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Am I the only one or do the strange things that happen in a woman’s body make all of you question Mother Nature too? Nope, I am not talking about periods and all that PMSing. I am referring to inane changes like your vaginal skin turning dark for no rhyme or reason.
Well, there is a reason–lots of them actually. Here we present to you the five reasons why your vaginal is turning dark:
1. Hormonal changes
Ladies, various hormonal changes occur in our bodies at various stages of life. These fluctuations may also impact your lady bits and the area around it. During puberty, for instance, a sudden increase in oestrogen in the body can darken the vagina as per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. In fact, in your late 30s and 40s, low oestrogen as you inch towards menopause has the same effect.
Also, read: Blame your hormones! These 6 culprits can give you hormonal acne
2. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Speaking of hormonal changes, how can we forget PCOS? This condition, in which small cysts develop in the ovaries, can lead to a hormonal frenzy inside the body. The result? Excess androgen (male) hormone which affects the oestrogen levels and makes your intimate area darker.
3. Certain infections
“Many times, the area around the vulva can get infected by fungus, which may leave dark patches,” says Dr Nirupama Parwanda, dermatologist and founder of Zolie Skin Clinic in New Delhi.
Also, read: Suspect vaginal yeast infection? These 5 home remedies will help you a great deal
4. Insulin resistance
Dr Parwanda also explains that when some people gain a lot of weight, they might experience a form of insulin resistance, which may result in a condition called as acanthosis nigricans. In this, the area around the vulva, especially the inner thigh, darkens.
5. Physical factors
Serious hormonal issues aside, many physical factors such as: lack of ventilation in the well-covered confines of your precious lady parts; all the trapped bacteria from the sweating down there; and finally, the friction between your thighs can also contribute to your intimate area getting darker.
When should you seek professional help?
First off, it is natural for your vaginal skin to be darker than the rest of your body. However, if the colour change is too extreme and is also accompanied with symptoms like vaginal redness, itching, bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse, and bumps in the intimate area–then it’s time to visit your gynaecologist for help.
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