What causes vulval pain?

Vaginal thrush can cause soreness, burning, and itching, while genital herpes can cause painful blisters or ulcers. A Bartholin cyst may cause a tender lump near the vaginal opening, especially if it becomes infected. Lichen sclerosus can make vulval skin fragile and sore.

Vulvodynia describes ongoing vulval pain without one obvious visible cause. It may feel burning, stinging, raw, or sharp and can be triggered by touch, clothing, sitting, or sex. Friction, shaving, scented products, and tight clothing can aggravate already sensitive tissue.

Keep the area cool and dry, choose loose cotton underwear, and wash gently without fragranced products. Pause activities that increase friction and use a plain barrier ointment on external skin if advised. Do not squeeze a lump or apply strong creams inside the vagina. A clinician can identify infection, skin disease, a cyst, or nerve-related pain and offer targeted treatment.

Arrange prompt care for a new lump, severe or rapidly worsening pain, fever, pus, painful blisters, open sores, difficulty passing urine, or pain after an injury. Persistent pain, pain with sex, or pain that limits sitting and walking also deserves assessment. An enlarging or very tender Bartholin cyst may need drainage or marsupialisation.

Where is the pain coming from, and do I need swabs or an examination? Could a cyst, skin condition, infection, or vulvodynia explain the pattern? What can I use safely on the area?