your body releases natural lubrication. But sometimes, that lubrication isn’t enough. If your sexual arousal is low or you rush into things without giving yourself time to warm up, you may experience a little more friction than normal.

That friction can result in tiny, microscopic tears in the vagina, which can cause pain and discomfort. In some cases, it may even lead to infection.

Prolonged or vigorous sex
If sexual penetration got a little rough, you may feel some pain or discomfort, both in your vagina and around the vulva. The friction and extra pressure can inflame the sensitive tissue.

If you or your partner used fingers, a sex toy, or any other object during sexual activity, you might experience some additional pain, too.

Depending on the material of the sex toy, some toys may require extra lubrication to reduce friction. Not properly using sex toys could experience some soreness after sexual activity as well.
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