Why does my vulva hurt during my period?

Top things to know: 

• Vulvar pain can have different causes, and it can change across the menstrual cycle

• Pain during your period can sometimes be felt in nearby areas because of referred pelvic pain

• Tracking vulvar pain and symptom intensity in the Clue app may help you identify patterns over time

Why do you get vulvar pain during your period?

Many people experience discomfort, irritation, or pain in the vulva during their menstrual cycle. Symptoms can range from mild soreness or itching to burning, throbbing, swelling, or sharp pain. 

Vulvar pain during your period can happen for several reasons. Hormonal changes, inflammation, infections, pelvic pain, and chronic pain conditions can all play a role. 

Tracking when symptoms happen may help you identify patterns and decide when you need to talk to a healthcare provider.

Vulva vs. vagina: What’s the difference?

The external female genital area is called the vulva. The outer folds of skin are called the labia majora, and the inner folds are called the labia minora (1). 

Whereas the vagina is the internal muscular canal inside the body (2). 

Vulvar symptoms occur on the external genitals and can include skin changes, itching, burning, or pain (1). Unlike internal vaginal pain, this pain or soreness is felt on the outer areas, such as the labia or the opening of the vagina. (2). 

Is vulvar pain during your period normal?

While severe pain should be evaluated, mild vulvar sensitivity or soreness can be a typical part of the menstrual cycle for many (4). This often arises from several factors; here are the most common causes:

Hormonal changes and inflammation

Hormones can influence vulvar and vaginal pain sensitivity. Lower estrogen levels may contribute to vulvar discomfort and pain during sex in some people (5). 

Menstruation also involves inflammatory and immune activity that may affect pain sensitivity in some people (4). Some chronic vulvar pain conditions may worsen before or during menstruation (4).

Changes in the vaginal microbiome

Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation can also affect the vaginal microbiome. During a period, levels of protective bacteria called Lactobacillus may decrease, while overall microbial diversity increases (6).

Because Lactobacillus helps maintain an environment that protects against harmful bacteria, these changes may increase the risk of vaginal imbalances such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), which can contribute to irritation and vulvar pain (6-8).

Hormonal changes may also contribute to yeast infections (thrush), which are caused by the fungus Candida. Symptoms can include itching, redness, soreness, burning, and irritation of the vulva (9).

Referred pelvic pain

Period pain does not always stay in one place. Because pelvic organs share nerve pathways, pain from the uterus and surrounding pelvic structures can sometimes be felt in nearby areas, including the vagina or vulva. This is called referred pain (10-12).

Vulvar pain during menstruation may be linked to referred pelvic pain, local vulvar sensitivity, infections, or a combination of factors (1,4,10).

Conditions linked to vulvar pain during menstruation

Beyond typical cycle-related shifts, certain underlying health conditions can cause or intensify vulvar pain and soreness during your period.

Chronic vulvar pain conditions

Vulvodynia Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition affecting the vulva. Symptoms may include burning, stinging, soreness, irritation, or tenderness (1). Pain may affect the entire vulva or only one area, such as the vaginal opening or clitoris.

Some people experience constant symptoms, while others notice pain only with pressure or touch, such as during tampon insertion, penetrative sex, sitting for long periods, or wearing tight clothing (1).

Symptoms may fluctuate across the menstrual cycle. About half of the people with vulvodynia report worsening pain before or during menstruation, with improvement after their period (4).

Cyclic vulvovaginitis

Some people experience recurrent vulvar or vaginal symptoms that happen around the same phase of the menstrual cycle.

Cyclic vulvovaginitis describes recurrent burning, stinging, itching, or irritation of the vulva and/or vagina that tends to occur before or during menstruation and improve during the rest of the cycle (3).

Vaginal and reproductive tract infections

Some infections can cause vulvar pain, burning, irritation, or soreness during menstruation.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) may cause irritation, burning, or changes in vaginal discharge (7,8). Yeast infections can cause itching, redness, soreness, swelling, and irritation of the vulva (9).

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the reproductive organs that more commonly causes lower abdominal or pelvic pain, fever, pain during sex, or changes in vaginal discharge (13). While PID does not usually cause vulvar pain directly, infections linked to vaginal irritation—including some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), BV, or yeast infections—may contribute to vulvar symptoms such as burning, itching, or soreness (13-16).

Gynecological conditions

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.

In rare cases, endometriosis can affect the vulvar area. When this happens, it may cause cyclic pain that worsens during menstruation, often along with localized swelling or a tender lump (17,18). 

Fibroids 

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that most often develop in the uterus (19). They more commonly cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, or cramping, rather than vulvar pain (19).

In some cases, pelvic pain linked to fibroids may be felt in nearby areas because pelvic organs share nerve pathways (10,12,20).

