You’ve heard of blue balls. But did you know that there’s a related term for the ladies? Yep! It’s Blue Vulva. It also goes by other names: blue uterus and pink pelvis.
Today, we’re going to take a quick look at how it happens, what you can do about it, and other interesting or useful tidbits.
WHAT IS BLUE VULVA
For guys, the medical term is epididymal hypertension (EH). “Vagina owners can experience this when blood flow to the genitals increases with sexual arousal,” says Shelby Sells, a sex, love, and life coach. And what’s even more interesting is that there’s an all-encompassing term for this blood flow – vasocongestion.
“The clitoris and the penis are homologous, meaning they are parallel structures in biologically male and female bodies,” SKYN Sex & Intimacy expert, certified sex coach, sexologist Gigi Engle tells Health. “Both the penis and the clitoris contain erectile tissue that swells with blood when aroused.”
The area doesn’t actually turn blue-blue, but it can take on a blue-ish color – hence the name.
WHAT DOES BLUE VULVA FEEL LIKE?
Guys like to pain blue balls as an excruciating pain (mostly to pressure partners into getting an orgasm). And while there can be an extreme amount of discomfort, in general, it’s not that horrific. For women, it’s described as a “heavy” feeling around the clit and vulva.
This mild discomfort usually passes in a few minutes after the brain tells the body that sex is over. Blood vessels open and blood flow goes back to normal.
INTERESTING FACT: Women over 40 can sometimes have a harder time reaching orgasm and therefore have a higher chance of experiencing blue vulva.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
Let’s start with something obvious, but for some reason needs to be said for both sides (no one owes anyone an orgasm). To give one because you want to is a different story. So, if you find yourself having heavy-genital-issues, you can…
- Masturbate until you reach orgasm
- Try sex toys if you need a bit of extra help
- Rest and allow the sensation to pass
- Put a cold compress on the area to relieve discomfort
- Take a cool/cold shower
Also, it’s worth noting that orgasms don’t need to be the goal of every sexual encounter. Don’t feel frustrated if you can’t reach the finish line.
Blue Vulva Conclusion
With some sexual topics being more on the complicated side, it’s nice to have something that isn’t like maneuvering a labyrinth. But (and we always want to be extra careful in this blog) if you have genital discomfort when you’re NOT aroused, that could be something else entirely. It’s best if you ask a healthcare professional – especially if it’s painful.
