Sore vagina and tears in the birth canal

What does a "sore vagina" mean?

A sore vagina refers to irritated, inflamed, or injured mucous membranes in the area of the vulva and vagina. Often, small tears can be seen at the vaginal opening or on the labia, sometimes the symptoms are mainly felt but not clearly visible. It is typical for the intimate area to feel sore, rough, burning, or "chafed." In many cases, these are so-called vaginal fissures – fine cracks caused by mechanical stress or dry mucous membranes.

Symptoms: How can you recognize a sore vagina?

The symptoms can vary in intensity. Often, several symptoms occur simultaneously. Typical are:

• Burning or stinging in the intimate area, especially on touch
• Itching, redness, or swelling of the vulva and vaginal opening
• Feeling of dryness or tightness
• Pain during intercourse (Dyspareunia)
• Sensitivity when walking, sitting, or using the toilet

Some women discover small cracks or pinpoint injuries on the labia or in the area of the vaginal opening. Others only notice that every touch – even underwear – suddenly feels uncomfortable.

Causes: Why does the vagina become sore or tear?

The causes of a sore vagina are diverse. Usually, several factors play a role simultaneously. Basically, they can be divided into three major groups: mechanical irritation, hormonal changes, and infections.

Mechanical irritation

Mechanical stress is one of the most common causes of vaginal fissures and irritated mucous membranes. These mainly include:

• intense or prolonged sexual intercourse with insufficient moisture
• Friction from sports such as horseback riding, cycling, or jogging
• Intimate shaving or waxing with micro-lesions on the skin
• tight, chafing, or synthetic underwear

If the mucosa is already slightly irritated or dry, these stimuli are enough to cause fine tears.

Hormonal changes and dryness

The hormonal status directly affects the vaginal mucosa. A decreasing estrogen level causes the mucosa to become thinner, less elastic, and less lubricated. The risk of tears and pain increases.

Important hormonal constellations are:

• menopause and perimenopause
• breastfeeding period and postpartum period
• long-term use or discontinuation of the birth control pill
• hormonal therapies, including chemo- or radiation therapy in the pelvic area

In these phases, vaginal dryness, vaginal dystrophy, and pain during sex are particularly common.

Infections and inflammations

Vaginal infections such as yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or colpitis alter the vaginal environment. The mucous membrane becomes inflamed, sensitive, and loses its protective function. An inflamed mucous membrane tears more easily, even under less strain. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also cause painful lesions, redness, and oozing areas in the intimate area.

Other contributing factors

Additionally, factors such as stress, weakened immune system, chlorinated water when swimming, irritating detergents, or excessive intimate hygiene (e.g., aggressive soaps, intimate sprays) can disturb the vaginal environment. The interplay of these triggers often leads to a sore, dry, sensitive vagina.

Wound vagina after sex – how does it happen?

Discomfort after sexual intercourse is very common. The key factor here is the lubricity of the mucous membrane. If the vagina is not sufficiently moist, increased friction occurs. The mucous membrane loses its elasticity and can tear. This particularly affects women with vaginal dryness – for example, during menopause, with hormonal contraception, or in stressful phases.

Often the problem only becomes apparent hours after sex: burning, stinging, pain when urinating, and the feeling that the vagina is sore or "abraded." If this pattern repeats, chronic fissures can develop that repeatedly reopen.

For prevention, a combination of good arousal, sufficient moisture, possibly lubricant, and a stable mucous membrane structure is crucial. This is where vaginal suppositories like CANNEFF® VAG SUP come into play, which not only provide acute relief but also improve the regeneration and resilience of the mucous membranes.

What can you do yourself for a sore vagina?

A sore vagina primarily needs rest, protection, and targeted care. The following measures support healing:

• protect the intimate area from further friction and strain
• temporarily abstain from sexual intercourse
• use pH-neutral, mild intimate care and avoid aggressive products
• wear cotton underwear and airy clothing
• gently pat dry after using the toilet instead of rubbing vigorously
• do not use intimate sprays or perfumed washing lotions

If the cause is clear, such as a one-time mechanical overload, such measures may be sufficient. In cases of recurring vaginal dryness or fissures, targeted mucosal therapy is advisable.

How do CANNEFF® VAG SUP vaginal suppositories work for sore mucous membranes?

CANNEFF® VAG SUP is a medical vaginal suppository specially developed to relieve pain, dryness, and promote mucosal healing. It combines two key components: cannabidiol (CBD) and hyaluronic acid.

CANNEFF® VAG SUP has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties. Applied to the mucosa, it can soothe irritations, modulate inflammatory processes, and thus reduce burning or painful symptoms. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of connective tissue and acts as a moisture reservoir. It binds water, improves lubrication, and supports mucosal regeneration.

Through a special emulsion matrix, the active ingredients are absorbed via the vaginal mucosa after inserting the suppository and distributed locally in the surrounding tissue. This way, not only the vagina itself but also the vulva, vaginal entrance, labia, clitoral area, and the entrance of the urethra can benefit from the pain-relieving and regeneration-promoting effects. At the same time, the suppositories improve the lubrication properties of the vagina, which is advantageous in painful intercourse and in cases prone to fissures.

