Labial tear that won't heal after months: what to do

Author: Aunt Vadge
Qualified Naturopath | BHSc(N)

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Dear Aunt Vadge,

Three months ago my boyfriend fingered me, and the next day I noticed a tear in my labia minora. It didn’t hurt, but it didn’t seem to heal. A couple of weeks later we had sex even though I had the tear, and now it’s a bit worse.

It’s now been three months and it still hasn’t healed. I really don’t want to go to a doctor because I don’t want my parents to know, and I don’t know how to make it heal faster. Do you have any tips?

Sincerely,
Broken
Canada

Dear Broken,

I’m really glad you wrote. The most important thing I can tell you is that a labial tear that won’t heal after three months does need to be looked at by a doctor or nurse. That’s a long time for a small cut to stay open, and it’s the sort of thing that usually needs someone to examine it in person to sort out. It’s very unlikely to be anything frightening – but three months is too long to keep guessing at it.

I know the doctor part is the bit you’re dreading. Please know that clinicians see this kind of thing all the time, and they won’t judge you or tell you off. In lots of places, including Canada, young people can see a doctor, a sexual health clinic or a school nurse confidentially, and you don’t have to share any more detail than you’re comfortable with. If there’s an adult you trust, letting them help you get seen can make the whole thing much easier.

There are a few common reasons a little tear hangs around – ongoing irritation from soaps, wipes or scented products, a mild yeast issue, or a skin condition like lichen sclerosus that makes the skin fragile and slow to heal. A clinician can usually work out which it is quite quickly, and most of these are very treatable, especially when they’re caught early.

While you arrange to be seen, you can give it the best chance to settle. Wash with plain warm water only – no soap, wipes or scented products – wear loose cotton underwear, and give the area a proper rest from anything that keeps reopening it, including sex and fingering, so it isn’t being disturbed while it tries to heal.

Get seen sooner rather than later if the tear starts bleeding, spreading, becoming painful, weeping or smelly, or if you feel unwell – and please don’t leave it much longer either way, because a wound that’s been open this long really does deserve proper care.

You haven’t done anything wrong, and this is very fixable once someone has taken a look. Write back anytime and let me know how you get on.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge

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