What can cause pain in the perineum in women?

Vagina before menstruation: features of structure and position

Any specialist knows that the cervix should be slightly softened before menstruation, and if a woman has already given birth, it should be slightly open. But during pregnancy, it is located high in the vagina and has a characteristic dense consistency.

Before the onset of menstruation, the cervix of the organ changes position and moves slightly lower in the vagina. Only a gynecologist should examine the position and consistency of the uterus. With an incompetent examination, there is a risk of infection of the woman’s reproductive system, ovaries or fallopian tubes, since the uterus opens slightly before menstruation. When the cervix is ​​injured, upon examination, it appears, which quickly heals if there is no infection.

Even for those who can boast of a regular cycle, it is due to the fault of various... This is a special condition of the vagina, in which the walls of the organ are spastically tense... Vaginal trauma. Blood after sex before menstruation may appear if...

• Bacterial vaginosis during menstruation. Violation of the vaginal microflora occurs for various reasons and quite often.
• Sometimes a woman may feel like her period started earlier due to colpitis. This can be explained in different ways. ... The presence of menstrual discharge in the vagina, which increases the risk of infection, supports ...
• We recommend reading the article about the condition of the vagina in different phases of menstruation. From it you will learn about the vagina during menstruation, the condition of the uterus after menstruation, and the factors that cause pain.

Menstruation is accompanied not only by bleeding, but also by discomfort in the lower abdomen, in the lower back and chest, and many girls also notice that it hurts. Normally, this symptom should not exist, because the vagina does not directly participate in the menstrual cycle, but only removes blood and the endometrium to the outside. Why does the vagina hurt during menstruation and how to avoid this unpleasant manifestation?

The vagina is part of the woman’s reproductive system, which takes part in the sexual process and the birth of a child. Its wall consists of 3 layers: mucous, smooth muscle and connective tissue. The first membrane secretes the mucus necessary for sexual intercourse, which will reduce friction and also secure normal microflora in the vagina; muscle tissue is necessary for stretching. The walls of the vagina are normally slightly pressed against each other, but during penetration of a penis or the birth of a child, they can diverge quite far.

Read also:  Corpus luteum cyst during pregnancy: causes and symptoms

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Pathological causes of itching before menstruation

Most often, itching in the vagina bothers women due to the activity of candidal fungus, the cause of thrush. In conditions of weakened immunity, fungal strains develop rapidly and dominate over beneficial bacteria. The first symptoms of thrush are discomfort in the perineum.

Read more What organs are located in the groin

Suspicion of candidiasis is confirmed by cheesy white discharge with a sour odor.

Let's list all the reasons why itching may bother you before your period:

• Inflammatory processes. Inflammation makes the uterus unstable, causing delays and discomfort inside the vagina. The pathology develops as a result of hypothermia or a cold suffered a little earlier. The proliferation of infection in the genitals worsens general well-being and affects the health of the intimate area.
• Genital herpes. The disease causes a burning sensation in the genitals and a blistering rash in the perianal area. An additional symptom is enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes.
• Hormonal imbalances. The endocrine and gynecological spheres are closely related. The slightest disturbance in the hormonal environment changes menstrual function. Hence, a week before the start of menstruation, discomfort occurs in the form of burning and itching.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome. This serious disease not only delays the onset of menstrual periods, but also causes discomfort in the groin and nagging pain in the lower abdomen. They can radiate to the lumbar region. Cystic changes in the ovaries lead to short-term and long-term delays. A delayed visit to the doctor threatens a woman with infertility.
• STD. Some sexually transmitted infections have a long incubation period. For example, bacterial vaginosis and chlamydia may initially be asymptomatic, but as they progress, they cause itching, heavy whitish discharge, and missed periods.
• Intestinal dysbiosis. The close location of the genital slit in relation to the anus facilitates the transfer of intestinal microbes into the vagina. The disease develops for various reasons, ranging from malfunction of organs and systems to metabolic disorders and the accumulation of toxins. Problems in the body increase discomfort before critical days.
• Neurological abnormalities. Stress and psycho-emotional shocks disrupt the rhythm of the menstrual cycle and negatively affect the nervous system. Because of this, periods begin later, and before their appearance, itching bothers you.
• Colpitis. Different forms of the disease change the nature and color of the discharge. They turn white or yellow-green. Patients complain of itching and foul odor emanating from the genitals. The sense of smell is irritated by the fishy or sour smell of discharge.

Severe itching in the intimate area can provoke a parasitic disease. When worms crawl out of the anus and lay eggs, it causes discomfort. The event is not tied to the beginning of menstruation; it’s just that on the eve of bleeding, the delicate area is most susceptible to irritants, and the itching is felt more strongly.

Functions

The vagina has several functions:

The protective function of the vagina is that it contains normal microflora, which does not allow pathogenic bacteria and fungi to reach important organs: the uterus and ovaries. During their life, the symbionts also secrete lactic acid, which makes the environment in the vagina more acidic in order to better protect the overlying parts of the reproductive system.

The vagina facilitates the passage of sperm into the uterine cavity due to its slightly curved shape, which traps sperm inside. The vagina ends at the cervix, which opens slightly during ovulation to allow the male reproductive cell to reach the egg.

The vagina contains a small number of sensitive cells, stimulation of which by the penis brings sexual pleasure to the woman, and also contributes to the release of hormones: endorphin, oxytocin and others.

The nature of vaginal pain during menstruation

Normally, severe pain in the vagina should not occur. The discomfort is most often slightly noticeable, aching and pulling in nature. In this case, the source of pain is not in the vagina, but in the uterus or, causing radiating pain.

