If you feel discomfort in your genital region, It can be because of vaginal swelling and in most cases, you find one side of the vagina swollen, swollen vaginal lips, a swollen vaginal canal or a labia minora.

In most cases, its accompanied by irritation, itchiness, and redness in the vaginal region which also makes urinating uncomfortable due to the burning

If your vagina is inflamed due to infection, you are most likely to see redness or even some warmth in the specific part that is swollen.

There are various causes of vaginal swollenness and these include:

1.Irritation from things that affect your vagina both direct and indirect.

Some products we use have chemicals that irritate the sensitive skin of your vagina, for example, laundry detergent, bubble bath, perfumed products and harsh toilet paper.

If you changed to new products and got irritated which involved vaginal swelling, burning around the vagina and itching.

You should stop using those products.

Items you directly apply on your vagina can also lead to vaginal swelling and these include lubricants, condoms, douches, creams, tampons, and washes.

All these can lead to vaginal swelling and you should stop using them, if you get better, cease the products but if it becomes worse, it’s best you consult your doctor.

2.Rough intercourse and other vaginal trauma

Some people enjoy and love rough sex but if your vagina is not lubricated so well during sexual intercourse, that friction will cause discomfort during sex and cause problems for you.

That may also lead to the swelling of your vagina

However, trauma from sexual assault may also cause vaginal pain, irritation, and swelling.

Rough sex can tear your skin inside of the vagina so its best you watch out for signs like itching, pain, and discharge.

In most cases, the best you can do is use painkillers to stop the pain and discomfort.

If you have been raped, seek help from the doctor and some organizations offer support to those who have been raped.

3.Bacterial Vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis is a very common infection for the vagina but its harmless and can easily be treated.BV is an abnormal condition that comes up as a result of imbalances of bacterias in your vagina.

The vagina has both good and bad bacterias.

So bacterial vaginosis comes up as a result of bad bacteria overpowering the good bacteria in your vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis isn’t dangerous but it makes you feel uncomfortable and has various symptoms which include abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal odor, pain during sex, itching, and swelling of the vagina.

Bacterial Vaginosis occurs in any time of your menstrual cycle either before or after periods

The amount of the discharge from your vagina varies according to different women but if you think its abnormal, See the doctor immediately.

4.Yeast infections.

Yeast infections occur as a result of the imbalances between bacteria and the yeast in the vagina, it is also referred to as candida which is caused by the bacteria known as candida fungal species which causes vaginal swelling.

In most cases, yeast infections cause discomfort, burning, redness, cottage cheese-like discharge, pain during urination and uncomfortable sexual intercourse.

In most cases, yeast infections are treated with antifungal medications but its best you see the doctor.

If you have had a yeast infection in the past, it’s best you use OTC antifungal treatment to clear up all the symptoms.

5.Gartner’s duct cysts.

A duct that grows when the sexual and urinary organs are developing always disappears after birth but if part of the duct remains, it is therefore known as a Gartner’s duct.

That remaining tissue that may stay will get attached to the vaginal walls hence developing into a cyst.

How to treat Gartner Duct in your vagina.

The treatment to be given to anyone having Gartner’s duct varies on a number of situations, for example, Some cysts are known to spontaneously regress and subside on their own.

If you don’t have any symptoms, the health care provider may advise you to wait and watch.

If you completely feeling so bad, its advisable for you to see the doctor very soon.

vaginal swelling cause

6.Bartholin’s cysts /abscesses

There are Bartholin’s glands on both sides of the vaginal opening that are responsible for the production of lubricating mucus of your vagina.

In some situations, the glands can be infected causing pus that forms abscesses

However the skin around your vagina can also become inflamed and painful, in some situations, you may experience a burning sensation.

Taking a bath can help ease the pain and you can supplement all this with counter medications which help reduce swelling and pain.

The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help you out.

7.Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that affects the inner layers of the skin and causes your skin to become swollen, tender and red.

You can also get a cellulitis when bacteria enters the cut, for example, a cut when shaving pubic hair.

You should clean the cut on regular cases because it can combat the infection but in some instances, the doctor may recommend some antibiotics for you.

8.Vaginal Bruise

A vaginal bruise happens when the veins carrying blood from your vagina back to the heart get injured causing blood to build up in one area.

If you incur some pain, the best way is to see the doctor to check out those injuries.

9.Genital herpes

Herpes cause clusters of small painful blisters which appear near your vagina. The blisters can burst becoming painful sores.

There is no cure currently for genital herpes but some medication shortens and prevents outbreaks.

10.Foreign objects in the vagina.

In some cases, you tend to use a number of objects in your vagina  and when it gets stuck in your vagina.it  may cause a number of symptoms like pain, swelling, itching, irritation, fever and foul discharge

It’s best to see the doctor to remove that foreign item

How to Prevent Vaginal swelling.

There are a number of ways to prevent the vaginal swelling by taking simple steps.

Do not clean inside your Vagina

Do not try to clean inside your vagina by washing it with vaginal cleansing items and even plain water.

This is because those irritate the sensitive skin of your vagina which may cause swelling.

You should never use soaps while cleaning your vagina and always use plain water to clean up your Vagina.

Never wear tight Underwear.

You also know that tight underwears aren’t good for your vagina because they can cause irritation, bruise and sometimes wounds around your vagina.

It’s best you put on something fitting and comfortable for you to give a more pleasing environment to your vagina.

Its also best for you to not wear your underwear for a long period of time and wash them.Y ou can also iron them to be on the safer side.

Changing your underwears will protect you from bacterias and also sweat that may become the breeding ground for vaginal infections.

Protection from STDs

You should always use condoms while having sex to prevent sexually transmitted diseases .if the condoms cause irritations, then its best you switch to a different brand.

You also avoid spermicides and perfumed products around your vagina.

