You might often think that why is your vaginal area darker as compared to other places? For many women, darkening of the vaginal region is a typical occurrence. However, it is the lack of proper knowledge which makes them panic when they observe it. Women's sexual health has traditionally been kept under wraps due to this cloak of secrecy. And the darkening of this region is an important part of a woman's overall health and well-being.

The reasons for vaginal areas darkening are as follows : 

Hormonal Factors : 

Yes, you heard it right. Hormonal factors play a very vital role in the darkening of the vaginal area. As per experts during puberty, there might be a sudden rise in estrogen levels which might lead to the darkening of intimate areas like the vagina. In the 30-40s, as you get closer to menopause, the decreased estrogen levels may have the same impact.

Friction: 

One of the most common reasons is friction. It is generally caused due to wearing body-hugging clothes or maybe due to lack of proper ventilation in the area. It can also happen due to the result of day-to-day activities like walking, exercise, etc. Besides, rubbing the area too much can also lead to darkening of the skin.

Age:

Your vaginal tissue changes with age, not just in terms of flexibility and texture, but also in terms of color. Other bodily regions, in addition to the vaginal area, might darken with age. It might not always be the case, but this factor should not be ignored.

Vaginal Infections:

The vaginal area of the body is the most delicate, and women are susceptible to vaginal infections from time to time. Certain disorders might influence the region around the vulva, causing dark patches to appear.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects a large number of women nowadays (PCOS). It's a disease in which tiny cysts form in the ovaries, causing hormones to become messed up within your body. PCOS causes an overabundance of male hormones (androgen) in the body, which can cause the darkening of the private regions.

Insulin Resistance:

Some experts believe that when some people gain weight, they might experience a form of insulin resistance which might result in a condition known as acanthosis nigricans.In this, the area around the vulva, especially the inner thigh, darkens.

When to Seek Professional Help?

To begin with, your vaginal skin is naturally darker than the rest of your body. If the color shift is too drastic and is accompanied by symptoms such as vaginal redness, itching, bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse, and lumps in the intimate region, it's time to get treatment from your gynecologist.

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