Our bodies are capable of all kinds of strange sensations, including vibrations in the pelvic area. Sometimes they’re due to an underlying health condition, and other times the cause can’t be determined.

It can come as quite a surprise to feel a vibration or buzzing in or near your vagina. And while there could be any number of reasons for it, it’s probably not cause for concern.

Here are some of the most common causes, other symptoms to watch for, and when to see a doctor.

It’s not really possible to know how common vaginal vibrations are. It’s the kind of thing people might be reluctant to talk about.

And because it can be fleeting and may not present much of a problem, some people may never mention it to a doctor.

The issue of the vibrating vagina tends to come up in online forums, perhaps because it’s easier to talk about it anonymously. It’s hard to say if one group is more likely to experience this than another.

Basically, anyone with a vagina could feel a vibrating sensation at some point. It’s not abnormal.

Strange sensations are fairly subjective. Depending on the person, it may be described as:

  • vibrating
  • humming
  • buzzing
  • throbbing
  • tingling

The vibrations may come and go or alternate with numbness.

Some people say it’s unusual, but it doesn’t hurt. Others say it’s uncomfortable, annoying, or even painful.

A visitor to the MSWorld.org Forum wrote about a “buzzing sensation in my private area like I’m sitting on a cellphone on vibrate.”

And on a Justanswer OB GYN Forum, someone posted: “I have been experiencing a vibration in my vaginal area, there is no pain and it comes and goes but it seems to be happening more each day. It does not matter if I am standing or sitting, almost feels like buzzing in that area. It is driving me crazy!”

In a Baby Center Forum, it was described this way: “It almost feels like when my eyelid twitches. It’s like a ‘vaginal muscle twitch’ is the only way I can think to describe it. It doesn’t really hurt either, it’s just weird.”

Our bodies are filled with muscles and nerves, so vibrations or twitching can happen just about anywhere on the body. That includes the genitals and around the butt.

Depending on the location, it can result in some pretty strange sensations.

In an MS Society U.K. Forum, one person spoke of having twitching in the vagina, as well as the calf, thigh, and arm muscles.

A pregnant Babygaga Forum commenter said it felt like a weird twitching in the butt along with vaginal spasms.

It’s not always possible, even for a doctor, to figure out why you feel vibrations in your vagina.

The vagina is supported by a network of muscles. Muscles can twitch for a variety of reasons, including:

  • stress
  • anxiety
  • fatigue
  • alcohol or caffeine consumption
  • as a side effect of certain medications

Pelvic floor disorders can cause muscle spasms in the pelvis, which might feel like a vibration in or near your vagina.

Pelvic floor disorders can result from:

  • childbirth
  • menopause
  • straining
  • obesity
  • aging

Vaginismus is an uncommon condition that causes muscle contractions or spasms near the vagina. It can happen when you’re inserting a tampon, having intercourse, or even during a Pap test.

The topic of vaginal vibrations also comes up in multiple sclerosis (MS) forums. One of the symptoms of MS is paresthesia, or strange sensations including numbness, tingling, and prickling. These can occur in various parts of the body, including the genitals.

Paresthesia can also be a symptom of other neurological conditions such as transverse myelitis, encephalitis, or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

The vibrating sensation may be a temporary thing that goes away on its own. If you’re pregnant, it could resolve after your baby is born.

Here are a few things you can try:

An occasional feeling of vibration in or near your vagina probably isn’t serious.

You should see a doctor if:

  • It has become persistent and is causing stress or other problems.
  • You also have numbness or lack of sensation.
  • It hurts during vaginal intercourse or when you try to use a tampon.
  • You have unusual discharge from the vagina.
  • You’re bleeding from the vagina but it’s not your period.
  • It burns when you urinate or you urinate more frequently.
  • You have swelling or inflammation around the genitals.

Tell your doctor about:

  • previously diagnosed health problems
  • all the prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications you take
  • any dietary supplements or herbs you take

If you’re pregnant, it’s worth mentioning this and any other new symptoms at your next visit.

In any case, your gynecologist is used to hearing about such things, so it’s perfectly fine to bring it up.