Vaginal Hematoma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribeEverything You Need to Know About Vaginal Hematomas

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Donna Christiano — Updated on April 24, 2018

Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook

What is a vaginal hematoma?

A vaginal hematoma is a collection of blood that pools in the soft tissues of the vagina or vulva, which is the outer part of the vagina. It happens when nearby blood vessels break, usually due to an injury. Blood from these broken vessels can leak into surrounding tissues. You can think of it as a kind of deep bruise.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of a vaginal hematoma and what kind of treatments are available.

What are the symptoms?

In many cases, a small vaginal hematoma won’t cause any symptoms. Larger hematomas may cause:

Pain and swelling. You may be able to feel or see a mass covered by purple- or blue-colored skin, similar to a bruise.
Painful or difficult urination. If the mass puts pressure on your urethra or blocks your vaginal opening, you might have hard time urinating. This pressure can also make it painful.
Bulging tissue. Very large hematomas sometimes extend outside of the vagina.

What causes it?

Vaginal hematomas, like all hematomas, are usually the result of an injury. The vagina contains a lot of blood vessels, especially in comparison to other areas of the body.

Several things can injure the vagina, including:

falling
vigorous sexual intercourse
high-impact sports

This type of hematoma can also happen during vaginal childbirth, either due to pressure from pushing or injuries from medical instruments, including forceps. Having an episiotomy can also cause a vaginal hematoma. This refers to a surgical cut near the vaginal opening to make it easier for a baby to pass through it. Vaginal hematomas caused by childbirth may not show up until a day or two after giving birth.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose a vaginal hematoma, your doctor will start by doing a basic exam of your vulva and vagina to check for any visible signs of a hematoma. Depending on what they find during the exam, your doctor might also order an ultrasound or CT scan to see how big the hematoma is and whether it’s growing.

Vaginal hematomas can sometimes lead to dangerous bleeding, so it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor, even if the hematoma seems minor.

How is it treated?

There are several treatment options for vaginal hematomas, depending on how large they are and whether they’re causing symptoms.

A small hematoma, usually under 5 centimeters in diameter, is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. You can also apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling.

If you have a larger vaginal hematoma, your doctor may need to surgically drain it. To do this, they’ll start by numbing the area with a local anesthetic. Next, they’ll make a small incision in the hematoma and use a small tube to drain the pooled blood. Once the blood is gone, they’ll stitch up the area. You might also be given an antibiotic to prevent an infection.

Very large hematomas, or hematomas located deep in the vagina, may require heavier sedation and more extensive surgery.

What’s the outlook?

Vaginal hematomas are relatively rare. When they do happen, it’s usually the result of an injury or childbirth. The vagina is rich in blood vessels, so any kind of trauma in this area can cause a hematoma. While small ones often heal on their own, larger ones may need to be drained by your doctor. Regardless of the size, it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor to make sure you don’t have any internal bleeding.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Awoleke JO. (2017). Vulvovaginal infralevator haematomamimicking the second stage of labour [Abstract]. DOI:https://www.hindawi.com/journals/criog/2017/8062793/abs/
Mayo Clinic. (2017). Shock: First aid.https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-shock/basics/art-20056620
Postpartum hemorrhage. (2017).http://clinicalinnovations.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ACOG_Practice_Bulletin_No_183_Postpartum-Hemorrhage-2017.pdf
Puerperal genital haematomas. (n.d.).http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/149020804eedac35b186b36a7ac0d6e4/Puerperal-genital-haematomas-WCHN-PPG-22052013.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-149020804eedac35b186b36a7ac0d6e4-lNuWuA-
Roman AS, et al. (2017). Management of hematomasincurred as a result of obstetrical delivery.https://www.uptodate.com/contents/management-of-hematomas-incurred-as-a-result-of-obstetrical-delivery

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Donna Christiano — Updated on April 24, 2018

Tag » Why Is My Vagina Purple

Vaginal Hematoma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment

What is a vaginal hematoma?

What are the symptoms?

What causes it?

How is it diagnosed?

How is it treated?

What’s the outlook?

How we reviewed this article:

Types Of Vagina: Shapes, Sizes, Colors, And More

Is It A Problem If My Vagina Is Purple? - Go Ask Alice!

The Inner Part Of My Vagina Is Getting Darker, And It Wasn’

Should I Be Concerned About Discoloration (From Pink To Purple ...

Does Your Vagina Change Color During Pregnancy? - Romper

What Causes Discoloration Around The Vagina? - Zocdoc Answers

7 Ways Your Vagina Changes During Pregnancy - Parents

Do You Need To Worry About The Color Of Your Labia? - InStyle

The Lip Of My Vagina Is A Purple Color??????????

Why Is My Vagina Dark? Labia Color Meaning - Refinery29

What Cause Your Vagina Lips To Turn Blueish Purple - HealthTap

Is It Normal For My Vagina To Go From Pink To Purple?

Is My Vagina Normal? - Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials

Vaginal And Labia Changes During Pregnancy - What To Expect

Contact