Referring pain is painful sensations that occur in one place, but due to the proximity of nerve endings or for other reasons, they appear in another part of the body. An example could be not only pain in the vagina during menstruation, but also heart pain radiating to the collarbone or painful sensations in the frontal part of the head, which a person feels more strongly in the area “behind the eyes”.

Causes of pain in the vagina

Sometimes the vagina begins to hurt during menstruation due to various diseases of the reproductive system, the appearance of neoplasms on the mucous membrane, severe stress or pathologies of the development of the vagina, so conventionally the sources of discomfort can be divided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory.

Pain due to inflammatory processes

Despite the fact that a protective microflora lives in the vagina, which expels all pathogenic bacteria and fungi from there, sometimes inflammatory processes occur in the vagina: vaginitis, gardenerellosis and others.

They appear due to the fact that symbiotic microorganisms are exposed to inappropriate hygiene products, die due to improper care of the intimate area, and their number is significantly reduced when infected with sexually transmitted infections of a viral, bacterial, or fungal nature.

The inflammatory process may not make itself felt for a long time. During menstruation, when there is a lot of blood in the vagina, which is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms, inflammation intensifies and discomfort appears. The pain in this case is often cutting or severely aching in nature, and is accompanied by discharge with an unpleasant odor and consistency.

Non-inflammatory pain

Due to severe stress, abnormal anatomical structure, or the appearance of malignant or benign tumors, pain may appear on the vaginal mucosa. In this case, they should be light but regular and intensify during menstruation, because at this time the vagina is slightly inflamed. The painful sensations will be aching, pulling down, and can spread not only in the vaginal area, but throughout the entire lower abdomen.

External reasons

The condition of the reproductive organs is influenced by a large number of external factors. First of all, itching during menstruation in the intimate area can be caused by the development of an allergic reaction to the fabric from which underwear is made, or intimate hygiene products. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right menstrual underwear.

During menstruation, burning and itching in the vagina appear at times when a woman puts on synthetic or tight underwear.

Neglect of personal hygiene rules can also influence the development of such symptoms. In this case, irritation in the intimate area may be caused by the following external reasons:

• using low-quality powder when washing underwear;
• irregular washing of the genital area;
• use of scented soap;
• infrequent changing of sanitary pads.

To prevent the development of unpleasant symptoms, we recommend reading more detailed information about how often to change your pads during menstruation.

In this case, burning in the vagina before menstruation can be eliminated by daily use of laundry or intimate soap when washing.

Also, itchy sensations in the genital area can be caused by allergies, and sometimes by nervous breakdowns. In such conditions, the human immune system weakens, which causes the growth of pathogenic microflora in the vagina, which causes the spread of itching.

Incorrectly selected underwear

Burning sensation before menstruation can be caused by improperly selected underwear. Most often, such symptoms appear upon contact of the genital mucosa:

• with synthetic fibers;
• rough hard seams;
• dirty laundry, as well as those that have undergone a poor-quality rinsing procedure, which is why a large amount of detergent used during washing remains on the material.

In addition, discomfort in the vagina may occur if a woman often wears thongs. This causes irritation of the mucous membrane of the genital organs, causing it to itch and burn.

Stressful situations

Nervous tension can be diagnosed by primary symptoms such as:

• anxiety;
• sleep disorder;
• hallucinations;
• lack of appetite.

Regular stressful situations contribute to decreased immunity and metabolic disorders. Because of this, psycho-emotional stress can change the rhythm of the menstrual cycle and cause an imbalance in the vaginal microflora.

When favorable conditions appear, pathogenic organisms begin to actively develop, which can cause discomfort in the vagina. In this case, there is increased itching in the vagina before menstruation.

Non-traditional intimate relationships

Itchy sensations in an intimate place during menstruation may appear due to the fact that a woman prefers sexual variety, which consists not only of vaginal contacts, but also anal ones. This is dangerous because E. coli and other pathogenic microorganisms can be introduced into the vagina, which disrupt the normal microflora and cause the burning sensation to spread.

Inaccurate sexual contact can provoke various injuries to the mucous membrane, which can be accompanied by a secondary infection. As a result, unpleasant sensations arise. Itching of the skin may also appear during the healing process of the resulting injuries.

Diagnostics

If pain in the vagina during menstruation is severe, causes severe discomfort, or is accompanied by discharge with an unpleasant odor, then you should definitely consult a gynecologist. An external examination of the vagina will help make assumptions about the causes of pain, and other analysis methods will help clarify the diagnosis.

Tests for infection

Urine and blood tests, bacterial culture of a vaginal smear will help determine the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and establish their nature, because this is necessary for further treatment.

During an infection, the blood contains antibodies to it; the urine may also contain these substances, as well as the pathogenic microorganisms themselves if they have entered the urethra. Sowing a smear from the vagina on a nutrient medium allows you to accurately see the picture of the “inhabitants” of the vagina.

Tests for neoplasms

Cytological analysis and colcoscopy will help determine the presence of neoplasms on the mucous membrane. In the first case, a small number of cells are taken from the vaginal tissue, and in the second, the vaginal walls and cervix are examined using a special device - a colcoscope.

If previous diagnostic methods do not produce results, then it is necessary to do an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, because pain in the vagina sometimes occurs due to abnormalities in its structure:

• severe curvature of the vagina;
• position too close to the bladder;
• curvature of the cervix;
• disruption of the mucous layer and friction between the walls of the vagina.

