Vaginal Pain or Haemorrhoids? - Time to Rethink! 

What Is Vaginal Pain or Vulvar Pain?

Vaginal or vulvar pain is pain around the vaginal region that can be a temporary symptom of an infection or injury. However, it can also be a chronic symptom with no particular cause.

Different reasons can cause vulvar pain out of which the most common ones are the following;

• Infection
• Physical trauma
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Vulvodynia/chronic and unexplained vulvar pain
• Bartholin's cyst (cyst of glands near the vaginal opening)

What are Haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids are bulged veins inside of your anal tube or anal canal. 

The anal canal is the end of your intestine, the pathway for your faeces to come out. These swollen blood vessels in the rectum and anus can cause pain, itching, and discomfort, disrupting daily life and compromising one's well-being.

Haemorrhoids usually occur from repeated friction from chronic constipation and weakening of the walls of the anal canal.

So, these haemorrhoids, which are commonly known as 'Piles' or 'Fig', can be mainly of two varieties,

• Internal haemorrhoids
• External haemorrhoids

External haemorrhoids may cause visible lumps around the anal opening, while internal haemorrhoids can lead to rectal bleeding or prolapse, where they protrude outside the anal opening.

Your haemorrhoids will cause pain only when they start getting complicated. Sometimes, the bulged part gets strangled by your anal sphincters (Sphincters are ring-like muscles around your anal canal that hold and release the anal opening), which causes severe pain.

Can Haemorrhoids Cause Vaginal Pain?

So, now let's come back to clarify why you must know the real cause of vulvar pain.

Sometimes, the presence of haemorrhoids may be why you have that non-ending vaginal and perineal pain (the perineal region is the space between your vaginal and anal openings.)

Let's see how.

• External haemorrhoids, when complicated and infected, bleed and ooze. The exudate can irritate the anal opening that may spread to the perineal and vaginal regions. 
• This infected fluid can also cause vulvar swelling, thus causing pain in the vulvar region.
• Also, internally the muscular structure of the anal canal and vaginal canal are near each other, and the pressure in the anal canal can cause discomfort in the vaginal canal.
• Furthermore, with ageing, if muscles that hold the structures intact become weak, prolapse of the bladder, rectum, or uterus may occur, along with haemorrhoids. This condition can also cause pain.

Haemorrhoids can trigger vulvar pain, but you cannot call it a cause.

You must talk to your consultant to know the actual cause of your vaginal pain or to see if it is actually from your haemorrhoids.

Misconceptions and Misunderstandings of Haemorrhoidal Vaginal Pain

Haemorrhoids can be a little scary when you notice bleeding and a mass protruding out of your anal region. However, this is treatable when you address the cause.

There are some misunderstandings about hemorrhoidal vaginal pain. Let's bust all your doubts here!

• Is The Whole Uterus Coming Out of Your Vagina?

The pain and pressure that you experience may feel like your uterus is coming out. But no, just because you have piles or haemorrhoids does not mean that you have uterine prolapse!

However, if your pelvic muscles are weak for various reasons, there are chances of uterine prolapse, but it is a different situation. 

• Is it Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

The causes of pelvic infections are different. PIDs come with severe abdominal pain and not just vaginal pain.

Haemorrhoids and Women's Health

Various research studies have found that there is no increased occurrence of haemorrhoids in women than in men. However, above the age of 45, 25% of those who develop haemorrhoids are female, whereas men pertain only 15%. 

Did you know that women tend to receive less treatment for haemorrhoids than men? It's something to think about!

• Most women experience haemorrhoids during pregnancy and childbirth. It happens because of the increased abdominal pressure on the blood vessels in the pelvic area. Also, straining during delivery puts extra pressure on the blood vessels around the anal canal.
• Menopause is another culprit which comes with a tremendous hormonal level variation. During this time, recurrent constipation is one of the symptoms. Sometimes, there is incomplete emptying, faecal incontinence, bloating and gas, rectal prolapse, etc. 

The best understanding of the formation of haemorrhoids during the menopausal period is the laxity of every part of the body, including the muscles aroung the anal canal.

Importance of Self-Care and Detection of Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are a hidden condition of an area we almost always keep hidden. But no, if the toilet problem troubles you, it has to be addressed appropriately.

• It's always better to consult for your haemorrhoids in the early stage before you get that vaginal pain.
• If you have chronic constipation or sudden bleeding during defecation, it's always best to examine where the bleeding is coming from.

Did you know that certain foods you eat could either ease or worsen your hemorrhoid symptoms?
Understanding what foods are contributing to your discomfort can be the first step in taking control of your health. That's why we've created a quick, personalized quiz to help you identify which foods might be triggering your hemorrhoid symptoms. It only takes a few minutes and could provide valuable insights into improving your diet and managing your symptoms.

Find Out What’s Triggering Your Hemorrhoids
Take the Quiz

Furthermore, let your consultant know your history modestly and let them examine you as required.

Self-Care for Swollen Haemorrhoids: Prevent Vaginal Pain

If you have painless haemorrhoids and suddenly start experiencing pain and swelling, here are some self-care remedies that can help before you approach your consultant.

• Cold pack - A cold pack helps decrease the pain and swelling immediately.
• Donut pillow/coccyx pillow: This helps prevent constant pressure in the anal area. Use it whenever you sit.
• Warm sitz bath - Warm sitz bath helps soothe the area and reduce pain. It also removes any discharge and skin changes in the perineal area. It benefits vaginal pain associated with haemorrhoids.
• Saline water pack: A cotton ball dipped in warm saline water can be held in place of the painful external pile mass for about 10 minutes. This gives pain relief and helps reduce swelling.
• Wash with water boiled in turmeric and gooseberry powder—Water boiled with turmeric and gooseberry and then cooled down can be used to wash the area at least two times a day. It reduces eczematous changes in the peri-anal area and has antimicrobial activity, which helps reduce infection, if any.

Furthermore, your consultants must choose various medical and surgical options for treating haemorrhoids.

How Do You Know It's Complicated?

Even though external haemorrhoids show outside and can get complicated sooner, internal haemorrhoids also pose a risk.

Following are some of the complications that need immediate attention -

• Continuous bleeding
• Severe swelling and pain
• Pus discharge
• Blockage of stools
• Fatigue, loss of weight and fever

Once you start experiencing any of the above symptoms, never hesitate to consult a doctor to seek help.

Conclusion

Haemorrhoids or piles pain and vaginal or vulvar pain are two different conditions. While haemorrhoids or piles cause pain in the anal area, vaginal or vulvar pain refers to discomfort in the female genital region. Haemorrhoids cannot happen in the vaginal canal. Understanding the difference in the cause, symptoms, and treatment is essential.

However, it's worth noting that not all swellings and discharges around the anal region are haemorrhoids. Several other conditions, such as fistula-in-ano, fissure-in-ano with sentinel pile mass, cancerous masses, peri-anal abscess, rectal prolapse, and warts, can affect this area. Proper diagnosis is crucial for effective management and relief.

Talk to our experts if you have any symptoms you feel you have kept hidden.