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• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Treating cracks that have arisen during childbirth
• Method 2 of 4: Reduce the pain
• Method 3 of 4: Treat small cracks
• Method 4 of 4: Medical treatment of cracks

Vaginal tears can cause you a lot of discomfort and pain. They can occur during sexual activity, through tampons, as a result of an underlying condition, or during childbirth. Most vaginal tears are small and will heal on their own, but tears that occur during childbirth usually need to be stitched. Most vaginal tears will heal on their own as long as you keep the skin clean, don't irritate it, and avoid sex for a while. For deeper cracks, it is better to go to the doctor to have them stitched if necessary.

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Method 1 of 4: Treating cracks that have arisen during childbirth

1. Determine the type of crack you have. There are four types of tears you can get when you give birth. First-degree cracks are thin cracks in the skin. Second degree cracks affect the skin and muscles. These are the least serious types of cracks.
   • Third degree tears run through the muscles of the perineum towards the anus. Fourth-degree tears run from the anus to the rectum.
2. Let it adhere. Any vaginal tear occurring during childbirth must be stitched. The doctor places small stitches at a first and second degree tear. Third and fourth degree tears require multiple types of stitches. Every layer of skin and every muscle must be sutured separately.
   • For third and fourth degree tears, the doctor will mainly focus on suturing the muscles that support the anus together.
3. Keep the skin clean. It doesn't matter how big the crack is, you need to keep the area clean. This can help reduce bacteria and prevent infection. Wash your vaginal and perineal area several times a day.
   • Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel. Make sure to dry from front to back so you don't get bacteria from your anus into your vagina.
4. Change the bandage or your sanitary napkin regularly. Change your pad or pad every three to five hours. This helps keep the wound clean and reduces the risk of bacteria.
5. Prevent constipation to relieve pressure on the area. Constipation can make pain or injury worse. To help prevent this, take something that makes the stool softer. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water and eat a fiber-rich food.
6. Do Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. An easy way is to squeeze the muscles you use when you urinate. Tense the muscles for up to 5 minutes before releasing them. Repeat this 10 times during the day.

Method 2 of 4: Reduce the pain

1. Try a cold compress. Cold compresses can help reduce the pain and inflammation around the affected area. Do not use ice or apply the cold compress directly to your skin. Instead, wrap it in a cloth to protect your skin from over-cooling. Let it sit on your skin for about 10 minutes.
   • Place it on your perineal area every few hours.
2. Use painkillers that you can buy at the drugstore. If the crack is causing you pain, try using a regular pain reliever. Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Advil, and Aleve can help reduce pain and discomfort.
   • Make sure to read the label and to use the medication only as directed.
3. Take a break every hour. You should take it easy if you have a vaginal tear, especially after giving birth. If you have deeper tears, only stand or sit for a short time, as this puts pressure on the vaginal area.
   • You should lie down for 20 to 40 minutes every hour. Do this two to four days after giving birth.
4. Take a sitz bath up to 3 times a day. A sitz bath is a bath in which you sit, so that only your buttocks and therefore also the vaginal area are under water. It can help heal vaginal cracks as well as relieve pain. Sit in warm water for 10 minutes. Then pat yourself dry with a clean towel.
5. Use a soothing oil. You can try using some natural healing oil on the outer skin of your vagina. Or try a little bit of aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, or a neutral (non-antibacterial) emollient oil. Do not use antibacterial creams on your vagina as this will disrupt the balance of the natural good bacteria.
6. Take an oatmeal bath. Vaginal cracks can be itchy as they heal. Cracks can also make that area sensitive or dry. If you experience this, you can take an oatmeal bath. Fill a bath with warm water and oatmeal. Relax in the bath water while the oatmeal helps relieve itching and inflammation.