Diseases of the genitourinary system associated with itching in the genitals

If irritation in an intimate area is caused by external factors, if you follow the measures described above and take antihistamines, it will disappear. If the reason is more serious, this will not be enough.

If the itching does not stop or is accompanied by new symptoms, you cannot do without a visit to the doctor. You should not try to diagnose yourself and self-medicate. If inflammation is associated with an infectious disease, its causative agent can only be determined using laboratory tests. Without this, there is a risk of making the problem worse. Alternative treatment will also not be effective; it can only be considered as accompanying and relieving.

Diseases that cause irritation, itching and burning in the genitals:

Prevention

To avoid severe pain in the vagina during menstruation, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, because many girls have noticed an increase in pain precisely after a long period of absence of cleansing of the vagina.

During menstruation, you need to wash yourself regularly, at least twice a day, and also take a full shower once using intimate hygiene products, which need to be purchased separately, because their pH differs from the acidity of other cosmetics. Don't forget that pads are a good breeding ground for bacteria, so you need to change them every 5-6 hours, and tampons every 4 hours.

Pain in the vagina during menstruation can normally be mild, slightly noticeable or completely absent. The presence of pronounced discomfort indicates inflammatory processes in the vagina or other disorders, so you should immediately pay attention to them and consult a gynecologist.

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Breasts accompany many females during their periods. Most women experience these symptoms every month. And this, in principle, is considered the norm. For each of them, however, all this happens differently. Others take it easier. There are women whose vagina hurts during menstruation. There should not be such a symptom, since the vagina is not a direct participant in the menstrual cycle, it only facilitates the removal of blood and endometrium to the outside.

Many women, having felt pain in the vagina during menstruation, think that this should be in the order of things. They take a pill and forget about this trouble until the next menstruation. In fact, these pains may indicate many abnormalities in the genitourinary area. An inflammatory process in the vagina may occur, which is fraught with various complications and requires immediate medical or even surgical intervention. Therefore, every woman should listen to herself and not ignore the SOS signals coming from her body.

What to do when you are worried about itching before your period

Treatment of vaginal itching before menstruation is not the same for all patients. Gynecologists select the method of therapy taking into account the cause of discomfort.

If a woman is worried about thrush, she will be prescribed antifungal agents (Mycozon quickly relieves itching). When herpes worsens, the problem is eliminated with the help of antiviral drugs Gerpevir, Acyclovir, Liposome.

Vaginal itching associated with hormonal disorders is treated with Ovestin and Kolpotrofin. To combat bacterial infections, Terbizil, Actovegin and Pimafucin are used. Allergic itching in the groin is effectively eliminated by the pharmaceutical product Vagisil.

External agents are applied to the genitals 2 times a day. Burning sensation due to stress is eliminated by using a sedative (Maprotiline, Fluoxetine, Clomipramine).

For colpitis, wash the vagina with solutions of Citeal, Rotokan, Rivanol. Grains of potassium permanganate are dissolved in water and used for douching.

Knowing why the patient’s intimate area itches before menstruation, the doctor can prescribe medications such as:

1. Acylact – 1 suppository is recommended to be placed at night for a course of 10 days.
2. Terzhinan - vaginal suppositories are used 1 pc. per day (10 times in a row).
3. Clotrimazole - 1 tablet is inserted into the vagina for 6 days.
4. Polygynax - vaginal capsules are placed in the morning and evening (course 12 days).
5. Metronidazole – tablets taken orally, 2 pieces. for one and a half weeks.

Folk recipes

Baking soda will help a woman relieve severe itching in the intimate area. 1 teaspoon of the product is mixed with the same amount of table salt and thrown into boiling water.

After a couple of minutes, remove the dishes from the oven and cool the contents so that they are warm. Next, 10 drops of iodine are added to the solution. The prepared preparation is used in the morning and evening for douching. Relief comes quickly. The duration of therapy is 1 week.

You can also use an aqueous infusion of medicinal herbs for douching:

Take 1 tsp of all ingredients. and leave in boiling water for 20 minutes. For procedures, the product is used warm. The frequency of manipulations is 2 times a day. During menstruation, douching is not done, even if the itching continues to bother you.

When the vagina is attacked by a fungus, aloe pulp can be used to restore the mucous membrane. The phytomass is wrapped in gauze and inserted like a tampon.

A decoction of basil helps with itching that bothers you before menstruation:

1. Place 5 leaves in an enamel bowl and pour water.
2. Place the container on the stove and prepare the decoction at a moderate boil.
3. After 20 minutes, remove the product from the oven and cool.

Take a decoction of basil orally, drinking half a glass of the drug 3-4 times a day.

The use of folk remedies for the treatment of itching and burning in the intimate area is allowed only as an auxiliary measure. Herbal medicines cannot completely replace drug therapy.

Prevention

Preventative measures will help women prevent itching before menstruation:

• Increased stress resistance.
• Using condoms to protect against STDs.
• Having a trusted sexual partner.
• Strengthening general immunity.
• Visit a gynecologist once every six months. Scheduled and unscheduled examinations by a doctor reveal diseases in the early stages. They are much easier to treat than advanced forms of pathologies.

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Personal hygiene deserves special attention in solving the problem of severe itching in the intimate area. But excessive cleanliness is no less harmful to the vaginal microflora than infrequent washing of the genitals (water washes away beneficial bacteria). In the absence of sexual contact, it is enough to wash yourself once a day, directing a stream of warm water from the pubis to the anus.

