(photo/pexels)
The color of the skin in a woman's vital area, the vagina, is usually not the same as the rest of the body. The area looks darker.
If the vaginal area is darker than the rest of the body, then there is no need to worry because it is normal. However, there are times when a woman may need to speak to an expert to make sure everything is okay. The main cause of concern is asymmetric darkening or darkening of only one area.
Also, if you have sores that don't heal or dark areas that grow or bleed, then that's something to worry about. The obstetrician should examine the area. Your doctor can determine if it's just your natural skin tone, or if it may require further testing.
"The color of the vulva and vagina is very different from the rest of a woman's body," said David M Kimble, a board-certified urogynecologist at The Kimble Center.
Kimble explained that the amount of melanin and chromophore is more in the vulva, especially the outer edge of the labia minora. The presence of melanin is what creates a darker color for the vaginal area. This is because the vagina does not have the same conditions, for example as the face.
According to Kimble, the reduced cell turnover rate allows the pigmentation to persist. Does pregnancy affect the color of the vaginal area? Sometimes, vaginal color can become more saturated when a woman is pregnant. Pregnancy has a direct impact on vulvar skin pigmentation.
As an analogy, melasma is most common in pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations, particularly high levels of estrogen. Melasma is thought to only affect the facial skin, but a similar reaction can occur in the vulva.
"Pregnancy can darken the skin in that area as well as other areas of the body due to pregnancy hormones," says OB-GYN (obstetrics and gynecology), Cynthia Flynn.
In addition, Flynn explains the vaginal area also has more blood flow during pregnancy and may be darker. Just as pregnancy can cause an influx of hormones and increased blood flow, postpartum is the exact opposite. As hormone levels drop and you bleed for about six weeks postpartum, the vaginal area has likely changed color again.
Due to low estrogen levels, hyperpigmentation can improve over time. However, if you're still seeing darker colors, then there's a reason for that too. Trauma that occurs with childbirth can result in injury to the labia which causes changes in pigmentation during the healing process.
There are places where you can get a treatment called vaginal whitening, but the real question is is it safe? "I definitely wouldn't recommend vaginal whitening," says Flynn.
Flynn explains the skin can be burned due to chemicals. In addition, the process can also throw off the pH and cause various vaginal infections. “Vaginal bleaching can lead to chronic irritation and inflammation,” she explains.