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

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.

Last Reviewed: 05/01/2025

Last Revised: 01/25/2025

Copyright 2000-2025 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.