Representatives of the fair sex during menstruation, in addition to bleeding, often feel discomfort in the lower abdomen, pain in the chest and lumbar region. As a rule, such symptoms are considered normal. Sometimes women have vaginal pain during menstruation, which indicates abnormalities in the genitourinary system that require medical intervention.

Causes

Initially, it is worth deciding on the nature of the pain in the vagina, which is a fairly sensitive organ. Its walls are equipped with a large number of nerve endings that react quite sensitively to influences from the outside and from the inside.

The pain can be constant or periodic, and it can also be accompanied by itching and burning. Every woman faced with such problems should understand that everything can be quite serious, and in such cases it is better to seek help from a doctor.

There can be many reasons for discomfort and pain in the vagina during menstruation. Of these, the following are worth noting:

• diseases;
• problems with the bladder and rectum;
• traumatic situations and ruptures during childbirth or;
• endometriosis;
• incorrectly selected tampons;
• the presence of benign or malignant neoplasms;
• drooping walls of the vagina and uterus, which most often occurs with age-related changes in the vagina.

Developmental defects in a girl’s genitals at the onset of menstruation can cause pain in the vagina. This situation will not be resolved without surgical intervention.

Sometimes the presence causes an unpleasant feeling in the stomach after menstruation. If this continues for a long time and menstruation becomes, in addition, profuse, gynecologists strongly recommend removing the IUD and resorting to some other means of contraception.

Tolerable pain in the vagina for 1-2 days after menstruation is considered normal. But if they manifest themselves with enviable regularity and last more than a week, you should urgently undergo an examination to rule out possible pathologies in the vaginal cavity.

Causes of discomfort

In order to answer the question of why the vagina hurts during menstruation, it is recommended to find out the possible causes of this unpleasant symptom.

Before the approach and during the onset of critical days, a woman’s body undergoes certain changes due to a decrease in the level of progesterone and endorphin. Such a sharp hormonal imbalance entails the development of negative manifestations in the form of spasms, a feeling of pain in the lower abdomen, and psychological disruptions.

In addition to natural physiological problems, the condition of the genital organs can be influenced by functional and pathological factors that occur in individual cases. Among them:

• abnormal structure or location of the uterus;
• endocrine disorders;

If there are pathologies of the endocrine system, pain is possible

• inflammatory processes, the presence of infections in the pelvic area;
• the presence of cysts and tumors.

Various pathologies and diseases that a woman has can cause pain in the vagina during menstruation, accompanied by other disturbing signs, such as itching, burning sensation, and disruption of the normal menstrual cycle.

Doctors' opinion

All doctors are inclined to think that any unpleasant symptom in the body should be a reason to go to the hospital. If this concerns a woman and her reproductive health, then she should be doubly careful. After all, diseases often begin to manifest as abdominal pain and end in infertility.

Many women experience vaginal pain during their periods. The painful focus is in the uterus and ovaries, but the pain can radiate to the perineum and vagina. Such sensations during menstruation can occur for various reasons.

The vagina is a female genital organ, which is an elastic muscular canal lined with mucous membrane. The lower border of the vagina is surrounded by the labia minora, the upper border ends at the level of the cervix. The total length of the organ can be 7–12 cm, width 2–3 cm. The wall of the organ has 3 layers: muscular, mucous and an underdeveloped spongy membrane. The anterior wall of the vagina is fused with the bladder by connective tissue, and the posterior wall is fused with the anterior wall of the rectum.

The organ takes part in the process of fertilization, the seminal fluid first enters the vagina and then penetrates the uterus and fallopian tubes, during childbirth it performs the function of the birth canal through which the fetus and placenta emerge, and during menstruation it removes menstrual flow. A small amount of vaginal fluid contains an acidic environment, which is harmful to pathogenic microorganisms.

If the pain syndrome lasts a month or more, then this may be a sign of a serious pathology and requires timely treatment:

• One of the causes of vaginal pain during menstruation can be injury to the genital organ. The mucous membrane can be damaged by improper douching or during gynecological manipulations, such as abortion, diagnostic curettage.
• If pain during menstruation occurs after childbirth, then the causes are improperly sutured birth ruptures. The resulting scars will be bothersome and painful. In addition, many women experience pain in the genitals after childbirth.

• If your vagina hurts during your period, then perhaps the tampons you use are too large.
• Vaginal endometriosis is the process of tissue growth (endometrium) outside the uterine cavity. The disease develops as a result of complicated childbirth, abortion and other gynecological manipulations. During surgery, endometrial cells penetrate the wound surface, and endometriotic proliferation occurs. Dense painful scars, nodes and thickenings form in the thickness of the vaginal walls. Symptoms of endometriosis include: heavy and prolonged periods, pain in the vagina during menstruation, spotting before and after menstruation, pain during sexual intercourse, and frequent urination. Vaginal endometriosis is diagnosed using laparoscopy, which determines the extent and location of endometriosis. Therapeutic measures include excision of the endometriosis lesion and taking hormonal medications in the postoperative period.

• Vaginitis is a gynecological pathology characterized by an inflammatory process in the vaginal mucosa. The disease can be caused by sexually transmitted diseases, hormonal disorders, diabetes, and obesity. Damage to the mucous membrane often occurs due to improper medical procedures. In some cases, vaginitis develops due to an allergy to the latex of the condom or to medications inserted into the vagina.
• Symptoms of vaginitis include: swelling and redness of the external genitalia, itching and pain in the vagina, intensifying during menstruation, vaginal discharge of a mucous and purulent nature. To confirm the diagnosis, a gynecological examination with speculum is performed and a smear is taken for analysis.

