Puffy vagina: 8 Causes, 8 Symptoms, 7 Treatments

Puffy vagina can be really very troublesome, as vagina is a very sensitive part, and any discomfort in this part is really awful. Let’s explore it.

Swelling is not uncommon. It occurs in different parts of the body. Accumulation of fluid in the body tissues causes swelling or puffiness. It can be localized – restricted to specific parts of the body or can be generalized – swelling all over the body.

While it is easy to understand localized swelling, sometimes it is difficult to perceive the swelling in specific parts. Yes, this is about vaginal swelling, which is commonly termed puffy vagina.

What is a puffy vagina? Is it a serious complication? How to identify the fat vagina? Is fat vagina normal? How to lose vagina fat? If you have experienced mild swelling in the vagina, you might brainstorm with too many variables of puffy a vagina. Let’s explore the causes, symptoms and treatment options available to treat puffy vagina.

Causes of Puffy Vagina:

Puffy vagina, aka vaginal swelling, may occur in any part of the vagina. Before we read about the causes of a puffy vagina, let us see the parts of the vagina.

• The Labia – It is the skin that covers the vaginal opening. It is visible as the vaginal skin fold and covered by the pubic hair. It protects the clitoris and the vagina from injury and irritation.
• The clitoris is a small part found at the top of the vagina. It is the point where the inner folds of vagina meet. It comprises of many nerve endings.
• Urethral opening, which expels the urine.
• Vaginal opening, which is placed below the urethral opening, connects the uterus.
• Mons pubis is a fleshy part located above the vaginal opening. It protects the pubic bone.

So, swelling of any part of the vagina leads to the puffy vagina or fat vagina.

Infections – Bacteria, Virus and Fungi:

Infection is a broad term that can affect any part of the body. Similarly, different microorganisms cause infection in various infections.

Bacterial Infection:

The vagina is prone to bacterial and fungal infection. In fact, the vagina has healthy bacterium as securities, which protect this sensitive organ. Overgrowth of bacteria is common when these microorganisms inhabit in the vagina.  It leads to infection and results in swelling of the vagina.

Viral Infection:

Viral infections in the vaginal area are very rare, yet it makes a severe infection. Herpes is the most common viral infection that leads to puffy vagina along with irritation, itchiness, small blisters, etc.

Fungal Infection:

Similar to bacteria, fungal infection is quite common in the vaginal area. Fungi grow in the vaginal area due to many reasons. To name a few, lack of hygiene, constant dampness in and around the vagina, etc. In most cases, the natural immune system takes a good control over the growth of fungi in the body.

When you fall sick, the fungi multiply and lead to infection. Also called as the yeast infection, it not only causes puffy vagina but also results in smelly discharge and irritation.

Trauma:

Sexual assault causes a severe trauma and damages many components of the vagina. Trauma not only causes puffy vagina but also leads to constant bleeding.

However, sexual assault is not just the cause of trauma that can tear the vagina. Rough sex or intercourse without proper lubrication also causes trauma, which affects vagina.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections:

Sexually transmitted diseases and infections cause a lot of discomfort in the vaginal area. Chlamydia and Trichomoniasis are the two common bacterial infection triggered due to sexual intercourse.

Irritation to Certain Products:

Most common cause of puffy vagina is using inappropriate products in the sensitive vaginal area. Use of scents, soaps, scented sprays, or liquid washes for maintaining hygiene, disturbs the natural fluid balance and pH level in the vagina. It causes irritation, which leads to vaginal swelling.

Obstruction of Glands:

Just like many organs, a vagina has glands and ducts. These glands are located in the vaginal walls, invisible to the eyes. These parts are responsible for lubrication and support the natural fluid production.

Infection or obstruction in these glands causes blockage in the form of tiny cysts, fluid cysts, etc. Sometimes it can also cause painful blisters filled with pus. It leads to the puffy vagina.

Infection of the glands easily spread to other parts of the vagina, which turns out to be painful.

Vaginal Bruise:

Vagina has multiple nerves/veins connected by different parts of the body. The bruise occurs due to blockage or damage in the veins that are responsible for carrying blood from heart to vagina and vice versa. It causes accumulation of blood, resulting in the puffy vagina.

Irritation from Condom Chemical:

Use of condoms may cause irritation and swelling in the vaginal area.

