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.
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:
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.
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 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:
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.
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"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.
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