• If necessary, PCR diagnostics are performed to determine urogenital infection. Treatment of vaginitis is carried out using complex therapy, taking into account the causative agent of the disease. Medicines that suppress bacterial infection are prescribed, douching is done to restore the vaginal microflora, vaginal suppositories and tablets are administered. If necessary, additional hormonal therapy is prescribed.

Internal factors

Most often, itching after menstruation appears due to internal pathologies or sexually transmitted diseases.

1. Thrush. When the immune system is weakened, the Candida fungus begins to actively develop, causing disease. It can be recognized by itching sensations in the genital area, white cheesy discharge with a sour odor.
2. Bacterial vaginosis. Can be diagnosed by the appearance of a fishy odor. Actively reproducing bacteria cause disruption of the vaginal microflora and itching sensations.
3. Adnexitis is an inflammatory process occurring in the appendages. Pathology changes the level of acidity in the vagina. Most often it occurs in a latent form, manifesting itself as itching only in one phase of the menstrual cycle - before it begins.
4. Diabetes. Due to the increased amount of glucose in the urine, the mucous membranes of the genital organs are irritated, causing a burning sensation. This symptom is not associated with the menstrual cycle, but it intensifies before the onset of menstruation. Also, women with this disease often suffer from thrush, which regularly recurs and contributes to the spread of itching in the intimate area.

Itchy sensations in the vagina can be caused by the food you eat. The appearance of such discomfort occurs due to a large amount of sweets, which promotes the growth of yeast-like fungi in the vagina.

We recommend that you read more in a separate article if you experience itching with white discharge.

Decreased immunity

The occurrence of a burning sensation during menstruation may also be associated with a weakened immune system. Before menstruation, a woman’s body becomes more vulnerable to various pathogens, and in combination with a weakened immune system, many chronic diseases begin to worsen. This problem can be recognized by the appearance of discharge before menstruation, which has an unpleasant odor or a yellowish, white, or greenish tint.

To avoid the development of itchy sensations before menstruation, a woman needs to constantly maintain her immunity at a high level. This requires leading an active lifestyle, eating right, giving up bad habits, spending a lot of time outdoors, and avoiding stressful situations.

Sexually transmitted infections

Often the cause of the spread of itching and burning after menstruation is the presence of sexually transmitted infections. This symptom is most often caused by the following diseases:

1. Trichomoniasis. Promotes the appearance of itching and burning sensations in the reproductive organs. It can be recognized by its foamy discharge that has a strong, unpleasant odor. The symptoms of the pathology intensify before the onset of menstruation.
2. Chlamydia. Accompanied by mild itching, the appearance of yellowish discharge and mild swelling of the labia. During menstruation, the itching begins to increase, and after the end of menstruation it subsides again.
3. Gonorrhea. Characterized by constant severe itching, regardless of the phase of the cycle. In addition to this symptom, there are other signs of a sexually transmitted disease by which it can be identified. These include extramenstrual bleeding, thick yellowish discharge that smells rotten, and increased body temperature.
4. Genital herpes. Promotes the spread of itching and burning in the reproductive organs. Pathology can be determined by the presence of a blistering rash and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes.

Read more Treatment after hysteroscopy of the uterus
At the beginning of the development of the listed pathologies, there is often a large amount of mucus coming out of the genital tract, as well as mild itching. Further, the discharge acquires a distinct yellowish or greenish tint, and the unpleasant sensations intensify, especially before menstruation.

Candidiasis colpitis

The appearance of itching and burning before menstruation can be caused by candidiasis colpitis. Moreover, a week before menstruation, symptoms intensify significantly. Severe itching leads to irritation of the mucous membrane of the reproductive organs, which increases the risk of inflammation and secondary infection.

The pathology is recognized by the appearance of whitish or yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong, unpleasant odor. With this disease, women may complain of a fishy or sour odor coming from the genital area.

Intestinal dysbiosis

Intestinal dysbiosis can cause itching in the intimate area before menstruation. This is due to the fact that the anus is located close to the vagina, and if hygiene procedures are not carried out correctly, intestinal pathogenic microorganisms are transferred to the genital tract. Because of this, the microflora can be disrupted, which causes discomfort that intensifies before menstruation.

Intestinal dysbiosis is provoked by a variety of reasons, including metabolic disorders, toxic poisoning, and improper functioning of organs and systems.

Helminthic diseases

If the intimate area itches in the area of ​​the outer labia, and the woman does not have any infections, it is advisable to be tested for the presence of helminthic diseases. The fact is that helminths that leave the anus to lay eggs can end up in the genital area, which causes irritation of the mucous membrane and itching.

This reason has nothing to do with the onset of menstruation. Increased discomfort at this time occurs only due to the fact that before menstruation the intimate area becomes more susceptible to irritants.

What else could it be?

Pain can also be caused by:

• Bartholinitis is an inflammation of the large gland of the vestibule of the vagina. Bartholin's glands are paired formations up to 1 cm in size, which are located at the base of the labia majora. The function of the glands is to produce a mucus-like fluid to maintain moisture in the vagina. Bartholinitis can be caused by staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli, as well as gonococci and chlamydia. An acute inflammatory process is accompanied by low body temperature, mucous and purulent discharge, pain symptoms in the external genitalia, and changes in the menstrual cycle. Treatment of acute bartholinitis is carried out with the use of antibiotics. In case of an abscess, an autopsy is performed.

