Recurrent vaginal tears that won't heal: root causes

Author: Aunt Vadge
Qualified Naturopath | BHSc(N)

Last reviewed: July 7, 2026

Hi Aunt Vadge,

I’m 23, from the south-east of England, and have been sexually active with men for just over a year.

The problem is I’ve had recurring fissures in my posterior fourchette and labia, on and off, for 11 months.

They started a month into my current relationship at the end of February 2015. At the time I carried on having sex with my boyfriend daily, even though the pain became quite unbearable, because I thought it was just a side effect of thrush. But the thrush cleared up, I examined myself, and I noticed a tear on my labia minora.

I went to the GP in May and had a full sexual health screening, was given the all-clear, and told to take a break from sex. My boyfriend and I would have a couple of weeks off, but whenever we started again I always bled and it hurt.

Finally, over the summer, I had a 6-week break from sex, tampons and toys. I went back to my doctor in September, who said the wounds were almost healed and gave me a steroid cream to apply daily for two weeks.

About a week into the cream I finally had pain-free, no-bleeding sex again, and it was amazing. I had no problems for about a month. Then one night I wasn’t lubricated enough and got another fissure.

I was optimistic that another break plus the cream would clear it up, but we’re now in January and I still haven’t healed. I even waited another 5 weeks, but it was no good.

I went back to the doctor, who this time just said to use lots of lube and relax and I’ll be fine, and that she couldn’t even see any fissures, though I currently have two. I’m at breaking point, it gets me down every day, and I have no idea how to get back to being fully healed.

Lube really isn’t the problem. I just don’t understand how normal, gentle sex can damage me every time. Sorry for the long message – I really hope you can help.

Thanks,
Anon
England, age 23

Dear Anon,

Thanks for writing, and don’t apologise for the length – long letters are exactly what we want, because the detail is where the answer usually hides. What you’re describing sounds like more than simply being cut by sex. Skin that tears this easily and then won’t heal is trying to tell you something.

In our clinic, recurrent tears and fissures that won’t heal are exactly the kind of puzzle we work on – there’s almost always a driver underneath, whether that’s a skin condition, nutrition, or hormones.

The pattern you’ve got – repeated fissures in the posterior fourchette and labia that keep coming back – usually has an underlying cause, and finding it is the whole game. Your doctor has reached the edge of what she can offer, so the next useful step is someone who works at root causes, like a naturopath or an experienced integrative practitioner. Here’s where I’d look.

Is it the skin itself?

Skin that splits in the same spots and heals poorly is worth assessing for a skin condition rather than just ‘friction’. Lichen sclerosus and related lichenoid conditions can cause recurrent splits and fragile skin at the fourchette, and they’re easy to miss. It’s worth asking about specifically, because it’s easy to overlook, and if there’s any doubt a small biopsy can settle it. Topical steroids are a mainstay of treating it, though a steroid helping doesn’t prove it on its own, since they calm many vulval skin conditions.

What you’re eating

Your skin is built and repaired from what you eat, and when it’s short of the raw materials it can start to break down, heal slowly and split. This isn’t about weight or dieting at all – it’s simply whether your body is getting enough of the specific nutrients skin needs. Two of the big ones:

Protein – you build and repair flesh with it. Aim for a fist-sized serve at each meal; if you’re vegetarian or vegan, you have to mix your legumes and grains to get the full set of amino acids. Ridged, flaky or easily-torn nails can hint you’re running short.
Zinc – it’s central to wound healing, so being low shows up as slow-healing skin. White spots on the nails and a dulled sense of taste or smell can point to it.

Hormones

Vulval and vaginal tissue needs oestrogen to stay strong and heal well. Being low in oestrogen at 23 would be unusual, so it’s worth knowing about – your cycle is a good clue, so tell whoever you see whether your periods are regular.

Other clues to gather

Skin that misbehaves rarely does it in isolation, so note anything else going on: how your periods run, any other skin problems (acne, slow-healing cuts, easy bruising, mouth ulcers, gum trouble), your general diet, and whether a particular lube or product seems to irritate you, since an allergic-type reaction is easy to miss.

In the meantime

Giving the area a proper rest from the thing that keeps re-tearing it – sex – makes sense while you work this out, especially as when you do have sex, it’s daily. Find other ways to enjoy each other for now, and if you do have sex, go very gently, use plenty of lube, and stop at the first twinge and rest for a few days. A vulva-and-vagina-friendly cuts cream can support the tears as they heal.

Keep a simple record as you go: a timeline of symptoms, what you’ve tried, what helped, what didn’t, plus your medications (including birth control), any supplements, and a rough diet diary. It sounds tedious, but it’s gold for whoever helps you next, because our memories are hopeless.

If you’d like a hand working through the root-cause side of this, that’s exactly the sort of thing we do – you’re welcome to book an appointment. And if there’s any suggestion of a recurrent infection feeding into it, a comprehensive vaginal microbiome test can clarify what’s actually there.

You can absolutely get on top of this. Write back with how you go, or any questions.

For soothing and healing minor cuts and tears, here’s how to deal with cuts and tears from fingering and rough sex.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge

This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.