Areas of application and dosage of CANNEFF® VAG SUP

CANNEFF® VAG SUP is used for various complaints associated with dry, irritated, or damaged vaginal mucous membranes. These include vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, vaginal fissures, mucosal irritations after infections, and atrophic changes during menopause or after therapies.

The dosage depends on the specific area of application. Typically, the product is used in the evening before going to bed so that the active ingredients can work for several hours. In many cases, a course of 20 to 30 days is recommended, for example for atrophic mucosa, dryness during menopause, or after surgeries and radiation therapy. In case of pain during sexual intercourse, an additional application shortly before the planned intercourse can be made to improve lubrication and reduce pain.

Hands should be washed thoroughly before and after use. The recommended duration of use of 30 days should not be exceeded without medical consultation. Since the suppositories contain fats, attention should be paid to the material when using condoms simultaneously, as latex can be affected.

When should you see a doctor for an open wound on the vagina?

Not every sore spot in the intimate area is harmless. Medical evaluation is important if:

• an open, oozing, or heavily reddened wound is visible
• swelling, severe pain, or unusual discharge occurs
• symptoms persist for several days despite rest and care
• fever or general malaise occurs
• there is suspicion of a sexually transmitted infection

Gynecologists can assess whether an infection, a specific disease, a cyst, or another cause is present and whether additional antibiotic or antifungal therapy is necessary. This can prevent complications, such as when an infection spreads to the urethra or adjacent tissue.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sore Vagina

Is a sore vagina after sex normal?

Mild irritation after intense sexual intercourse can occur but should subside quickly. Recurring pain or tears after intercourse indicate dryness or another cause, e.g., too vigorous penetration, and should be taken seriously.

How can you recognize a sore vagina or tears in the vagina?

A sore vagina usually manifests as a combination of burning, stinging, itching, and sensitivity to pain. Many women describe the feeling as "chafed," "rough," or "scratched up." Typical is increased sensitivity to touch, when sitting, or when walking. Small tears—so-called vaginal fissures—often occur at the vaginal entrance, on the labia, or in the area of the clitoris. If not treated early, the tissue becomes inflamed and the symptoms worsen.

Why do tears often occur after sex?

Sexual activity means intense mechanical stress for the vaginal mucosa. If the mucosa is not sufficiently slippery, friction occurs, causing fine injuries. This happens especially often during phases of hormonal dryness such as menopause, but also with birth control pill use or emotional stress. The fissures usually only become noticeable after intercourse as burning or unpleasant stinging and become more painful in the following hours.

How long does it take for a vaginal fissure to heal?

Small tears often heal within a few days, provided the intimate area is spared. Persistent dryness, repeated strain, or untreated infections can significantly delay healing.

How to properly treat a sore vagina?

The therapy depends on the cause and severity of the symptoms. Basically, an irritated vagina needs rest, moisture, and restoration of the natural protective layer. Gentle intimate hygiene, pH-neutral care, breathable underwear, and abstaining from sexual intercourse are essential until the tissue has fully healed. In cases of hormonally induced dryness, the moisture retention of the mucous membrane should also be strengthened. This is where medically supported therapy begins.

For which complaints is CANNEFF® VAG SUP particularly suitable?

The suppositories are used in a variety of vaginal stress situations, including vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, irritation after infections, atrophic mucosa, injuries after medical procedures, and fissures after intense mechanical stress. They support healing after vaginal surgeries, conizations, or radiation therapy and contribute to restoring the natural moisture film.

Does CBD help locally with sore mucous membranes?

In the form of medical vaginal suppositories like CANNEFF® VAG SUP, these can contribute to relief through their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and support mucosal regeneration. A sore vagina or tears in the vagina are unpleasant but in most cases well treatable. It is crucial to identify the triggering factors, relieve the mucosa, and care for it specifically. In addition to general measures such as rest, mild intimate hygiene, and suitable clothing, medical products play an important role. CANNEFF® VAG SUP vaginal suppositories with CBD and hyaluronic acid offer a way to relieve pain, improve mucosal moisture, and accelerate healing. However, in cases of unclear, persistent, or severe complaints, gynecological examination is essential to safely exclude infections and other treatable causes.

How is CANNEFF® VAG SUP applied correctly?

The dosage depends on the symptoms. It ranges from short-term use before sexual intercourse to treatments over several weeks in cases of pronounced dryness or mucosal dystrophy. Typically, application is in the evening to give the active ingredients sufficient time for absorption. For complaints related to infections, hormonal fluctuations, or postoperative changes, regular use over several weeks may be advisable to fully regenerate the mucosa.

Sources

Agrawal, S., LaPier, Z., Nagpal, S., Oot, A., Friedman, S., Hade, E. M., Nachtigall, L., Brucker, B. M., & Escobar, C. (2024). A randomized, pilot trial comparing vaginal hyaluronic acid to vaginal estrogen for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 31(9), 750–755. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000002390

González-Isaza, P., Sánchez-Prieto, M., & Sánchez-Borrego, R. (2023). Chronic vulvar fissure: approach with cross-linked hyaluronic acid. International urogynecology journal, 34(7), 1495–1499. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-022-05401-4

Edwards L. (2004). Vulvar fissures: causes and therapy. Dermatologic therapy, 17(1), 111–116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04011.x