• Salpingitis is inflammation of one or both fallopian tubes. The disease develops due to the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the fallopian tubes. Acute salpingitis can spread to the ovaries and abdominal cavity. Chronic salpingitis most often causes female infertility. The main signs of salpingitis are: impaired urination, excessive purulent discharge, cramps and pain during menstruation. Salpingitis is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapeutic procedures.

• Pain in the vagina during menstruation can be present with all sexually transmitted diseases. Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases include swelling and irritation of the vulva, painful and frequent urination. Unnatural discharge of various shades with an unpleasant odor irritates the vaginal mucosa and is accompanied by painful sensations.

• The cause of pain during menstruation can also be a benign or malignant formation in the walls of the vagina. In such cases, the pain intensifies during menstruation, when the vaginal mucosa is slightly inflamed. The pain is nagging in nature, and the entire area of ​​the lower abdomen will hurt. If you have any symptoms, you should immediately contact a gynecologist and undergo an appropriate examination.

• In some cases, pain in the vagina during menstruation can be caused by diseases of neighboring organs. Stitching pain may be present against the background of cervical erosion or inflammation of the bladder.

• On the eve of menopause, the pelvic floor muscles weaken, which contributes to the prolapse of the vaginal walls. The process may be accompanied by pain and discomfort.

Preventing pain

To avoid discomfort during menstruation, you should first pay attention to intimate hygiene. Many women and girls noted that the vagina hurts more noticeably if the genitals are not cleaned for a long time. To maintain hygiene during menstruation, you need to wash yourself at least 2 times a day, and preferably after each visit to the toilet. Also, once a day you should take a shower with special products created for intimate hygiene and having a neutral acidity level.

Pads should be changed 3-4 times a day, and the tampon should not be inside for more than 4 hours. Otherwise, you can provoke an increased proliferation of bacteria, because pads and tampons that have not been changed for a long time create an optimal environment for such reproduction. Douching should be avoided during this period, as it can upset the balance of microflora.

To reduce pain during the premenstrual period, you can replace the shower with a relaxing warm bath. If you like a hard washcloth, then during your period it is better to put it aside and use a softer option.

You should also eliminate or reduce all activities that may cause increased pain. It can be:

• Biking,
• sitting on a chair for a long time,
• very tight trousers, which can cause chafing in the vagina when walking.

To alleviate your condition, you need to rest more. Just lie in bed on your day off, read a book and relax. Following a special diet will also help reduce pain. The food consumed should be light and not burden the stomach. It is better to avoid alcohol, sweet and salty foods during this time.

Gynecologists say that if the vagina does not hurt much and does not last long before and during menstruation, then this may be one of the normal variants. After all, different organisms tolerate this period differently. But if the duration of such pain exceeds a week or they are extremely severe, then you should visit a gynecologist to find the cause. You should not relieve pain with medications and put off visiting a gynecologist, because the appearance of pain most likely signals the presence of some kind of pathology.

The perineum is a set of pelvic floor muscles that closes the exit from the pelvis. The perineal area is located between the anus and the posterior edge of the vaginal opening in women, and the edge of the scrotum in men. The perineal area in a woman includes the urinary tract, anus and vagina.

A woman may experience such unpleasant sensations in the perineum as itching, burning of the perineum, fissure, feeling of fullness, pressure, sharp or aching pain. There are many pathological changes in the body that cause these symptoms. Also, discomfort in the perineal area in certain cases may be normal.

1. Pregnancy

During pregnancy of up to 20 weeks, discomfort in a woman's perineum should be an alarming factor, as it may signal the possibility of miscarriage. Especially if the discomfort is accompanied by bloody discharge. During this period, the fetus is still very small and its movements are in no way perceptible to the woman. Therefore, any mechanical impact of the fetus on the perineal area is excluded.

After 20 weeks, the baby in the womb grows and develops rapidly. The mobility of the arms and legs becomes more active and stronger. The baby's movements most often cause short-term, acute, but not severe pain, a feeling of pressure in the perineum.

As the happy moment of childbirth approaches, discomfort in the perineal area may intensify significantly. The reason is the fairly large volume and weight of the fetus, which puts pressure on the woman’s internal organs, muscles and bones. Heaviness in the perineal area is especially aggravated in the last days before childbirth, which is due to the expansion of the pelvic bones. This process is provided by nature to facilitate childbirth, both for the baby and for the mother.

Due to the growth of the fetus, pinching of the sciatic nerve can occur, which often causes severe pain. Doctors recommend that you endure this discomfort without treatment. After childbirth everything returns to normal.

1. Birth injuries of varying degrees

The most common cause of discomfort in the perineum in women is postpartum trauma:

• external ruptures of the perineal tissue during the passage of the child’s head through the birth canal. The reason for this may be insufficient elasticity of the perineal muscles or very rapid labor. Hygienic procedures, urination is accompanied by a burning sensation in the perineum.
• forced incisions of the perineal muscles during delivery are carried out by a doctor to prevent rupture and facilitate wound healing in the future.
• internal ruptures of the cervix or vaginal muscles. This problem occurs more often in primiparous women. The dilatation of the cervix takes longer for them, and the vaginal muscles are inelastic. Pushing may begin with incomplete dilation, which results in tears and cracks in the tissues, causing pain and burning throughout the perineal area.

Doctors recommend starting sexual activity 2 months after a complicated birth. Resuming intimate relations with a partner earlier can cause infection in unhealed wounds. This leads to relapse of inflammation of the perineal tissue.

