Red Vagina & Pink Vagina

 

Pink Vagina vs. Red: Identifying a Healthy Vagina

It happens to millions of women every year: you get up one morning to take a shower and notice you have some vulva redness. While you shouldn't panic and start frantically washing off or applying vaginal creams, you do need to be alert. A pink vagina is normal; a red vagina is a sign that something is affecting the skin. It could be as simple as a temporary irritation caused by contact dermatitis to something more serious such as genital herpes. If the redness doesn't go away after a few days or is accompanied by other symptoms, it's time to visit your doctor.

If Your Vagina is Red, does That Mean You Have a Disease?

Not necessarily. Vulva redness can be caused by things other than disease, sexually transmitted or otherwise. If you don't develop any other symptoms and it goes away after a day or two, it may well be the result of a mild irritation or reaction. If not, you need to look for other possible causes.

What Causes Vaginal Redness?

Most cases of prolonged vaginal redness fall into two categories: an infection or a skin disease. Examples of infections that can cause redness include:
*Bacterial vaginosis
*Trichomoniasis
*Chlamydia vaginitis
*Genital herpes
Skin diseases that may cause vulvar redness to develop include:
*Eczema
*Psoriasis
*Paget's disease
*Lichen planus

What Other Things Can Cause a Red Vagina?

Other causes of a red vagina can be:
*Poor personal hygiene
*Pubic lice or pinworms
*Allergic reactions to semen, latex, or spermicide
*Radiotherapy for cancer

What Other Symptoms Should be Noted?

Usually vaginal redness is accompanied by other symptoms that help identify the cause. These include:
*Itching
*Burning during urination, sex, or all the time
*Vaginal discharge
*Red, yellow, or white bumps, sores, or cysts
*Vaginal warts
*Scaly, flaky skin
*An unusual odor in the vaginal area

How do You Know if You Should See a Doctor?

If you have any other symptoms besides a red, not pink, vagina, or if the redness lasts longer than a few days, see your doctor as soon as possible. You can seek care from your primary care doctor, however it may be best to see a gynecologist.

Should Your Partner See a Doctor Too?

If your partner is exhibiting any unusual symptoms, he or she should also visit a doctor. Your partner will need to be tested and treated if a diagnosis of an infection or skin condition is made. Without treatment, they could reinfect you or experience more serious problems later.

Keeping your vagina healthy is important for your sake as well as your partner's. Practicing safe sex, being routinely tested for STD's, and practicing good personal hygiene are all important steps that will greatly reduce the chances of you developing an infection or skin condition. If you do notice that your normally pink vagina is red, don't delay seeing a doctor if the condition persists. The longer you wait, the worse your condition may get and the greater the chances are of you having more problems.