5 Ways To Heal A Sore Vagina

We've all had sore muscles after an especially grueling workout. But sometimes this can be the case with an entirely different kind of sweat session. If you've ever experienced a sore vagina after sex, you are not alone. “Ladies, no need to be embarrassed about this issue — it happens to the best of us. It even happens to porn stars! I actually experienced an allergic reaction to a sex toy during my very first shoot, with my girl crush Bonnie Rotten!" says Payton Sin Claire, Award-Nominated Adult Performer.

“I like to have pretty intense sex and I'm not sure if my fans are aware, but during most of my scenes I use my kegel muscles to give my partners cock quite a work out," says Jillian Janson, Award-Nominated Adult Actress. "I push out as his penis enters and as he slowly slides out I squeeze my vagina walls tightly around the shaft until I reach the tip, then it goes in the same motion as it picks up speed to orgasm, which will usually get pretty hard and deep. This typically will make my vagina sore the next day feeling as if my as my cervix was bruised from receiving quite a pounding!" Janson says.

Janson says the aftermath of these steamy sessions "kind of feels like period cramps in a way, so the best way to make it feel better is to soak in a nice warm bath with Epsom salt. Then I usually let the slight pain go away naturally as I lay down to rest in bed with a heating pad or something, since walking around or doing stuff will irritate it. Any other kind of irritation such as razor bumps or too much grinding causing the skin to get dry I will usually cure it with a bath as well then afterwards I'll put skin cream on it to make it feel better and heal fast," Janson says.

Even if your muscles aren't getting quite the workout Janson's are, there's a lot you can do to ease that next-day soreness!

1. Warm Bath

"As far as having pain or discomfort from either rough sex or somebody too big for your own good, I like to relax in a warm bath with natural sea salt or lavender Epson salts. I'm not talking about some over-the-counter bubble bath; I'm talking natural holistic sea salt, because it will help relax your muscles," says Sin Claire.

Try: Dr. Teal's Lavender Epsom Salt, $10, Amazon

2. Kegels

Your vagina is made up of muscle, just like the rest of your body. "I suggest doing Kegel exercises in your downtime; it's like training before the big game. I also suggest doing them after sex," says Sin Claire. You always want to stretch before and after you work out — it's no different then when you have sex!

Vibe42 Kegel Exercise Device, $15, Amazon

3. Compresses

As far as your vagina being irritated, use cool or lukewarm water, not hot water! "Hot water does nothing but make it worse. I am a big fan of natural healing; I suggest a damp cloth with lukewarm water and vinegar, and use it as a compress for 15 minutes. Yes, you might smell like a salad for a bit, but it does give you temporary relief. If the compress doesn't work, get a topical treatment at your pharmacy," says Sin Claire.

4. Lube

Vaginal tears can also occur with rough sex or simply when there isn’t enough lubrication. "Be sure that you are fully lubricated before penetration or use additional store bought lube. Tears can sometimes take longer to heal or can get infected. If this happens, follow up with your gynecologist. Also, the skin of our vulva and vagina thins as we age," says Dr. Kat Van Kirk, Licensed Marriage & Sex Therapist, and Licensed Sex Expert at Adam & Eve.

Try: Shibari Premium Water-Based Lubricant, $10, Amazon

5. Injuries

“Typically a bruised cervix is treated with pelvic rest as long as there isn’t bleeding associated with it. If there is bleeding or the bruised feeling doesn’t subside after you have rested it for a few days to a week, you may need to follow up with a medical provider to rule out that there is nothing else going on," says Van Kirk.

General rough sex or heavy friction can cause vulvar swelling and bruising. You may also experience a rash as related to recently shaving and/or oral sex performed by someone who has stubble. "You may want to sit in cool water and apply ice on the affected area while giving the area rest for a couple of days. Some people use over the counter antihistamines to avoid itching or topical anesthetics to numb the area. But I have found that aloe vera and coconut oil can also help to soothe this sensitive skin," says Van Kirk.

"Most importantly, ladies — if it becomes a constant issue, or you are experiencing pain for a while, go to your doctor! This is your body and your life... respect it! You only get one!” says Sin Claire.

Images: Franca Gimenez/Flickr