7 Best Ways To Fix Your Vagina Burning Sensation After Sex
The vagina is a delicate part of the complex reproductive system of the female body. It is an elastic; muscular canal with a soft and flexible lining. This lining provides sensation, lubrication, and protection. The vagina is essential for a quality sex life; it is the major tissue involved in sexual intercourse, and during childbirth, as the baby passes through this canal into the world.
Vaginal burning or similar sensations affect a great number of women. Understanding of this problem is paramount to discovering a proper solution for the problem. This now takes us to this necessary question; why is my vagina burning after sex?
This question has a host of answers but, rest assured, the obvious answer here is that no burning in or around your vagina is normal. However, any burning sensation is common, treatable and manageable. Also, from a medical point of view, vaginal burning maybe the result of something as simple as friction. After sexual activity, the vagina is not supposed to burn; if it does burn after sex, read below to get insight on the possible causes of such burning sensations.
Vaginal Burning Causes
The easiest way to explain the causes of vagina burning is by breaking it down into five distinct categories. Whether longstanding or temporary, vaginal burning can be very discomforting and alarming.
The five categories based on causes include:
- Infection
- External irritation
- Hormones
- Vulvodynia
- Skin conditions involving the vulva
Vaginal Burning Caused By Infection:
Vaginal infection is among the top causes of vaginal burning. The two most common culprits (pathogens) behind burning sensations are bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections. These causative organisms throw off your vaginal PH, and this creates a burning feeling the can affect your sex life. The burning may be felt during or after sexual activities.
Other infections that may contribute include urinary tract infections (UTI), and certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and genital herpes. Before you diagnose yourself with the causative organism/factor, please seek out the services of a healthcare professional. If you suspect you have an infection, including a yeast infection, visit your doctor and get the proper diagnosis before treatment.
Vagina Burning Caused By External Irritation:
This is common in young, active women who are regularly running between work, gym and other physical activities. It can also affect those who skip showers or spend a long time in sweaty exercise clothes.
These things can cause irritation to the vaginal pH, and the alteration in the PH results in the vaginal burning sensation. In the United States, many young and active women experience vaginal burning caused by external irritations, and many of these irritations are linked to the gym, work and other physical activities. Other possible irritants are pantyliners, maxi pads, heavily scented underwear, and laundry detergents. Perfumes and scented products alter the vaginal pH; this creates vaginal dryness and subsequently leads to itching and burning.
Burning Sensation Caused By Vulvodynia And Hormonal Changes:
Hormonal changes won’t directly cause burning to the vagina. A fluctuation in hormones often causes dryness, and the dryness leads to a feeling of burning which is mostly noticed after sex. Pregnancy, menopause, perimenopause, and use of hormonal contraceptives can lead to a feeling of burning. This is due to fluctuations in the estrogen level, which affects the vaginal lubrication, leading to a burning sensation.
Another cause of serious vaginal burning is vulvodynia. Vulvodynia is a chronic discomfort of the vulva; it is specifically linked to hypersensitivity of nerve endings of the skin. Vulvodynia is a bit complex and tricky. It is hard to detect the cause but it is typically characterized by pain and burning throughout the vagina. If you are experiencing pain, burning, and discomfort, see your doctor for a proper examination.
If the doctor can’t unravel the cause of the discomfort, it doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion. Remember that some people with sensitive skin are prone to vaginal burning experienced after sexual intercourse. Vulvodynia can be hard to diagnose; in some cases, you need to see up to three doctors before getting a proper diagnosis.
Don’t get discouraged after the first attempt; continue trying until you get the proper diagnosis and treatment.
Vagina Burning Due To Skin Conditions:
The fifth category applies to the vulva. It can solely be due to allergic reactions caused by hypersensitivity. The vulva is the external skin in the pubic area of the vagina; any burning down there can feel like burning in another part of the vagina.
Skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, allergy and a lot of scratching can also result in the burning sensation of the vagina. Shaving of pubic hairs with contaminated or blunt blades can also result in burning. Some conditions that cause this type of vaginal burning don’t necessarily affect the skin inside your vagina, but rather they affect the outside area known as the vulva.
If you experience any of these conditions, be it allergic reactions, skin conditions or hypersensitivity, your dermatologist or gynecologist can be able to prescribe medications that will alleviate your symptoms. Some of these prescribed medications handle the issue of dryness, allergy, and itching.
Some other subtle reasons for vaginal burning include:
- Vaginitis: This is an inflammation of the vagina. It can result in itching, discharge, and pain.
- Unhealthy Diets: A good diet plays a vital role when it comes to innate immunity. Unhealthy diets alter the normal vaginal pH and this alteration causes mild itching, burning, and discomfort. This can be felt more often during and after sexual intercourse.
- Idiopathic: Some vaginal burning is due to no apparent cause.
As we have now outlined the causes of vaginal burning, let us move to solutions for relieving and treating these conditions.