A woman who has given birth may experience discomfort, a burning sensation and discomfort for some time until the wounds are completely healed and the stretched muscles and ligaments are restored. During the normal course of this process, the inflammation of the perineum goes away.

1. Infectious and inflammatory diseases

Itching, burning, and discomfort in the perineum of women can be caused by the following inflammatory diseases:

• colpitis (vaginitis) - inflammation of the vaginal walls is accompanied by pathologically strong discharge and stabbing pain, burning both in the perineum and in the vagina itself.
• bartholinitis is an inflammation of the glands located at the entrance to the vagina and providing its lubrication. Inflamed and swollen tissues of individual areas of the perineum block the secretion of the glands, which causes stagnation and the formation of pus. The infection spreads to the gland itself, and an abscess forms. A burning sensation in the perineum due to inflammation of the Bartholin glands occurs when walking, when passing feces, during sexual intercourse and subsides several hours after intercourse. All these symptoms are accompanied by fever. Interestingly, an abscess can open on its own without treatment. This often leads to recovery.
• inflammation and fissures of the rectum are accompanied in most cases by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The consequence of this is irregular stool (diarrhea or constipation), due to which the excretory passage is injured, there is acute pain and burning in the perineum. Treatment of rectal fissures primarily involves diagnosing and treating the underlying disease. To relieve symptoms, relieve inflammation, and eliminate discomfort, suppositories and laxatives that dilute stool are prescribed.
• genital herpes causes characteristic rashes on the genitals. The rash consists of blisters filled with liquid that burst after a while. The ulcers formed in the perineum after this heal, becoming covered with crusts. As the disease progresses, a burning sensation in the perineum and area of ​​the rash and severe itching are observed.

1. Chronic pelvic pain

It is important to pay special attention to the fact that this syndrome is a symptom of a number of diseases and is accompanied not only by discomfort in the perineum of women, but also causes pain in the buttocks, lower back, and lower abdomen. The presence of the syndrome is a good reason to consult a doctor to find out the true reasons, which may be:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• disorders and pathologies of the structure and articulation of the pelvic bones;
• tumors;
• depressive state after suffering violence, severe stress.

1. Pinched pudendal nerve (neuropathy)

The pudendal (pudendal) nerve is located in the perineum and provides communication between the organs and tissues of the pelvis and the central nervous system. Its pinching causes an unexpected sharp pain in the perineum when walking, sitting or lying down. At rest it disappears. When the pudendal nerve is pinched, the pain can spread to the inner surface of the thighs and be accompanied by numbness; sometimes there is numbness of the genitals, a deceptive feeling of discomfort and the presence of a foreign body in the rectum or vagina. Urinary incontinence may occur.

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by blocking the pudendal nerve. The final diagnosis is made if, after the procedure, pain symptoms in the perineum decrease and the patient’s general condition improves. Treatment is medication. If it is ineffective, surgical intervention must be resorted to.

1. Skin diseases

Skin diseases of the perineum include fungus. The disease causes severe itching and burning in the affected area. It appears in the initial stages in the form of red spots with a clear boundary. The disease often develops due to non-compliance with personal hygiene rules. Elementarily, a person suffering from mycosis of the feet can transfer the infection with his own hands or a towel to the groin area.

Interesting video:

Perineal fungus can develop in very obese people. Existing disorders in the functioning of the pancreas and thyroid glands are also the cause of fungal infection.

Interestingly, a fungal infection of the perineum can go away on its own without special treatment.

Preventive actions

In order to avoid gynecological pathologies, you should undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist. Timely detection of the disease facilitates treatment and speeds up the recovery process. It is necessary to observe the culture of sexual relations, maintaining a connection with one sexual partner, and use contraceptives.

The vast majority of genital pathologies are transmitted sexually during unprotected contact.

Women should strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene. During menstruation, daily washing should be increased, since menstrual flow is a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

Every month, the body of a woman of reproductive age undergoes hormonal changes. The monthly change in the concentration of hormones that promotes the release of the egg and prepares the uterus for pregnancy is called the menstrual cycle. If there is no fertilization of the egg by the sperm at the end of the menstrual cycle, the woman begins her period.

Due to changes in hormone balance, the premenstrual period and menstruation itself are accompanied by different sensations. They can be minor and not affect a woman’s life in any way, or cause significant discomfort. Normally, a woman can pay attention to the appearance of such unpleasant sensations before menstruation:

1. Discomfort in the lower abdomen or mild tingling;
2. Weakness, fatigue, decreased ability to work;
3. Swelling of the mammary glands and their slight soreness when touched;
4. Feeling of moisture before menstruation in the perineal area;
5. Headache, slight nausea, change in appetite;
6. Irritability, impaired attention and memory, aggressiveness.

Such sensations appear within 2-3 days

before the onset of menstruation and disappear after 1 day of menstruation.

In the case when they begin to cause discomfort, begin 1-2 weeks in advance and accompany all days of menstruation, are unbearable in nature, we are talking about a pathological condition, which in medicine is called premenstrual syndrome. This condition requires consultation with a gynecologist and the appointment of special therapy.

The main reason for the development of premenstrual syndrome is ovulation and associated hormonal disorders in the body.

The first place among the causes of premenstrual syndrome manifestations belongs to an increase in estrogen levels and, against this background, a decrease in progesterone levels. Progesterone deficiency leads to decreased kidney function and decreased urine production. As a result, all microelements and water are retained in the body, which causes the appearance of clinical symptoms.