Stop using perfumed toilet paper and sanitary pads.

Perfumed sanitary pads and toilet papers contain chemicals and fragrances that could be sensitive and allergic to the skin.

They may also cause irritation to your vagina which will make you so uncomfortable.

Take note to change your tampons and pads around 3 to 4 times during the day to protect against bacterias.

You should also be careful while cleaning up in the toilet or bathroom because bacteria from your stool can accidentally get wiped from the rectum to the vaginal region and that’s why you should wipe from front to back.

Natural remedies for Vaginal swelling

If things go bad and you catch an infection, there are a number of home remedies that you can always try to treat the swellings of your vagina. However its best you see the doctor still because in some cases, antibiotics really help

1.Drink up some Apple cider Vinegar

Having high sugar levels in your blood increases the risk of you getting vulvovaginal candidiasis because it creates a conducive environment for the yeast in your vagina.

This explains why women with diabetes have high chances of getting vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Taking vinegar will help lower your blood sugars due to the presence of antiglycemic compounds and hence making a less comfortable environment for the growth of yeast.

You can drink vinegar by adding it to some salads or mixing it with lukewarm water.

2.Yogurt and honey

Honey and yogurt help in treating thrush, a yeast infection that causes the vaginal area to swell making you uncomfortable.

They act as antifungal agents which makes them a good home remedy to consider when stronger medicines cannot be given.

One test showed that it had a positive effect when pregnant women were given this mixture vaginally, however, its best you confirm with your gynecologist.

Yogurt helps in maintaining the bacterial balance of your vagina because its a probiotic itself. However, it can treat yeast infections.

Just apply homemade yogurt directly to your vagina and keep it for one hour and it also helps in getting rid of the vaginal odor.

3.Lemon Leaves

Limonene is a compound found in lemon leaves and its anti-allergic, antibiotic and anti-microbial properties.

Limonene cleans and removes the bad odor from your vagina by also maintaining its acidic PH.

You should boil few leaves mixed with water, Cool the mixture down at room temperature and wash your vagina with it.

4. Increase your fluid intake.

Drinking enough fluids will keep you hydrated which is good for your vagina because it stays moist and well lubricated.

Failure to take enough fluids will leave your skin sore from the dryness of atrophic vaginitis.

Make sure you take 6 to 8 glasses of water every day and on this, you can supplement with fresh juices with no added sugars because sugar leads to yeast growth.

5.Probiotic Foods

Probiotics have a special role in keeping our vagina health and cool.

Both the urinary and vaginal tract have around 50 bacterial strains if in a perfect balance but among of them are the lactobacillus bacteria.

According to research, there are inadequate amounts of lactobacillus bacteria in our vaginas which can lead to a high risk of infections like yeast and many more.

Yogurt and other fermented foods need to dominate your diet if you want to be in good health because they can increase the amount of the lactobacilli bacteria.

However, your diet hygiene, hormonal levels, and antibiotic consumption can also change the balance of bacteria leaving you at a high risk of getting infections like thrush.

vaginal swelling remedies

6. Eat some garlic

Garlic has both antibacterial and antifungal properties which help fight against vaginitis infections.

However further studies are needed before it can be prescribed by practitioners.

Always consult the doctor before you can have it as a supplement because it also makes your blood thin and can increase bleeding.

7. Try Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an alternative medicine treatment that is used in treating vaginitis.

Acupuncture therapy helps improve the immune functioning of the body making your body stronger against bacterial infections.

According to research, Acupuncture was used as an alternative non -hormonal treatment for treating vaginitis and after 3 months of treatment widow. All the symptoms had completely resolved and the pain, discomfort, and dryness had all gone away.

Researchers concluded that the therapy could be used for a wider use due to its potential even more studies are needed to back all this.

8.Aloe Vera Gel

We both know that Aloe is one of the oldest and best natural remedy that has been used for centuries to treat various complications.

However, making your vagina moistened and lubricated is one of them.

All you require to do is to slice a fresh piece of aloe and remove the gel, Add the gel to one cup of water and use it to wash your cool vagina.

9.Baking Soda

Baking soda will help in balancing the Ph level in your body and also reduce any kind of odor, All you have to do is Add ½ cup of baking soda and mix it with your bathwater.

Then soak yourself for at least 20 minutes and relax later.

10.Practice safe sex

• We both know that rough sex can cause bruises and swellings to our vaginas so its best for you to discuss with your partner if you not ok.
• Avoid sexually transmitted diseases by using condoms and diaphragms to protect yourself from getting infected.
• One of the best sex practice that you should consider is urinating after sexual intercourse, it’s just a simple habit but it can help you get rid of the unwanted bacteria from going to your urethra and bladder.
• You can also wash your vagina  after sex to prevent unwanted bacteria and foreign organisms from entering your vaginal canal after sex but remember to protect yourself from STD

11. Maintain Good menstrual Hygiene.

• With the presence of high absorbency pads, it can be easy to forget how important it is to change them regularly.
• But remember failure to change them can lead to bacterial overgrowth, rashes, and discomfort. So its best you change your pads regularly after 2 to 4 hours.
• Tampons aren’t different from pads that much, leaving the tampon for longer hours increases the chances of fatal conditions like toxic shock syndrome.
• It’s best to change them 4 to 5 times a day. According to the Women’s Voices for the earth report, Dioxins, pesticidal residues and fragrance chemicals in sanitary pads and tampons poses a  high risk of endocrine and reproductive health aside from causing infections and allergies.
• It’s best to consider a reusable menstrual cup instead of those products

Conclusion

Vaginal swelling is one of the most uncomfortable situations that happen to our vaginas but its best you know all the causes that may cause the discomfort.

There are various prevention methods and natural remedies that can be used to treat vaginal swelling and they are identified above.