7 Ways To Stop Vagina Burning After Sex
Just like every other medical condition, there are ways to handle any vaginal burning felt after sex.
Below are the available treatment options which will hopefully restore your sex life to what it used to be:
Use of a DHEA Cream before Sex
In the human system, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) serves as an intermediary molecule in the synthesis of both estrogen and androgen sex hormones. It can also play physiologic roles because it can bind to certain receptors of the body. DHEA is produced in the brain; its production peaks by the mid-20s, but as you get older, your DHEA levels steadily decline.
The decline of DHEA can cause dryness of the vagina leading to discomfort and burning. DHEA creams and ointments are readily available online and can be used at your convenience. Use of a DHEA cream leads to the improved synthesis of the estrogen sex hormone. This hormone is responsible for better lubrication, reduced burning sensation, improved sex drive, plus overall performance.
People aged 40 years and above can use DHEA to replace hormones. It combats the effects of aging and, not only that, it increases sex drive, and also relieves vaginal burning caused by irritations, aging, and hypersensitivity. For women with a vaginal burning sensation, using DHEA cream before sex offers these following benefits:
- Improves libido in postmenopausal women
- Improves mood and sex drive
- Stimulates production of estrogens
- Alleviates symptoms of vaginal burning, especially burning due to irritations and sensitivity
- In certain women, it provides relief for sexual problems (unexplained sexual problems)
Before taking this product, remember to discuss it with your healthcare professional.
Use of Cool Compress to Soothe Symptoms
Many cases of vaginal burning require medical attention and treatments. However, with a cool compress, you can reduce sensations of burning at least for the time being. This remedy can temporarily ease itchiness, burning and other symptoms associated with vaginal burning.
Don’t apply ice directly to your genital skin; it can be dangerous and many burn your sensitive skin. The use of a cool compress that is normally used for ocular conditions may suffice, because the size should be just right. You can use a cool compress like this as often as necessary and/or convenient for you.
Stop using chemical ridden body washes
Every gynecologist will advise you to treat your lady parts with special care. Be careful with what you put down there, product-wise. Soaps, washes, and virtually anything that contains fragrance and chemicals has the potential to cause very uncomfortable situations. Chemical laden soaps do not align with vaginal pH, and this is a health problem.
Use of chemical ridden body washes alters the normal pH of the vagina; as a sensitive and delicate part of the body, this change results in what you feel as burning or discomfort. If you must use washes, it is healthy and wise to opt for an organic tea tree oil soap bar. These organic products align with the vagina’s pH and will not disrupt that pH. Though many products aren’t completely safe for our lady parts, safe ones do exist. Check out this organic Tea Tree Oil Soap Bar.
This bar is completely free of harmful synthetic chemicals. You don’t need to worry about you putting it on your most sensitive parts. This bar may help relieve burning sensations, and may help protect your vagina from irritants and allergens. Organic products are not only kinder to you and your vagina; they’re also better for the planet.
Avoid tight-fitting clothes like yoga pants
Tight fitting clothes, such as yoga pants, don’t allow the skin to breathe, and they hold sweat closer to the skin. This can be detrimental to such a sensitive area. With this clothing choice, there is an ideal breeding environment for bacteria and the warmth and moisture offers them a better environment for multiplication.
If you are always in tight-fitting clothes, you are susceptible to fungal infections, yeast infections, and other pathogens. The risk is even higher if a woman is taking systemic immunosuppressants. It is healthier to opt for cotton clothing because they allow the skin to breathe so the vaginal area does not get warm. Such an environment makes it difficult for any harmful microbes to overpopulate. Cotton clothing can also decrease the uncomfortable symptoms of vaginal infections.
Do not use chemicals in the vaginal area
Some women use certain products all in a bid to clean the vagina. This is totally unnecessary! It can be dangerous as well. The use of deodorants and other sprays causes a horrible imbalance of the typical bacteria that is supposed to be in the vagina and may actually lead to an infection. The vagina is 100% self-cleaning; if you’re overly worried about the fragrance, eat fruits and healthy vegetables for a wonderful natural scent!
Eat a plant-based, healthy diet
Just as the saying goes ‘You are what you eat’’… This is also applicable in the vagina. Fruits, dark leafy greens, grains, and healthy fats enhance vaginal lubrication, pH, fertility, and fragrance. The vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables improve vaginal immunity, the antioxidants keep the free-radicals at bay, and they all lead to a healthy vaginal environment. In addition, calcium and magnesium are beneficial to vaginal muscles. The benefits of healthy nutrition can never be overemphasized.
When to see a Doctor for Vaginal Burning
Doctors (specifically Gynecologists) deal with a wide range of medical issues relating to the vagina. It is essential that you visit your doctor for your routine reproductive system health check-up and don’t be afraid to contact them if you’re noticing vaginal burning or irritation. It’s best to always seek your doctor’s advice and diagnosis before attempting a treatment regimen.
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