Pain in the clitoris after childbirth

The clitoris is an organ of the female genital tract visible from the upper part of the vulva. After pregnancy and childbirth, women experience various physical and psychological changes, and among the former are those affecting the female genitalia. In the case of the clitoris, its sensitivity may decrease. In some cases, pain is even experienced due to reasons we will explain in detail. Keep reading this FastlyHealarticle on clitoral pain after childbirth to discover the causes and the right solutions.

What is the clitoris?

The clitoris is the female sexual organ capable of generating sexual pleasure for women. That is its exclusive function. It is located inside the vagina but visible since it covers the upper part of the vulva. It has innumerable nerve endings, glands, and blood vessels to fulfill its role.

After stimulation of the clitoris, it can increase its size, becoming visible in the folds of the labia minora that slightly cover it. In addition, it has a trunk or body that makes it remain attached to the pubic bone. In that place, there are bands of erectile tissue and an area called the clitoral bulb that also make it a highly vascularized area.

The clitoris is characterized by being an erogenous and susceptible area. Through its stimulation, brain reactions are generated that allow the woman to increase the feeling of well-being. When this stimulation is maintained, orgasm is reached.

Clitoral pain after childbirth: causes

After passing the delivery period and during its recovery, some women go to gynecological consultation reporting pain in the clitoris, and this may be due to different reasons such as:

• Fetal pressure: many times, pain in the clitoris before and after childbirth is due to the excess pressure that the fetus exerts during pregnancy on the pelvic organs. In addition to this, during birth, there may be hyperextension of the tissues of the vagina, including the clitoris, increasing its sensitivity for a time. After the first 14 days after delivery, pain and sensitivity decrease.
• Likewise, in the area of ​​the clitoris, pain may be felt after birth if it has been necessary to place a bladder catheter to eliminate urine. Being a nearby area, pain may appear in this organ.
• It is usual for there to be pain and tenderness in the clitoris after delivery due to stretching and manipulation during vaginal delivery. This causes it to increase in size for a few days, initially generating temporary sexual dysfunction.
• If the delivery was complex and required instruments, forceps delivery, there would likely be much more pain and swelling in the clitoris and the vagina.

Other changes in the female genitalia after childbirth

Many pregnant women doubt how their intimate area will be after childbirth. Will my vagina be more enormous? Will I have less sensitivity? These are some of the first questions a woman asks her specialist as the time of the birth of her baby approaches. Here are these possible changes that can occur in the female genitalia after childbirth:

1. Size: logically, the vagina will be swollen and distended after delivery due to the baby’s passage. However, with the passing of the hours, the inflammation will diminish, and little by little, the tonicity of this area will recover. Indeed, the vaginal area will be different after delivery, and the labia majora and minora will feel different for a while.
2. Color: During pregnancy, the vagina and anus area darkens. Once the first weeks of the puerperium have elapsed, which is the stage of the first 40 days after delivery, the color of the room will return to normal.
3. Episiotomy: In most cases, there is a medical procedure called an episiotomy, which consists of cutting the area called the perineum, just between the vagina and the anus, to allow the vagina to expand even more and avoid tears during childbirth. Once this stage is completed, the doctor proceeds to take stitches under a procedure called episiorrhaphy. Sometimes and during the first days, there will be discomfort and pain. If the care of the puerperium is carried out correctly, the probability that the birth points will open is almost nil. According to the “Virgen de Valve” Seville University Hospital, the prevalence of episiotomy ranges between 70–90% [1], well above the 30% recommended by the WHO.
4. Vaginal dryness: during the lactation stage, there is some hormones inactivity. This causes dryness in the vagina to persist, annoying, especially when restarting sexual intercourse.
5. Sensitivity: logically, the vagina is much more sensitive after childbirth than usual. Sometimes this can be prolonged over time and when continuing sexual life. Once the medical care is completed, it is recommended to use a lubricant so that the sexual act is much more comfortable.
6. Urinary incontinence: This disorder is common in many women after childbirth due to weakening the pelvic floor muscles. The good news is that it usually returns to normal for a time, approximately, from the sixth month after delivery.
7. Bleeding: many times, there are doubts regarding this issue, although it is true that after childbirth, there is a loss of a kind of discharge similar to vaginal blood, which is called lochia, this will occur during the first days and will decrease progressively.

Caring for the vaginal area after childbirth

After delivery, the doctor will recommend some feminine hygiene measures that should be adapted to the procedure performed and even more if the episiotomy was required. At least, for the first 40 days, it is recommended:

• For at least the first week, use a mild local disinfectant diluted in water to rinse the area well.
• Instead of rubbing the vagina, the area should be dried with a towel and light pressure.
• Avoid using wet towels for at least a while so as not to irritate the area.
• After the first week of strict care, the vaginal area can be washed, usually using intimate soap.
• Change pads frequently while lochia is present to prevent bacterial growth.
• Wash the intimate area from the vulva to the anus to avoid carrying microbes from the anal place to the vaginal area.
• Wear cotton underwear.

The entire vagina changes during pregnancy and after delivery. It is usual for there to be pain and tenderness in some cases. Do not hesitate to follow the recommendations of the specialists and carry out all the care of the vaginal area after childbirth for a speedy recovery.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Pain in the clitoris after childbirth, we recommend that you enter our category of the Female reproductive system.

Alivia Nyhan

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.