There’s the kind of down-there pain that follows over-zealous sex—but then there are other types that are a bit more serious. And unlike diagnosing, say, high cholesterol, identifying what's causing your hoo-ha to hurt isn't always easy. Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of obstestrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine, explains six of the most common causes of below-the-belt pain—and what to do if you experience these symptoms.
No one wants to believe they've contracted an STI, but according to the Center for Disease Control, about one out of every six American adults will get it in their lifetime. "Patients will call me at 1 in the morning and say, 'I found a lump on my bottom,'" says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of obstestrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine. "My first question—after I groggily wake up—is, 'Does it hurt like a son of a bitch?' If the answer is yes, it's likely herpes. And if the answer is no, it can't be herpes." Visible blisters and intense painaccompany the STD. If you spot a bump or blister down below that doesn't belong, contact your ob-gyn immediately. While there's no cure for herpes, your doctor can start you on medications that will reduce your frequency of outbreaks and help you manage your pain.
2. Yeast Infections
"While these don't usually give you pain, per se, they can make you feel dry and itchy in the vagina, which some people will interpret as pain," says Minkin. Chances are good—three in four, in fact—that you'll experience a yeast infection in your lifetime. While you can treat a yeast infection with OTC medications (and may choose to if you've experienced this type of infection before), it's best to seek a doctor's opinion if this is your first time dealing with the condition. Your ob-gyn will perform a pelvic exam and prescribe you an anti-fungal cream to use until your symptoms are gone.
3. Vaginal Dryness
You may think this is only a problem for post-menopausal women, but you’d be wrong. Thanks to low-estrogen birth control pills, many young women experience vaginal dryness, too, which can make sex uncomfortable and even painful. "Estrogen is a moisturizer," says Minkin. "So if a birth control pill is low in estrogen, your vagina's moisture will also be low." If you feel like your va-jay-jay doesn't lubricate the way it used to, it might be time to check in with your doctor. "It's an easy fix because we can treat you with topical estrogen or put you on a higher-estrogen birth control pill," says Minkin.
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