Why do my labia minora become swollen and painful?

Some women have swollen and painful labia, so it is important to pay attention to this. In many cases, it is caused by vulvitis, which is a very common gynecological disease. It can occur independently or co-exist with other diseases. The most typical manifestations of vulvitis in women are vulvar itching, pain, swelling, rashes, ulcers, and erosions. It must be treated in time.

If your labia is swollen and painful, be careful of vulvitis. Let's take a look at the specific symptoms of vulvitis:

The common symptoms are itching, burning and pain in the vulvar skin, which worsens during activities, sexual intercourse and urination. In the acute phase, there is redness, swelling, congestion and scratches. In the chronic phase, there is inflammation, pain and itching, fissures and lichenification of the vulva. In some patients, the inner side of the labia minora is swollen, congested, eroded and has patches of eczema.

Common vulvitis in women includes the following:

(1) Nonspecific vulvitis: Stimulation from physical and chemical factors in life, lack of attention to hygiene, and physical weakness can all cause bacteria to invade the vulva of women and cause vulvitis, such as cervical and vaginal inflammation; or wearing non-breathable nylon underwear causes excessive vaginal secretions and irritation of the vulva; urine soaking the vulva; using unclean sanitary napkins and toilet paper to cause vulvar infection, etc. These factors will create conditions for the growth and reproduction of bacteria in the vulva. However, since this type of vulvitis is not caused by specific pathogens, but mostly mixed infections of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, etc., it is called nonspecific vulvitis.

(2) Fungal vulvitis: Vulvitis caused by a type of yeast infection, often coexisting with fungal vaginitis.

(3) Infant and young child vulvitis: Various bacteria begin to grow in the vagina of newborns 15 days after birth. In addition, since the external reproductive organs of infants and young children are immature, their ability to resist bacterial infection is poor. In addition, their vulva is easily soaked in urine and contaminated by feces, and children like to sit anywhere. These are all causes of infection and can cause infant and young child vulvitis.

( 4) Bartholinitis: more common in women of childbearing age, it is caused by infection of the Bartholin glands by bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, etc., which often causes acute inflammation. Bartholin's gland cyst: mostly due to long-term chronic inflammation, which causes obstruction of the Bartholin's gland duct, accumulation of glandular fluid, and cystic expansion of the gland; or due to the absorption of pus after the acute Bartholin's gland inflammation subsides. Bartholin's gland cyst and Bartholin's gland abscess can transform into each other.

(5) Acute vulvar ulcer: It is mostly caused by vulvitis of various reasons and is generally a manifestation of the vulvitis process.

(6) Sexually transmitted diseases: During the development of sexually transmitted diseases such as vulvar condyloma acuminatum, chancroid, genital herpes, and gonorrhea, the vulva will often show signs of inflammation.