The balance of fluid and electrolytes in the body is regulated by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Before menstruation, due to hormonal imbalance, this system undergoes a number of changes, and a large amount of aldosterone is released. As a result, urine formation decreases and the level of all microelements in the blood is disrupted.

Failure of the autonomic nervous system is also involved in the formation of pathological premenstrual syndrome. The tone of the sympathetic department, which is responsible for controlling emotions and stimulating all body systems, increases.

Psychosomatic disorders, disorders of the central nervous and hypothalamic-pituitary systems are components in the formation of premenstrual syndrome. Malfunctions in the functioning of these systems lead to changes in the metabolism of steroid hormones, water-salt and carbohydrate metabolism.

In addition, the reasons for discomfort in the vagina before menstruation are:

• Increased synthesis of prostaglandins;
• Deficiency of microelements such as zinc and magnesium;
• Lack of vitamins B6 and C in the body;
• Violation of the synthesis of hormones such as prolactin, endorphin, serotonin and melanstimulating.

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Other causes of pain in the perineum

The list of diseases when the perineum hurts in a man or woman also includes:

• intestinal obstruction;
• oncological processes;
• diseases transmitted through sexual contact (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis);
• condylomatosis, the presence of papillomas in the perineal area;
• anal fissure;
• proctitis or paraproctitis;
• cystitis;
• formation of boils;
• osteochondrosis.

One of the “common” diseases is cooperitis or inflammation of the Cooper gland. The main complaint during its development is pain in the perineum after sex, there are other signs.

There are “male” pathologies when the perineum hurts:

• cyst, abscess, prostate tumor;
• testicular torsion;
• varicocelle;
• epididymitis;
• the presence of cystic formations in the genitals.

Women experience pain in the perineum when there is:

• ectopic pregnancy;
• active growth or rupture of a cyst in the ovary;
• varicose veins of the perineum;
• endometriosis.

The symptom of pain in the perineum accompanies the period of pregnancy, labor, and pain persists after childbirth.

Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome

According to the severity of clinical manifestations, premenstrual syndrome is divided into:

1. Easy;
2. Moderate;
3. Heavy.

The symptoms are the same for all degrees, however, they manifest themselves differently.

The first symptom is pain. It is aching or manifests itself in the form of spasms. It is localized in the lower abdomen and can radiate to the rectum, lower back, and kidneys. The woman is forced to lie with her knees close to her stomach (this position eases the pain). Touching the stomach and trying to move increases the pain. Not only the stomach, but also the mammary glands can be painful. This symptom is called mastalgia. The breasts also increase in size and swell due to edema. The nipples become rough.

Migraine-type headaches also appear. It is localized in the temporal or frontal areas. The pain is accompanied by dizziness, nausea, sometimes vomiting, increased body temperature, rapid heartbeat and general weakness.

The woman’s mental state is disturbed, she can become depressed or, on the contrary, become irritable and aggressive. Even minor irritations of the auditory, visual or taste analyzer lead to manifestations of aggression.

Whitish discharge also appears, which leads to the feeling of phlegm before menstruation.

Based on the predominance of one symptom over another, premenstrual syndrome is divided into several forms:

• Neuropsychic (mental disorders predominate);
• Edema (swelling of the whole body predominates);
• Cephalgic (headache and dizziness predominate);
• Crisis (general symptoms predominate - increased body temperature, sweating).

Diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome

The diagnosis is made based on the patient’s complaints, which appear 1-2 weeks before the onset of menstruation. However, for differential diagnosis between premenstrual syndrome and general diseases of the body, additional research methods are carried out:

1. A blood test to determine the level of hormones in the body (estrogen, progesterone and aldosterone);
2. Functional diagnostic tests;
3. Electrocardiography to exclude heart pathology, which can also cause such symptoms;
4. Electroencephalography is used when neuropsychic disorders predominate in a woman;
5. Ultrasound of the adrenal glands;
6. X-ray of the skull.

Diagnostic tests should be performed in the second half of the menstrual cycle. It is imperative to consult, in addition to the gynecologist, a neurologist, ophthalmologist and endocrinologist to exclude pathology from other organs.

Treatment of premenstrual syndrome

For mild premenstrual syndrome, drug treatment is not indicated. Psychotherapy is prescribed using psycho-emotional relaxation and behavioral techniques. A woman should normalize her work schedule and devote enough time to rest. Coffee, salty, fatty foods, alcohol and sugar aggravate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, so you need to avoid them. Massage of the lumbar region helps stimulate the nerves that regulate the functioning of the genital organs, which reduces pain. A woman needs to exercise to normalize metabolism and the balance of hormones in the body, as well as maintain the tone of the muscles of the uterus.

In severe and moderate cases of premenstrual syndrome, drug treatment is necessary. Hormonal therapy with gestagens is used. It is also necessary to take vitamins E and B1. They help normalize the balance of hormones and reduce all symptoms.

Depending on the severity of symptoms, the following groups of medications are also used:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They relieve pain, reduce body temperature and inflammation. Representatives of this group are ibuprofen, analgin, tamipul.
• Sedatives. Used to reduce pain and mental disorders. This group includes valerian tablets.
• Aldosterone antagonists. They are diuretics and are used for severe swelling. This group of drugs includes veroshpiron.
• Antihistamines. Prescribed in case of increased levels of histamine and serotonin. A representative of the group is diazolin.
• Homeopathic medicines. Used for migraines. The group of drugs includes Remens.

Treatment should last at least 3 menstrual cycles and be prescribed by a doctor after a complete examination of the patient.