Genital Pain
No one ever prepares you for pain in the genitals. This pain can occur anywhere involving the genitals: clitoris, penis, vulva, vagina, testicles, scrotum, and/or anus. Sometimes the pain involves multiple structures. Sometimes the pain is on one side and other times it’s on both sides. Sometimes the pain occurs with a specific activity (e.g. sex, wiping, sitting) and other times it is completely random.
What causes pain down there?
Pain in the genitals and saddle region can be caused by many different things.
The most important thing is to rule out any type of infection. For this, you need to be seen by a physician; primary care, gynecologist, or urologist most commonly. They will take samples to confirm if a bacterial or viral infection is causing your pain and symptoms.
Typically infections are associated with fever, chills, redness or swelling in specific areas.1
Other causes of pain can include:
- Muscle tension/dysfunction
- Nerve irritation
- Skin conditions
- Hormones
- Inflammation
What do I do for the pain?
After you have ruled out an infection, you should seek an evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist. This is especially true if you suspect muscles and/or nerves are causing your pain. To learn more about pelvic health PT, read here: https://www.thepelvicpractice.com/blog/who-can-benefit-from-pelvic-health-physical-therapy
To learn more about skin conditions that cause pelvic pain, read here:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/managing_common_vulvar_skin_conditions
To learn more about hormonal causes of pelvic pain, read here:
https://www.towerurology.com/mens-health/chronic-pelvic-pain/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/cancer-preventing-infections/patients/symptoms.html
