Aunt Vadge: why has this cut appeared on my clit?

Hi Aunt Vadge,

I was washing my vagina and I noticed a cut in the left side of my clit. It only strings when I touch it but otherwise doesn’t bother me.

What causes cuts around the clitoris? Do yeast infections cause tears/sores or cuts?

Yours,
Worried
Age 27
California, USA

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Hello there, Gabyyy!

A cut near your clitoris can indeed be a bit of a worry, but it’s just as likely to heal up in a day or two, and never return. It can be perplexing – why did the cut on your clitoris appear and why now?

There are a few common reasons why one might end up with a cut on or around the clitoris:

1. Friction: This could be due to rough handling during sexual activity, masturbation, or even from your clothes rubbing against the area. The clitoral area is quite sensitive, with thin tissue that can be easily irritated or torn.
2. Shaving or grooming: If you’ve been doing some landscape maintenance down there, it’s possible to nick yourself with a razor or scissors, even if you didn’t notice at the time because the hair-bearing areas of the crotch aren’t very sensitive.
3. Skin conditions: Conditions like dermatitis can cause the skin around the vulva to be fragile, leading to tears or cuts quite easily.
4. Hormone changes: Low estrogen levels, which can happen with menopause, breastfeeding, or certain medications, can make the vulvar skin delicate and more prone to injury. However, you’re 27, so your hormone levels are not as likely to be the cause. And, if they were, you’d probably have different symptoms, like a dry vagina.
5. Accidents or trauma: It’s possible to sustain a cut from a slip of the hand or a poorly aimed move during intimacy, particularly if you have long fingernails or a sharp hangnail. It’s easy to scratch yourself without realising.
6. STI: have you been thoroughly checked for sexually transmitted infections recently?
7. Infections: Yeast infections or other vaginal infections can lead to itching, which can cause scratches or cuts if the skin is broken from too much scratching. You don’t mention any of these symptoms, so it seems less likely, but it has to be mentioned.

It’s good that it isn’t causing you too much pain, but we still need to make sure you take care of that delicate area:

• Keep it clean – just water is fine, no soaps or anything that could irritate it.
• Avoid touching or rubbing the area too much.
• Wear loose, cotton underwear to let the area breathe.
• Avoid any sexual activity that could irritate the area until it’s healed.
• If you want the skin to heal faster, try Aunt Vadge’s Delicate Cuts Balm – it’s soothing and made specifically for healing delicate cuts of the vulva.
• Check our tips for healing cuts and tears for more support.
• If you are getting recurrent cuts, first invest in the balm, get checked out by your GP, and if you’re still suffering or want natural treatments, book an online consultation with one of our vulvovaginal specialist naturopaths – they can help.

If it doesn’t improve, becomes more painful, looks red or swollen, or if you start to see signs of infection (like pus or a bad smell), it might be time to have it looked at by a healthcare provider. Infections in that area can get pretty gnarly if left untreated. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Take care, and be gentle!

Love,
Aunt Vadge