Method 3 of 4: Treat small cracks

1. Notice if you are in pain. Vaginal tears cause a mild pain in your groin area. You may feel pain when you sit down, when you walk, or wear tight-fitting clothing. Small tears can also cause minor bleeding. They can also itch or make you feel uncomfortable.
2. Try to determine how deep the crack is. How serious the crack is determines how you deal with it. If you're not sure how bad it is, take a mirror and look at it. If the crack is somewhere you can't see it, you might want to see a doctor.
3. Just leave very small cracks alone. Tiny cracks will heal on their own without any treatment. Very small cracks look like a cut or an abrasion. These cracks may bleed a little at first and they may sting a little, be uncomfortable and itchy. Such small tears are usually caused by something you know you've done, such as having sex or inserting a tampon.
4. Wash your vagina twice a day. If you have a vaginal tear or cut, wash the area with a mild soap every day. Make sure to wash gently and don't be rough. Use a hypoallergenic soap that is free of irritants. Do not try to wash away the natural protective covering on your vagina, as it will help protect and heal the vagina.
   • Do not wash yourself in the vaginal opening. Wash the external parts only.
   • Avoid douching while you have a vaginal tear. This can change the natural pH that keeps your skin healthy.
5. Wear clean, comfortable underwear. Breathable cotton underwear is the best choice for vaginal tears. Loose but comfortable underwear will ease discomfort while your tears heal.
6. Avoid sex. If you have a vaginal tear, it is better not to be sexually active for a while, alone or with your partner. Any kind of sexual activity that leads to contact with the crack can cause the crack to open again. Contact with any part of the body can introduce bacteria into the crack.
   • After your vaginal tear has healed, be careful the first few times you have sex to make sure the sensitive skin doesn't tear again.
7. Avoid placing tampons or other objects on or in the vagina. While the tear heals, avoid irritating the vagina from using objects on or inside the vagina. Do not use tampons, condoms, diaphragms, or other vaginal objects. Also avoid using irritating lubricants or lotions.
   • Wear loose cotton underwear that is not tight and presses against your vagina.
8. If the crack worsens, see a doctor. If the pain gets worse, get the crack checked by a doctor. Also, if you notice bleeding, foul odor or discharge, fever or dizziness, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Method 4 of 4: Medical treatment of cracks

1. Go to the doctor. If you have a vaginal tear that hurts a lot, is bigger than a small cut or scrape, or doesn't want to heal, see a doctor. He will do an examination to assess the damage to your vagina. The doctor will tell you how best to treat this.
   • The doctor will also check if you may have an underlying condition leading to vaginal tearing.
2. Use the prescribed medications. If you have a vaginal tear, your doctor can prescribe medication to help heal an infection. These can be pills, or a cream or gel.
3. Increase your estrogen. Low estrogen levels can lead to atrophic vaginitis, which can cause a dry vagina that can easily rupture. Other conditions, such as cancer or hormonal imbalances, can also lead to low estrogen levels. The doctor can prescribe an estrogen cream. He / she may also suggest making some changes to your diet to increase the estrogen you get in your diet.
   • Never try to increase your estrogen levels without consulting a doctor. This can disrupt your body's chemical balance.
4. Change your eating habits. Some women develop vaginal tears because they are deficient in certain nutrients. This deficiency causes breakdown of the skin and membranes in the vagina. Talk to your doctor about your diet if you often have vaginal tears that are difficult to heal.A nutritionist can also help you determine which nutrients you are missing and how to safely increase them.
   • Zinc deficiency is a common cause of vaginal tearing. Other deficiencies can include: vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and vitamin C.
5. Go to the doctor immediately for deeper cracks. Some cracks can be deep or serious. They may bleed a lot, secrete pus, smell unpleasant, affect the skin around them, or cause severe pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately for treatment. These types of wounds often occur as a result of childbirth, or an injury or accident during sex.
   • These are serious wounds and should be treated as such.
6. Let it adhere. Deeper vaginal tears are usually stitched. Bonding is used for cracks that are longer than 2.5 centimeters. The doctor will stitch the skin together. This can be done in a clinic or in a hospital. In general, these types of wounds heal well. As you heal, keep the stitched wound clean and dry. Wear loose-fitting clothes.
   • Do not engage in activities that cause the stitches to loosen or the wound to open.