Vaginal Tearing

Sex

Engaging in vigorous sexual intercourse with a dry and inadequately lubricated vagina is perhaps the most frequently cause of vaginal tearing. Sometimes, the inappropriate use of sex toys can also harm the vagina and may lead to lacerations.

Obstetric Causes

Childbirth is a complex and critical process. Any mishandling in the process of labor can lead to vaginal tearing. Some risk factors include breech position of the baby, large sized or macrosomic baby, rapid progression of labor that a mother cannot control the passage of her baby or use of certain medications during the labor to expedite the delivery process.

Age Related Changes

Physiological aging produces some serious changes in the body of a female that may affect the anatomy, physiology and metabolism of her tissues. For example, menopause or other causes of hormonal imbalance can significantly aggravate the risk of vaginal tearing by decreasing estrogen levels, impairing blood circulation, thinning the skin, irritating or weakening the healing of old scars, etc.

Sports

Sports activities like jet skiing, water skiing can also put excessive pressure on the vagina, which increases the risk of vaginal tears.

Leave It Alone

If the tearing is only on the skin, i.e. superficial tearing, leave the tear alone for some time. The pain usually lasts for a day or two and the bleeding disappears within a few hours.

Avoid Sex

Try to avoid having intercourse for some weeks until the tear is completely healed.

Have a Rest

In lacerations, blood loss is usually accompanied that will cause dizziness and weakness. Make sure to get enough rest before recovery.

Have Some Medications

Pain-killers such as acetaminophen can be taken to alleviate the pain.

Try Warm Bath

Warm bath are fairly helpful in reducing the intensity of pain. Additionally, warm sitz bath also helps in improving the blood flow towards the pelvic region by dilating the blood vessels.

Apply Cold Compression

Application of ice, whether wrapped in a pad, cloth or towel, over the affected area also helps in providing a cooling effect.

See a Doctor

Seeking professional treatment becomes necessary if any of the following signs are accompanied with vaginal tearing:

• Heavy bleeding, if three pads are soaked in blood in the first 24 hours, consult doctor immediately

• Fainting

• Weakness

• High grade fever up to or more than 38 degree C or 100.4 degree F

• Pain in lower abdomen

• Disagreeable or foul odor from vagina along with vaginal discharge

Kegel Exercise

You can do this exercise by contacting, holding and then releasing the pelvic muscles. It can be easily performed in a manner as you are trying to consciously hold the urine. Regular kegel exercises and other pelvic training activities help in strengthening the pelvic muscles.

Good Nutrition

Maintaining healthy consumption of fibrous fruits and vegetables along with adequate amounts of water helps in improving the skin elasticity. An elastic skin is more resistant to tearing and rupture under pressure and stress.

Perineal Massage

After 34^th week of pregnancy, perineal massage should be regularly performed by applying a lubricating gel on the perineum and then gentle rubbing. This can be performed by either the pregnant female or her partner to strengthen the vaginal power to stretch for labor.

Slow Second Stage of Labor

Practice to push slowly. This will help in increasing the stretch ability of perineum and minimize the risk of tearing during the process of childbirth.