There are a handful of different types of vaginal injury, or other injury that involves the vulva and perineum, particularly in young girls. Girls may have less coordination and participate in activities that are often quite different to teenagers and women.
These vaginal injuries do not include sex injuries, which can be many and varied, with more information found under vaginal fissures.
Treating vaginal injury, vulvar injury or perineal injury will depend on the severity of the injury, so please see your healthcare practitioner for a pelvic examination and advice.
The straddle injury
You know the one – hitting the bike bar is one common straddle injury. Hitting a hard surface causes damage and splitting and bruising to the labia and vulva.
Damage may be to the labia or other structures around, and may require stitches. Compresses, ice packs and pain relief are likely to be required.
Penetrative injury
These injuries occur from something penetrating the vagina, either shallow or deeply, like a sharp stick, fence post, or another pointed object. Hymenal injury can occur.
The depth of the damage will need to be established, and this is likely to be required under sedation in young girls. The doctor or surgeon will examine you, determining which structures have been torn, including the urethra. Oestrogen cream may be applied afterwards, since it helps to strengthen vaginal cells.
Non-penetrative injury
Non penetrative injuries could include fractures and other damage from accidents. Structural damage underneath the vulva will need to be examined, usually under some form of imaging like x-rays.
Multiple trauma injury
Multiple trauma includes any of the above in combination. You will be treated according to your injuries.
Urethral injury
A urethral injury only affects the urethra or urethral meatus, the part that extends to the outer of the body.
The urethra winds through other tissues, but has its own structures that can come apart or be injured, and because they are linked to urination, a required body function, urethral injuries need to be addressed promptly.
Insufflation injury
Damage from blowing air or other substances into the vagina is more common than you might think, and the problems arise when air bubbles get trapped in tissues, or the tissue is distended from other substances being fed into it with pressure.
Some women use this as a sexual practice. Don’t do it!
All vaginal, vulvar and perineal injuries need medical attention to at least rule out deeper injury that could impact on fertility, sexuality, and comfort. Cosmetic surgery, stitches, antibiotics, and other medications and treatments may be required.
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