Vaginal pain during your period is usually related to how your uterus, hormones, and pelvic tissues react during your cycle, but sometimes it can be a sign of an underlying condition that needs medical attention.

Common reasons it hurts

  • Referred menstrual cramp pain : Strong uterine cramps can ā€œradiateā€ downward so it feels like the pain is inside your vagina or deep in your pelvis, even though it starts in the uterus.
  • Hormonal changes and dryness: Estrogen dips around your period can make vaginal tissue more sensitive and dry, so tampons, pads rubbing, or even just walking can feel sore or burning.
  • Pelvic floor muscle tension: When you anticipate pain or have strong cramps, the muscles around your vagina can tighten and spasm, causing aching or sharp, ā€œgrippingā€ sensations.

Infections and skin irritation

  • Yeast infection or BV: Itching, burning, and pain with a thick discharge (yeast) or fishy odor and irritation (bacterial vaginosis) can feel worse when youā€™re on your period.
  • Vulvodynia or vulvar irritation: Some people have chronic vulvar pain that flares with pads, scented products, or blood contact, causing burning or raw, sandpaper-like soreness.
  • STIs or PID: Infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis can cause pelvic and vaginal pain, discharge, and pain with sex or tampon use, which may be more noticeable during your period.

When it can be something deeper

  • Endometriosis or adenomyosis: Tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside or deep in the uterine wall can cause severe cramping, deep pelvic/vaginal pain, and pain with bowel movements or sex during your period.
  • Cysts or other pelvic issues: Ovarian cysts, Bartholinā€™s gland cysts, or other pelvic conditions can create pressure or stabbing pain that seems like it is in or around the vagina when you have your period.

What you can do at home

  • Use heat: A heating pad or warm bath on your lower belly or pelvis can relax muscles and ease referred pain.
  • Switch products: Try unscented pads, a different size tampon, or a menstrual cup/disc if current products feel scratchy or painful.
  • Gentle stretching and relaxation: Light stretching, deep breathing, or pelvic floor relaxation exercises can reduce muscle spasm and cramp intensity.
  • Pain relievers: If safe for you, NSAIDs like ibuprofen started at the first sign of cramps often help with period-related pain (follow package directions or your clinicianā€™s advice).

When to call a doctor urgently

See a doctor or urgent care as soon as you can (or emergency care if it is severe) if you notice:

  • Sudden, very severe pain, pain on just one side, or pain that wakes you from sleep.
  • Fever, chills, foul-smelling discharge, or pain with urination or sex.
  • Bleeding much heavier than usual, dizziness, or feeling faint.
  • Pain that is getting worse each cycle, or pain so bad you canā€™t go to school, work, or do daily activities.

Because there are many possible causes, only a clinician who can examine you and review your history can tell you exactly why your vagina hurts on your period and give the right treatment.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.