Swollen vagina after sex: 8 reasons and what to do

Those first few moments after sex can feel amazing: You’re cuddling your partner, basking in a post-orgasm glow… but then, you look down. Your vagina is plump, red, and swollen. What’s going on?

Before you jump out of bed in a panic, know that a bit of vaginal swelling after sex is totally normal, says Mary Jacobson, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and Medical Affairs Officer of Hello Alpha. 'With arousal, basically, there’s increased blood flow to the area and fluid, so it causes swelling and then it should resolve over time,' she explains.

That said, it can be a sign something is up, specifically if the swelling doesn’t calm down within an hour or two. A swollen vagina after sex can also be a symptom of several infections, or an uncomfortable result of vaginal dryness, Dr. Jacobson explains. Luckily, pretty much every cause of vaginal swelling can be resolved by ditching an irritating product, taking an antibiotic, or even buying an over-the-counter medication.

Meet the experts: Mary Jacobson, MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn and Medical Affairs Officer of Hello Alpha. Alyssa Dweck, MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V.

Ahead, ob-gyns break down the most common reasons you’re noticing some puffiness down there—and what to do next.

1. You’re having an allergic reaction to a lube, toy, or condom.

Noticing some swelling that’s accompanied by a red rash after using a new condom brand, sex toy, or lube? Well, that product could be the culprit, says Dr. Jacobson. Some of the most common irritants are latex condoms, fragranced lubricants, or products with spermicide, adds Alyssa Dweck, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V.

If you’re experiencing swelling after sex on a semi-frequent basis, Dr. Jacobson recommends keeping track of when it’s happening, and whether there are any common factors—maybe a specific vibrator or common lube ingredient is causing it. If you can’t get to the bottom of things, your gynaecologist can help you out.

2. You’re having an allergic reaction to your partner’s semen.

This is a bit more rare than fragrance or latex allergies, notes Dr. Dweck. But it is possible to be allergic to the proteins in someone’s semen—this condition is called seminal plasma hypersensitivity, or SPH. 'The patient basically has an allergy reaction to components in someone’s semen, or protein components in the semen,' says Dr. Jacobson.

If this is the cause, you might experience other allergy symptoms, too—like a shortness of breath or even hives. But it can also be localised to the vaginal area, says Dr. Jacobson. In cases of SPH, your doctor (and condoms!) can help you out.

3. You have a yeast infection or BV.

An important note: Sex doesn’t cause yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis, says Dr. Jacobson. But 'if the patient has an infection that hasn’t been treated, they’re predisposed to inflammation, which leads to swelling,' she explains. This could be happening to you if you’re also noticing some light bleeding, general inflammation, or pain with urination afterwards, says Dr. Dweck. To further narrow things down, yeast infections typically come with a thick, white discharge, while BV is associated with discharge that’s gray, thin, and odorous.

Luckily, both of these infections have solutions. If you have a yeast infection, you can grab an OTC anti-fungal medication like Canesten, or contact your doctor for a prescribed medication. If you think BV is the cause, your doctor can prescribe you some antibiotics.

4. You have an untreated STI.

Some STIs—like chlamydia and trichomoniasis—can also cause swelling and inflammation after sex. If you have trichomoniasis, you might also notice a strong, fishy odor along with yellow or green discharge.

It’s important to remember that, with STIs, 'often the most common symptom is having no symptoms,' says Dr. Jacobson. Plus, these conditions are easy to treat with oral antibiotics, too! So, it’s always a good idea to get tested regularly—your vagina will thank you.

5. You have cellulitis.

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissues that may cause the skin to become swollen, red, and tender. Cellulitis can happen when normal bacteria that lives on your skin enters through a cut or abrasion, thereby causing a skin infection. So, while sex doesn't cause this swelling, getting frisky can certainly aggravate it—and even bring it to your attention, especially if swelling continues to increase (meaning the infection is spreading).

Other tell-tale signs of cellulitis? Fever, nausea, vomiting, and a warm-to-touch, tight, glossy, or stretched appearance of skin. Relief includes antibiotics (so call your doc!) and using a warm compress on the area, Dr. Dweck explains.

6. Your oestrogen levels are low.

A lot of the time, dryness and tearing—two major causes of vaginal swelling—can result from low 0estrogen levels, says Dr. Jacobson. 'Whenever estrogen levels are lower, the vaginal tissue tends to be thinner and drier and more prone to tears and trauma,' she explains. This could make you more susceptible to swelling while you’re going through menopause or at a certain point in your menstrual cycle.

If this sounds like the case for you, a good lube can go a long way when it comes to combatting dryness and preventing tears.

7. You’re breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can also have a big impact on your oestrogen levels, emphasises Dr. Jacobson. 'Prolactin or oxytocin that’s secreted with breast stimulation decreases oestrogen levels,' she explains. 'And low oestrogen levels decrease the flexibility or pliability of the vaginal tissue, and decrease lubrication.' Again, lube—or a visit to your gynaecologist—can help out here.

8. You had rough or un-lubricated sex.

Finally, it’s possible that there’s no medical, hormonal, or irritant-related cause at play. A lot of the time, vaginal tearing can occur when things get a little too rough during sex, says Dr. Dweck. If this is the case, you might also experience some light bleeding or bruising to the area, along with swelling and inflammation.

You can care for the area at home by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever or soaking your vagina in a warm bath for about 15 to 20 minutes, Dr. Dweck suggests. But if you’re still uncomfortable the next day, you should give your doctor a call.

In the future, you can avoid a repeat situation by adding more lubrication in your sexual experiences (even the rough ones!): This might mean investing a larger bottle of lube, and/or adding a little more foreplay to help you get wet. 'If the patient isn’t stimulated enough or aroused [before having sex], that could predispose them, too,' adds Dr. Jacobson.

So, what should I do if I notice vaginal swelling after sex?

Ultimately, if the swelling isn’t painful or accompanied by an inflamed rash (and, crucially, if it goes away within a few hours), it’s likely just a physiological response to arousal. So, try not to panic! But if the pain or discomfort continues, you should give your doc a call, says Dr. Jacobson. They can help screen you for infections, and also help you identify whether you’re more susceptible to swelling after using a certain product or at a certain time in your menstrual cycle.

Several of the above causes—like tearing, and certain infections—can also lead to postcoital bleeding. While a little spotting after sex isn’t necessarily a reason to panic, Dr. Jacobson stresses that it’s important to get immediate care if you notice 'significant bleeding,' which could be a sign that you were lacerated in a way that needs immediate repair.

And finally, try to cut down on the products that you use on or near your vagina. In particular, Dr. Jacobson recommends keeping scented lubes, body lotions, massage oils, or petroleum-based products like Vaseline away from the area.