Vaginal Tears: Symptoms and Treatment

Vaginal tears are cuts that occur in vaginal tissues, both inside the body and externally. Symptoms include pain, bleeding, swelling, bruising, and problems sitting or walking. Tears range in severity from minor to deep and tearing may extend into the rectum. Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health Smaller vaginal tears are common and typically heal naturally within a week or so. More severe tears may need stitches or surgical repair....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 477 words · Bailey Newman

Vaginismus: Getting Vaginal Pain Validated and Seeking Treatment

Vaginismusis when vaginal muscles tighten involuntarily, causing painful or difficult vaginal penetration. It can affect your experience getting pelvic exams, menstruation, sex, and your mental health. It can be something youve always had or begin suddenly. Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health Tightness and Anatomy During vaginal penetration, you might feel sharp, burning pain or tight pressure. Some describe this as hitting a wall. It can occur at the entrance or deeper inside the vagina....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 318 words · Heather Lara

Vaginoplasty: Long-Term Care

Seventy-one percent of patients reported resolution of theirgender dysphoria. Physically, patients often report an increase in sexual functioning and fulfillment after a vaginoplasty. It’s important to discussprostate cancerscreening with your healthcare provider. Tassii / Getty Images Besides a vaginoplasty, many patients will choose to undergo additional surgeries, such asbreast augmentationandfacial feminization surgery. Lifestyle Adjustments After your vaginoplasty, you will need to engage in various lifestyle practices. Your surgeon will provide you with the dilators, as well as a precise dilation schedule to follow....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 129 words · Craig King

Valacyclovir vs. Acyclovir: Similarities & Differences

HSV-1 is commonly referred to as oral herpes. Oral herpes tends to affect your mouth or face and causes cold sores. It spreads through contact with saliva. BSIP / Getty Images HSV-2 causes genital herpes, infecting nearly 13% of the world’s population. HSV-2 causes sores on the skin following physical contact with the genitals of an infected person. Herpes sores typically last a week to 10 days. VZV is spread via physical contact; once infected, the virus lives dormant in the body forever....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 507 words · Tamara Anderson

Valgus vs. Varus Knee Alignments: What Are the Differences?

With varus knee alignment, the knees don’t come together even when your feet are side by side. Both conditions put increased stress on the knees, which can lead to or worsen arthritis. Valgus knee makes someone knock kneed. Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health In valgus misalignment, the lateral meniscus is specifically affected. Valgus alignment is not considered quite as destructive as varus alignment. Walking or climbing stairs can be a particular challenge for people with this condition....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 531 words · Jessica Harris

Varicella-Zoster Virus: Overlap Between Chickenpox and Shingles

Learn how to reduce transmission Varicella-zoster virus is an infection that causes multiple illnesses. It first causeschickenpox(also called varicella), an itchy rash. Then, it goes dormant in the nerves. Povorozniuk Liudmyla / Getty Images Varicella-zoster virus is a member of the herpesviridae family of viruses, making it a herpesvirus. It can infect children or adults. It is very contagious and can be dangerous in people with weakened immune systems. It also will explain how the varicella-zoster virus vaccine works....

April 18, 2025 · 5 min · 1008 words · Leah Allen

Varicose Vein Pain: What It Feels Like and How to Find Relief

Varicose veinsare enlarged, swollen veins visible beneath the skin’s surface. They’re most commonly located on the legs but can appear virtually anywhere on the body. This article discusses varicose vein pain, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention. Ekaterina Rekina / Getty Images Ekaterina Rekina / Getty Images What Causes Varicose Vein Pain? As part of the bodyscirculatory system, the veins in your legs carry blood to the heart. What Other Issues Affect Varicose Vein Pain?...

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 325 words · Anita Crawford

Varieties of Fungal and Yeast Infections

Many people associate yeast infections with thevagina, and that is one pop in of yeast infection. But there areother kinds of yeast infectionsthat can affect skin all over the body. Verywell / Emily Roberts You might cringe at the thought of having a fungal oryeast infection. Verywell / Emily Roberts These are some of the more common fungal and yeast infections that people experience. Tinea Versicolor Tinea versicoloris also known as pityriasis versicolor....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 515 words · Corey Reyes

Vasculitis: Treatment for Autoimmune Symptoms

Vasculitisis a medical condition involving swollen or inflamed blood vessels that can affect different parts of the body. When the blood vessels become inflamed, it inhibitsblood flowand can lead to complications, including organ damage. Learn about vasculitis, its causes and risk factors, types, treatment options, and more. FG Trade Latin / Getty Images This can lead toinflammationin various organs and regions of the body, sometimes in the entire body. Some types of vasculitis are more common among women, while other types are more common among men....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 318 words · David Wilson

Vasectomy: How to Prepare

Avasectomyis a safe and relatively easy way for men to prevent pregnancy. Its often done in under an hour as an outpatient procedure. Most men are back at work within days of a vasectomy. kupicoo / Getty Images Find out what you’re gonna wanna know beforehand for the procedure and recovery. This is best done the night before the procedure. Keep the following advice in mind as you prepare. These medications are usually blood thinners and other medications that could increase the risk of bleeding during your vasectomy....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 195 words · Timothy Black

Vasopressors: What Are They Used For?

Vasopressors are medications that can increase blood pressure in emergency situations. Richard Bailey / Getty Images When Are Vasopressors Used? Call 911 if you or a loved one experience these symptoms to be safe. Richard Bailey / Getty Images How Do Vasopressors Work? These are calledendogenouscatecholamines(hormones made in the body that transmit chemical messages). Other vasopressors, like phenylephrine, are exogenous catecholaminesthey’re not made in the body. Healthcare providers give these medicines in healthcare controls and will closely monitor you if you receive them....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 261 words · Joy Lopez

Vastus Lateralis Muscle

Thevastus lateralisis a muscle located on the lateral, or outside, part of your thigh. The muscle is one of the four quadriceps muscles and is the largest muscle of that group. It is also active in maintaining thigh and kneecap position while walking and running. Emiliozv / Getty Images It is located on the lateral or outside part of the thigh. Most muscles are attached to bone. These points of attachment are called the origin and insertion points....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 382 words · James Simpson

Vectra DA Blood Test for Rheumatoid Arthritis

What Does the Vectra Test Measure? Abiomarkeris a molecule in the body that can be objectively measured and evaluated via a simple blood test. This test is particularly helpful if both the CRP and ESR are normal. Kubra Cavus / Getty Images If the CRP is elevated, the test typically gives a high result. What blood test results show rheumatoid arthritis? It provides an accurate, reproducible score and an objective measure of RA disease activity that quantifies inflammatory status....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 421 words · Joseph Schmitt