AASECT certified sex therapist specializing in sexual anxiety and trauma
Dr. Jordan Soper
Last updated 10/31/2023
Question asked by
Question
When I get aroused and don't do anything about it, I sometimes feel discomfort. The pain goes away after a while, but I don't understand what's happening.
Recently, I learned about a new term that I've never heard of called "blue vulva."
It kind of sounds like blue balls except it happens to women. What is blue vulva?
Can women get blue balls too? Even though women have vaginas, the answer is yes. For women, it’s called blue vulva, or sometimes referred to as pink pelvis.
The medical term for this condition is epididymal hypertension. Just like men, they have the experience of being aroused for an extended period of time, but not getting any physical relief.
If you’re unaware of the symptoms, the treatment, or what it feels like, here’s everything you should know.
What Is Blue Vulva?
Blue vulva is a female version of blue balls that comes along with prolonged sexual arousal without an orgasm for relief.
Similar to blue balls, the condition causes discomfort to women when they experience it.
Even though the male and female genitalia are quite different, the physiological actions that take place during arousal are quite similar.
When a male becomes aroused, his body sends extra blood flow to the testicles and penis to prepare for sex and ejaculation. This extra blood flow causes the testicles to swell and an erection.
When a female becomes aroused, the body also sends extra blood flow to the genitals, specifically, the labia and clitoris. For reference, the vulva is made up of the labia majora and minora and clitoris.
When you reach an orgasm, the blood that engorges the vulva flows back out to other parts of the body because blood vessels relax. However, if orgasm never occurs, the vulva can retail this extra blood flow for longer, which causes some discomfort.
As scary as blue vulva can sound, the symptoms are not nearly as alarming as the name. You won't see the vulva actually turn a scary shade of blue.
Women who are experiencing this condition may have the following symptoms:
Discomfort or slight pain in the vulvar area
A feeling of heaviness in the genitals
General achiness
A very slight purple or blue tint or redness
What Does Blue Vulva Feel Like?
Blue vulva feels more like an uncomfortable sensation than severe pain. Women dealing with this condition will feel like their genitals are achy and possibly heavy.
These sensations are related to the fact that the area is getting a lot more blood flow than usual.
No major physiological harm is taking place. Blood flow to the genitals is normalizes when orgasm occurs or sexual arousal decreases, which can take time.
How Long Does Blue Vulva Last?
Blue vulva should only be a short-lived problem, usually resolving itself as soon as orgasm is achieved or sexual arousal subsides.
The exact time frame varies due to the variances of physiological responses among different individuals. However, the uncomfortable sensation should dissipate as arousal goes away.
Blue Vulva Treatment
Blue vulva is not a serious condition, even though the symptoms can be uncomfortable. There are a few things you can do to take some pressure off and negate any discomfort.
The easiest solution is to reach orgasm through masturbation. You might consider using a vibrator to assist you. As noted earlier, when you orgasm, blood flow to the genitals subside, which can help the vulva return to normal. Consider also using an arousal gel to help you reach orgasm as well.
Other potential ways to find relief include:
Distract your mind with thoughts about something other than sex
Apply a cold compress to the area
Take a cool shower or bath
Lie down horizontally, possibly take a nap
Do a bit of exercise to restabilize blood flow throughout your body
Takeaway
So, do women get blue balls? Yes, they experience something similar, except for them it’s referred to as blue vulva. The medical term for this condition is epididymal hypertension.
Blue vulva, much like blue balls, is not a serious condition but can be uncomfortable. You might experience aches and heaviness in your genitals.
The best route of treatment is to achieve climax on your own, take a cold shower, or use a cold compress to encourage blood flow to the vulva to subside.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Things You May Like
Warming Female Arousal Gel
Tingling and warming - the perfect duo for her pleasure
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Gurung P, Yetiskul E, Jialal I. Physiology, Male Reproductive System. [Updated 2022 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538429/. Accessed on Oct, 31, 2022.
Woodard TL, Diamond MP. Physiologic measures of sexual function in women: a review. Fertil Steril. 2009 Jul;92(1):19-34. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.04.041. Epub 2008 Nov 30. PMID: 19046582; PMCID: PMC2771367. Accessed on Oct, 31, 2022.
"Chapter 48 - Physiology and Pathophysiology of Female Sexual Function - ScienceDirect." Sciencedirect.com, 2022, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123865250000482. Accessed on Oct, 31, 2022.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
