Great job getting in those jumping jacks and squats! Exercise is super important in keeping our bodies and minds healthy. When our bodies don’t feel great, it can be discouraging to exercise. It’s not uncommon for some women to experience vaginal discomfort with exercise, and it’s often referred to as “sport vagina.” Vaginal discomfort can feel different depending on the person; for example, some people may experience numbness or tingling, others may have burning or itching, while others may have discharge, it really just depends.
In most cases, staying well hydrated, purchasing loose fitting clothing, avoiding scented feminine care products, and practicing good hygiene after working out can help reduce the discomfort. That being said, if this feeling happens pretty often or is concerning to you, it’s a good idea to see your health care provider as soon as possible. They will be able to determine if there is something more going on than just tight fitting pants!
Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.