A tingling, buzzing, or vibrating feeling in your vagina is usually nothing to worry about. But if it’s persistent, it can be a symptom of an underlying health issue.
It could be related to vaginismus, restless genital syndrome, neurologic conditions, side effects from certain medications, or even how much caffeine you consume.
Causes
While it may seem a bit taboo to bring up the sensation of a throbbing down there with your healthcare professional, these sensations are more common than many people realize. The pulsating or buzzing feeling is most often a symptom of pelvic floor disorder, and can be caused by nerve entrapment, congestion, or muscle spasms.
As you might imagine, these feelings can be uncomfortable, especially if they occur during intimate moments or while using a tampon. This type of sensation is also a known side effect of some medications, particularly antidepressants and antipsychotics, which can cause a loss of control in the muscles surrounding the pelvis.
Most of the time, these sensations are fleeting and resolve on their own or after removing whatever is causing them to happen. Those who experience these symptoms as a side-effect of certain medicines are likely to get the best results by talking to their doctor about them, rather than trying to self-diagnose themselves online.
Occasionally, the pulsing or buzzing sensation can be a symptom of something more serious, such as cancer or genital herpes. Yeast infections or vulvodynia (which is the term for the labia and skin that form the outside genitalia) are also common causes of pain in this area, as are fibrocystic breast disease and anal cancer. Yeast or herpes infections can be treated with anti-fungal medication and the fibrocystic breast disease is often treated with hormones, such as progesterone.
Symptoms
It’s important to note that while feeling a pulsing or buzzing sensation in or near the vagina is strange, it’s usually not a serious cause for concern. It’s also not a common complaint and many women may never experience it at all. But if it is a new sensation or accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain during intercourse or while inserting tampons, or itching of the vulva, you should see your doctor.
One possibility is a condition called vulvodynia (vul-vo-din-ee-a). This is chronic pain or discomfort of the vulva, which can include the labia and the skin that covers them. It can be unprovoked or provoked by sexual activity, tampons, Pap tests, and certain medications. It can also be localized or affect only part of the vulva, such as the vestibule or clitoris.
Another possible cause is pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary tract infections, vaginitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. They can all lead to muscle spasms in the pelvis, which can feel like a pulsing or buzzing in or near the vagina.
Finally, pregnancy can cause a throbbing sensation in the vulva because of an increase in blood flow to the area. Some women, especially those who delivered vaginally, might describe this as a tingling sensation, while others might notice a throbbing or pulsing sensation.
Treatment
While a tingling or buzzing sensation in the vagina can be disturbing, it is not necessarily indicative of any serious underlying health condition. However, it is a good idea to see a doctor if the pulsing spasms are painful or if they occur often or are accompanied by other symptoms.
A variety of treatments are available for vulvar pain and other conditions that can cause a vibrating sensation, including Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may also be prescribed. Medications such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants can help reduce nerve pain. Often, it can take some time to find the treatment that works best for each patient.
In some cases, a physician may conduct a cotton swab test to map out areas of the vulva where the patient experiences pain. The swab is touched at various locations to assess the intensity of the pain and whether it is a tingling or a throbbing sensation.
In cases where the tingling is a symptom of restless genital syndrome or another neurological disorder, treatments such as electrical nerve stimulation and medication will be used. Psychological counseling is also available for women who suffer from vulvodynia, which can interfere with intimate relationships and affect quality of life.
Prevention
Women are often embarrassed to talk about this sensation and may not discuss it with others. As a result, it can be difficult for doctors to study the prevalence of this phenomenon. Nonetheless, many people experience this feeling in and around the pelvic floor muscles. It may come and go, and vary in intensity. It is not usually cause for concern unless it becomes more frequent or intense. A person should see a doctor if the sensations are painful or accompanied by other symptoms.
The pelvic floor is a layer of muscles that connects the pelvic bone to the base of the spine and supports several organs and structures, including the bladder, intestines, and uterus. It also supports the vulva, which extends from the rectum to the vagina.
Spasms of these muscles may feel like a pulsing, buzzing or tingling sensation in and around the vulva. The feelings can also occur in the rectal area or thighs. These sensations are caused by pressure or friction and should resolve on their own within a few hours.
Some things that can trigger these spasms include sitting for long periods of time, wearing tight clothes, drinking too much caffeine or stress, and exercising or working hard at the gym. Certain medications can also cause a person to feel these sensations, and it is important to check the patient’s medication list. A person should also see a doctor if she suspects her pain is due to an underlying medical condition.
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