The vagina is a closed muscular canal that extends from the vulva — the outside of the female genital area — to the neck of the uterus cervix. Various factors can affect the health of your vagina, including:.
You might not need to see your doctor every time you have vaginal irritation and discharge, particularly if you've been diagnosed with a vaginal yeast infection in the past and you're experiencing similar signs and symptoms.
However, if you choose to use an over-the-counter medication and your symptoms don't go away, consult your doctor. While not all vaginal problems can be prevented, regular checkups can help ensure that problems affecting your vagina are diagnosed as soon as possible.
Don't let embarrassment prevent you from talking to your doctor about any concerns you might have about your vaginal health. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you.
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This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Women's health. Products and services. Not only does this condition cause more painful periods and pain during sex, but it can also cause infertility. Other symptoms include:.
Many studies show there is a small but increased risk of ovarian cancer in women with endometriosis. Be aware of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer, which include:. Over-the-counter pain medications may help ease your symptoms. If problems persist, your doctor may suggest hormone therapy or surgical options, including hysterectomy. Many things can cause pelvic floor pain , so work with your doctor to pinpoint the culprit. A common cause is pelvic floor dysfunction or levator spasm, where pelvic floor muscles spasm as a reflex to other types of pain.
Pelvic congestion syndrome similar to varicose veins, but in the pelvis and irritation of the pudendal nerve one of the main nerves in the pelvis can also cause pelvic pain. There are several likely suspects that could be causing vaginal and pelvic pain, including infections, cysts or other conditions.
Find out more about reasons for discomfort and what you can do about it. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.
Related Articles. Feminine Odor Problems? What Every Woman Needs to Know. How to Decode Your Vaginal Discharge. Flaws can range from minimal irregularities such as a receding hairline or having one eye slightly larger than the other.
Others can be stark abnormalities such as a distorted limb or a blatant handicap. However, when it comes to the more private area of our bodies, it may be more difficult to differentiate between normal and abnormal. Pelvic appearance and health continue to remain private subjects for most. Request a FREE confidential consultation. The research continued to say that many women rely on pornographic material to compare their private parts to what they think might be the norm.
Based on those often misconstrued observations, a staggering 1 in 7 women request labiaplasty because what they see on TV and elsewhere appears to be different from their own. Unlike men, whose sexual organs are mostly external, the outer visible parts of your genitalia are limited to the vulva, which can be seen when facing a mirror standing up.
Even those parts may be obscured by pubic hair unless you opt for a waxed or shaven appearance. The rest of your sexual organs are internal, and investigating them for possible problems can only be done by pulling back the labia or having your gynecologist discern any possible abnormalities during your annual checkup.
There are several parts to the vulva, but most women are concerned with the appearance of the following:. Mons pubis or mons veneris: The gently sloped shaven or unshaven mound you see when facing a mirror. The mound size depends on hormone levels and weight. The mons pubis enlarges at puberty and sinks at menopause due to estrogen levels.
In some cases, sharp pains in this area can occur, sometimes during later stages of pregnancy or even after, and if this discomfort is excessive, you should consult your physician. The appearance of the mons pubis is different from woman to woman and can fluctuate in size with weight, childbirth or during the aging process.
If you find yours to be unsightly, monsplasty a pubic lift can reduce, lift or tighten sagging in this area, thus improving its size and appearance. Labia majora: The two outer sides of the vulva called labia majora resemble pads or cheeks that are separated by lip-like tissue pudendal cleft. These labia extend from the mons pubis all the way down to the base of the vulva and perineum. They consist of fatty tissue that contains oil and sweat glands. A slight musty smell is normal, and you may even emit a somewhat metallic odor around menstruation.
Foul smell or discharge should be checked. Labia majora size is different from one woman to the next. Just as you can have one foot bigger than the other, labial size varies and perfect symmetry is actually more unusual than the norm.
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