They protect the clitoris, vagina, and urethra from infection and damage. A variety of conditions can cause swollen labia, including infections and cysts. The labia are sometimes called the vaginal lips. There are two pairs of labia — the labia majora, located on the outside of the vagina, and labia minora, which are the inner folds of skin that lead to the vagina.

You have a swollen vagina after sex.
1. Arousal
Every once in a while, you may notice that things seem a little different below the belt after you have sex. An itchy vagina after sex? We all want our vaginas and vulvas to stay healthy, right? Here is what they told us you might notice. Post-coital itchiness could be due to a few things, says Maureen Whelihan, M. It could be irritation from friction while you were getting busy, a sensitivity or allergy to the lube you used, or an issue with latex condoms. The first one is no big deal and will gradually subside. But if you find that this is happening often, try switching out your lube to a hypoallergenic variety or use nonlatex condoms, and see if it makes a difference.
Why is my vagina or my vulva swollen?
The labia majora is a fold of skin on the outside of the vaginal area, while the labia minora is the inner lip leading to the vagina. Their function is to protect the vagina and clitoris from irritation and injury. But infections, allergies, cysts and other conditions can produce noticeable labia swelling and pain. Besides inflammation of the labia, other symptoms of problems with your labia and the vagina it surrounds may include:. Some common causes include:. According to the U. Department of Health and Human Services, 3 out of 4 women will have a yeast infection at some point during their lifetimes. Overgrowth of yeast — the most common culprit being Candida — can cause swelling, burning, and itchiness of the entire vaginal area, including the labia. This overgrowth can be due to antibiotic use, pregnancy, diabetes, or oral contraceptive use. Some women may also experience a cottage-cheese-like discharge.
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Vaginal swelling can be concerning and uncomfortable, but it rarely indicates severe illness. People with vaginal swelling often assume that they have a yeast infection, but this is just one of many possibilities. Vaginal swelling can be caused by allergies, sexually transmitted infections STIs , cysts , or rough intercourse. Treatment will depend on the cause. Anyone who experiences vaginal swelling should look for signs of infection and consult a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. An allergic reaction may cause the vagina to swell. The vagina is a sensitive part of the body and may react to any number of ingredients found in personal care products such as:. Swelling may appear in response to a new product, but a product the body is familiar with can also cause an allergic reaction.