Large fibroids can press on nearby structures in the pelvis. One case report described a large fibroid compressing nerves in the lower back and pelvis, resulting in groin pain and neurological symptoms (21). 

In rare cases, fibroids can develop in the vulva itself and may present as a vulvar lump with local symptoms such as discomfort, pain, swelling, itching, redness, and sometimes no pain at all (22,23).

Skin conditions and irritation

Some skin conditions can cause vulvar pain, burning, soreness, or itching (24). These include:

• Lichen sclerosus

• Lichen planus

• Lichen simplex chronicus

Vulvar dermatitis, including allergic or irritant dermatitis, can also cause redness, itching, and burning pain (25,26).

Symptoms may sometimes be triggered or worsened by products that come into contact with the vulva, such as scented soaps, wipes, sprays, detergents, or menstrual products (25,26).

What vulvar pain can feel like

People describe vulvar pain during their period in different ways. Symptoms may include (1):

• Burning

• Stinging

• Throbbing

• Swelling or pressure

• Soreness or tenderness

• Itching

• Pain during tampon insertion

• Pain during sex 

• Discomfort when sitting or wearing tight clothing

Symptoms may be constant or come and go throughout the menstrual cycle.

How to relieve vulvar discomfort during your period

Because vulvar irritation can have different causes, what helps can vary from person to person. 

Reduce irritation 

To reduce irritations, some people find these strategies helpful (24):

• Avoid scented soaps, wipes, sprays, fragranced menstrual products, or harsh cleansers

• Try not to scratch or rub the area, even if it feels itchy

• Wear loose-fitting clothing and breathable cotton underwear

• Use cool gel packs or warm shallow baths to soothe irritation

• Apply plain petroleum jelly after bathing to help protect irritated skin

• If dryness is contributing to discomfort, using a lubricant during sex may help (27)

Relieve period-related pelvic pain

If vulvar discomfort is linked to period pain or pelvic cramping, some people find the following strategies helpful (28):

• Heat, such as a heating pad or warm bath

• Pain relief, such as NSAIDs work best when taken at the first sign of pain

• Gentle movement, stretching, yoga, or rest may also help 

Supporting vaginal and vulvar health

These habits may help reduce irritation and lower the risk of infections (29):

• Keep the vulva as dry as possible

• Change out of wet clothing soon after exercise or swimming

• Clean the vulva gently with warm water

• Avoid douching, which can disrupt the natural balance of vaginal bacteria

• Choose breathable underwear, such as cotton

• Clean reusable menstrual products after each use

• Using condoms during sex may help reduce exposure to new bacteria

• Foods with live cultures or probiotics may help support healthy vaginal bacteria

• If you often get yeast infections while taking antibiotics, ask a healthcare provider about preventive treatment

What helps can vary, and some people may benefit from trying a combination of approaches (30).

How to track and describe vuvlar pain symptoms

Tracking vulvar pain over time may help identify patterns across the menstrual cycle and provide insights into symptom changes (31). 

Logging other related symptoms—such as discharge, itching, vaginal dryness, swelling, or soreness—may help build a clearer picture of what’s happening. Tracking can also help support discussions with a healthcare provider (32).

When to see a healthcare provider

If you’re experiencing vulvar pain and aren’t sure what’s causing it, it’s a good idea to contact a healthcare provider. They can help diagnose and treat the underlying cause (29).

Seek medical care if pain:

• Is severe or sudden

• Keeps returning

• Interferes with daily activities

• Makes sex or tampon insertion painful

• Happens alongside unusual discharge

Seek urgent medical care if you have (13):

• Fever

• Severe illness

• Nausea or vomiting

If vulvar pain is ongoing or difficult to manage, care may involve multiple healthcare specialists. A coordinated approach may help improve diagnosis and treatment (33).

FAQs

Why does my vulva feel “throbbing” or “swollen” during my period?

Hormonal changes during menstruation can increase blood flow, fluid retention, and pain sensitivity in the vulvar area. Some people also notice that chronic vulvar pain conditions, such as vulvodynia, worsen before or during a period (4).

Premenstrual fluid retention may also contribute to feelings of swelling or pressure in the pubic area (34).

Can I use tampons if my vulva hurts?

Yes—but don’t force it. Vulvar pain can sometimes be triggered by pressure or insertion, including tampons (1). People with vulvar pain conditions may also be less likely to use tampons and may switch to pads over time (4). If tampon insertion is consistently painful, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider. 

Is it normal for my vulva to hurt during ovulation?

It can happen for some people, although ovulation pain is more commonly felt in the lower abdomen. Pain from pelvic structures can sometimes be felt in nearby areas, including the vulva. This is called referred pain (10,12,20).

Pain may also fluctuate across the menstrual cycle in people with vulvodynia, with symptoms worsening at certain times of the cycle (4).