Wear and Tear During Intercourse: How do you know if you have vaginal tearing?

Have you ever had uncomfortable or even painful sex? This experience is not uncommon for women, especially when you’ve just had sex without the proper amount of foreplay or if it went on a bit too long. 


A little bit of soreness right after can be expected, but if the discomfort continues, you may be experiencing micro-tears or cuts inside the vagina. 


How do you know if you have vaginal tearing?


Vaginal tearing, which usually occurs during intercourse, ultimately boils down to a lack of proper lubrication. Lubrication is crucial to having enjoyable vaginal intercourse and is typically achieved through plenty of foreplay and connection leading up to sex. Without that, or if you’ve had particularly rough sex, your vagina may experience very small tears or cuts due to the friction pulling on the skin. 


Pain after sex can be attributed to many causes - if you’re worried, be sure to get checked for STIs by your doctor. If the pain is immediate after sex, however, it is likely due to tears. Immediate discomfort or pain, swollen skin, and soreness afterward could mean vaginal tearing. 


How bad is it? 


Of course, it depends, but it really is fairly common. If you experience bleeding or severe pain, you should seek medical advice. But for standard “wear and tear” there will probably be no blood or visible wounds, and if you take proper care, no lasting damage. 


What do I do if I experience vaginal tearing?


There are a number of things you can do to help yourself feel better down there if you fear you’ve experienced vaginal tearing.

  • Wash your vulva gently yet thoroughly - this will prevent any chance of infection and help you heal more easily. 
  • Avoid penetration for a few days - whether that be with a tampon, menstrual cup, sex toy, or penis, laying off for a few days after experiencing pain will give yourself time to heal, preventing further pain or other issues. 
  • Wear loose cotton underwear - to allow the area to “breathe” and prevent any rubbing or uncomfortable pressure. 
  • Hydrate your vagina - with coconut oil, if you’re able, which is a tried and true remedy. It is gentle, vagina-safe, and can help prevent further dryness and discomfort in the vaginal tube. 
  • Use over-the-counter pain medicine - if need be. 

Overall, your vagina is tougher than you think! Because of the design of the vagina, the muscles of the vagina are quite strong and have plenty of blood flow, so healing happens fast. As always, keep an eye on it, and see a doctor if you’re unsure, but generally speaking, you'll be back in fighting condition in no time. 


Can I prevent this from happening to me?


Sure! Since this issue typically boils down to lack of lubrication, there are a few things you can do to try to reduce your chances of experiencing vaginal tearing. 


You can try: 

  • Taking it slow when you have intercourse - make sure you are properly turned on and lubricated before having sex. 
  • Speaking to your doctor if you experience this often - if your vaginal walls are thinning for whatever reason, this might put you at risk for micro-tears, so an estrogen-based solution might be appropriate for you. 
  • Moisturizing your intimate area preemptively - this can be done a few times a week, to prevent regular dryness and thus reducing the risk of tearing later on. 

When taking into account your self-care routine to prevent or treat this discomfort, use REJUVENATE Intimate Revitalizing Cream to ensure your vulva and pubic area is hydrated and protected. 

1 comment

Thank You so very much,these answered questions are a real blessing…..much appreciated
Kyra from Anaheim

Kyra Olson June 06, 2023

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published