Illness & Symptoms

Genital Injury - Female

Is this your child's symptom?

  • Injuries to the female genital area (labia, vulva, vagina)

Types of Genital Injuries in Females

  • The genital area in girls is protected. Serious injuries are rare.
  • Minor injuries can cause lots of bleeding because of the rich blood supply.
  • Cut. Minor cuts or scrapes heal quickly.
  • Bruise and swelling of the labia are most often from a straddle injury. They heal quickly.
  • Hematoma (Blood Clot). Bleeding into the labia can form a pocket of blood (hematoma). A small clot will go away on its own. A large clot may need to be drained.
  • Vaginal Laceration (Serious). Any penetrating injury of the vagina needs to be examined. There may be a cut or tear of the vagina. The main symptom is pain and bleeding that won't stop.
  • Urethral Injury (Serious). This is not seen in females with external injuries. It can occur with pelvic fractures. The main symptoms are bloody urine and trouble passing urine.

Straddle Injuries

  • An injury to the groin from falling on an object that is being straddled.
  • Examples are playground equipment, crossbars of a bike, or a fence.
  • Girls usually get a bruise or small cut of the outer labia. The vagina and urethra are protected by the labia and not harmed.

When to Call for Genital Injury - Female

When to Call for Genital Injury - Female

Call 911 Now

  • Major bleeding that can't be stopped
  • Fainted or too weak to stand

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Skin bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
  • Bleeding from inside the vagina
  • Pointed object was put in the vagina, then taken out
  • Foreign object in the vagina and can't get out
  • Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
  • No past tetanus shots. Note: tetanus is the "T" in DTaP, TdaP, or Td vaccines.
  • Pain or trouble passing urine
  • Blood in urine
  • Severe pain and not better 2 hours after taking pain medicine
  • Age less than 1 year old
  • Could have been caused by sexual abuse
  • You think your child has a serious injury
  • You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • Dirty cut or hard to clean and no tetanus shot in more than 5 years
  • Clean cut and no tetanus shot in more than 10 years
  • You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • Genital pain or swelling lasts more than 7 days
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • Minor genital injury

Call 911 Now

  • Major bleeding that can't be stopped
  • Fainted or too weak to stand

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Skin bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
  • Bleeding from inside the vagina
  • Pointed object was put in the vagina, then taken out
  • Foreign object in the vagina and can't get out
  • Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
  • No past tetanus shots. Note: tetanus is the "T" in DTaP, TdaP, or Td vaccines.
  • Pain or trouble passing urine
  • Blood in urine
  • Severe pain and not better 2 hours after taking pain medicine
  • Age less than 1 year old
  • Could have been caused by sexual abuse
  • You think your child has a serious injury
  • You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • Dirty cut or hard to clean and no tetanus shot in more than 5 years
  • Clean cut and no tetanus shot in more than 10 years
  • You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • Genital pain or swelling lasts more than 7 days
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • Minor genital injury

Care Advice for Minor Genital Injuries

Bleeding - How to Stop:

  • For any bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound. Use a gauze pad or clean cloth. Press for 10 minutes or until the bleeding has stopped.
  • Note: minor cuts in the genital area can bleed a lot. This is because of the rich blood supply.
  • For the same reason, the cut heals quickly.

Cut or Scrape Treatment:

  • Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes.
  • For any dirt, scrub gently with a wash cloth.
  • Put on an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Use 2 times per day.

Cold Cloth for Bruise:

  • For bruises or swelling, put a cold wet washcloth on the skin.
  • Use once for 20 minutes, but only if tolerated.
  • Reason: helps reduce the bleeding and pain.

Pain Medicine:

  • To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
  • Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
  • Use as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Cuts and other minor injuries in the genital area heal quickly. Most often, they heal in 3 or 4 days.

Call Your Doctor If:

  • Pain becomes severe
  • Passing urine becomes painful or hard to do
  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Your child becomes worse

    • Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

    Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Copyright 2000-2025 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Reviewed: 5/1/2025 Updated: 1/25/2025