Occasionally, people have a buzzing, tingling, or vibrating sensation in or around the vagina. The feeling may come and go, and it can range in intensity. It may be a mild irritation or a painful spasm.

In most cases, this vibrating sensation is not a cause for concern. Feeling a slight, unexpected vibration in the vagina can be a typical experience, and there are several benign causes.

Keep reading for more information about what causes a vibrating vagina and what to do about it.

a woman lying down and feeling her pelvis because she has a Vibrating feeling in her vaginaShare on Pinterest
Vladimir Godnik | Getty Images

The cause of a vibrating feeling in the vagina is not always clear.

For many people, the sensation comes and goes sporadically. As a result, a person may hesitate to report it to a doctor or discuss it with others. This may partly explain why there is a lack of research into this sensation.

However, below are some potential causes of vibrating in or around the vagina.

Pelvic floor dysfunction

The pelvic floor is a layer of muscles and ligaments that connect the pelvic bone to the base of the spine.

It supports various organs and structures, including the rectum and bladder. In females, the pelvic floor muscles also support the uterus and surround the vagina.

The term pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) describes a decrease in control of the muscles of the pelvic floor. People with this condition may have weak or tight pelvic floor muscles.

PFD can cause various symptoms, including muscle spasms. When the pelvic floor muscles spasm, this may feel like a vibration in the vagina.

Other potential symptoms of PFD include:

Issues with the pelvic floor are particularly common after pregnancy and childbirth.

Muscle spasms

A muscle spasm is a sudden or involuntary contraction of one or more muscles. When muscle spasms occur, they may cause a vibrating sensation.

The North American Spine Society notes that the following factors may cause or contribute to muscle spasms:

Muscle spasms can also occur as a reaction to certain drugs, such as:

In most cases, muscle spasms will resolve on their own. If not, a pelvic floor physical therapist can help determine the cause and treatment for these spasms.

However, they can be symptomatic of an underlying neurological condition. In this case, additional symptoms may also be present. These may include:

Vaginismus

Vaginismus is a condition that involves spasms of the pelvic floor muscles around the vagina. It can cause pain at the vaginal opening.

The Center for Young Women’s Health reports that vaginismus is a reflexive action. It generally happens when someone is trying to place something into the vagina.

Therefore, anyone with vaginismus may experience pain during pelvic examinations, sexual intercourse, or when inserting a tampon.

Researchers do not know the exact cause of vaginismus. It may be related to previous pain or discomfort from any of the following:

  • inserting a tampon for the first time
  • a pelvic examination
  • a sexual assault

A person should consult a doctor if vibrating sensations in or around the vagina become more frequent or intense.

People may also inform the doctor if the sensations are alongside other symptoms, such as:

The symptoms above could point to an underlying condition, such as:

While it is not clear that these conditions cause vibrating sensations in the vagina, they may cause vaginal irritation.

Infections may require treatment with antifungal or antibiotic medications.

It is also advisable to contact a doctor if the vibrating sensations occur during pregnancy. The doctor may want to perform an examination, particularly if the sensations are a new or persistent issue.

Unless an underlying condition exists, there are no formal treatments for a vibrating vagina.

Instead, a person can take steps to help reduce the frequency of the sensation. These steps may include:

The tips above may not always be effective. A doctor will then need to determine whether an underlying medical condition is causing the sensations.

The doctor will ask about any additional symptoms and take a medical history. They may also perform a pelvic examination.

If the sensations have an underlying medical cause, the doctor will recommend a course of treatment.

Muscle spasms can occur for many reasons. Some of the more benign causes include:

  • certain medications, with the spasms as a side effect
  • overuse from excessive exercise or activity
  • dehydration

Several medical conditions can also cause muscle spasms anywhere in the body. These include:

If anyone suspects that a vibrating sensation in their vagina stems from an underlying health issue, they should contact a doctor. In such cases, spasms may also occur elsewhere or include other symptoms.

It is also advisable to consult a doctor if any unusual vaginal sensations could be a side effect of medication.

A vibrating sensation in the vagina is typically no cause for concern. The cause is often a muscle spasm affecting the pelvic floor muscles.

Usually, the sensations are sporadic and do not cause significant disruption to a person’s daily activities.

However, an individual should contact a doctor if the sensations are painful, become more frequent or intense, or accompany other symptoms.