Ageing:

Vaginal atrophy occurs due to ageing, which causes puffy vagina. In medical terms, it is referred ‘atrophic vagina.’ It is common in postmenopausal women.

Symptoms of Puffy Vagina:

The puffy vagina is often missed out and a problem frequently missed by many women. In many cases, puffy vagina comes with many signs and symptoms, which indicates the swelling of the vagina.

• Pain in the vaginal area
• Irritation and itching
• Vaginal discharge with or without the foul smell
• Burning sensation
• Painful urination
• Blisters, pus-filled abscess
• Lump in the vaginal area
• Pain during or after sexual intercourse

Treatment for Puffy Vagina:

Vaginal swelling and the associated symptoms may be very uncomfortable. It affects the daily activities too. Treatment for fat vagina aims at reducing the swelling and the discomfort.

Generally, vaginal swelling gets easily treated with simple home remedies. However, the causes of puffy vagina zero on the right treatment.

No Treatment:

How to lose vaginal fat is not rocket science. In many cases, you don’t need any special treatment to get rid of the vaginal swelling. No treatment itself makes a better treatment for vaginal swelling.

For instance, due to sensitivity caused by chemicals result with the fat vulva. When you do not disturb the natural fluid balance, the pH restores. Eventually, it subsides the puffiness of the vagina.

You can leave the vaginal area naturally without any special focus for a day or two to see if the symptoms improve. In most cases, the swelling reduces in a couple of days. However, you can try simple home remedies to ease away the irritation and itchiness.

Ice Bath:

Ice comes handy. It is indeed a saviour for many inflammatory problems. Whether it is swelling due to injury or internal damage or otherwise, applying ice, reduce the swelling instantly. The same applies to treating vaginal swelling.

Wrap the ice cubes in a small cloth and gently apply on the swollen vagina. Alternatively, freeze cloth and place it on the vaginal area. It provides instant relief from swelling and irritation.

Sitz Bath:

It is nothing but bathing in warm water with added salt.  The sitz bath kit is available in the pharmacies. If not, you can try it at home. Add a handful of Epsom salt or magnesium salt or pink salt into the tub of warm water.

Sit in the bath comfortably for 15 to 20 minutes. Adding salt to the bath water soothes the pain, reduces swelling, and controls the irritation.

Probiotics:

Probiotics contain natural bacteria. Your body has natural bacteria in right balance. Called as healthy bacteria, these are found in fermented foods. Any imbalance in your body, which may be due to diet, hygiene, use of medicines etc. affects the balance in bacterium levels. The same happens to the puffy vagina.

Eating probiotics help in balancing the bacteria. Yoghurt is rich in probiotics. Eat plentiful yoghurt to reduce the fluffy vulva. You can also apply fresh yoghurt on the affected area to ease the swelling.

Hydration is the Key:

In some cases, dehydration leads to poor lubrication. It is essential to help your vaginal area to stay moist and lubricated. Lack of hydration leads to vaginitis. It is quite common in middle-aged women.  When your body is dehydrated, it affects the vaginal area also. Ensure you are hydrated well.

Antibiotic Medicine:

While the above-mentioned remedies reduce the vaginal swelling, it may not give permanent relief if the puffy vagina is caused by bacterial infection. Intake of antibiotics is the best treatment for an infection caused by bacteria.

Prescription Creams:

As mentioned above, based on the causes the treatment varies. For fungal infection, you can get the prescription antifungal creams to get rid of the vaginal fat and irritation.

Prevention:

Being a sensitive part of the body, it is essential that you should take good care of the vagina. Maintaining good hygiene is the key to proper vaginal care. However, that doesn’t mean you should apply different products to keep the vaginal area clean.

In fact, staying away from scented or perfumed products from applying on vaginal area helps to maintain the natural balance. It also prevents irritation and dryness.

A safe sexual intercourse practice (using a high-quality condom that doesn’t cause any irritation) prevents the sexually transmitted diseases.

When to see a doctor?

• When the vaginal swelling doesn’t subside for more than a week,
• When you constantly feel discomfort in the vaginal area,
• When you develop blisters in the vagina, and it doesn’t subside
• When your body temperature increases,
• When the vaginal area constantly itches and irritates you