Burning in the vagina can be caused by allergies, diaper rash or skin irritation resulting from reactions to underwear, hygiene products, fabric softeners or creams. They can also indicate an infection, such as candidiasis, vaginosis, trichomoniasis or gonorrhea, for example, especially when the burning sensation in the vagina is accompanied by other symptoms such as discharge or a bad smell in the region.
When it appears after intimate intercourse, burning in the vagina may be caused by excess friction during intimate contact, allergy to condoms or the partner’s semen, or it may also indicate a decrease in the lubrication of the genitalia, simply due to a lack of stimuli for it to occur. the woman becomes excited during intercourse, but also due to hormonal or psychological changes.
To differentiate between the causes of burning in the vagina, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist, who will be able to collect information, examine and carry out tests. Treatment is carried out according to the cause, and may include antibiotics, vaginal ointments, hormone replacement or anti-allergy and anti-inflammatories.
What could stinging or burning in the vagina be like?
To find out the possible cause of your vaginal stinging or burning, please answer the following questions:
This tool is only used to try to identify the possible cause of the burning sensation in the vagina. Therefore, it should not replace a consultation with a doctor, who is the professional responsible for diagnosing and recommending the most appropriate treatment.
Main causes
The main causes of burning in the vagina are:
1. Allergies and diaper rash
Some women may have increased sensitivity to certain products and develop irritation on the vulva. Some of the products that generally cause this type of reaction are absorbents, certain underwear fabrics, toilet paper, soaps or even the type of fabric softener used to wash clothes, especially the most perfumed ones. In some cases, even wearing very tight clothing is enough to cause irritation in the area.
It is also possible that the burning after intercourse indicates an allergy to the latex of the condom or to the partner’s semen, but the woman should be aware of the appearance of other symptoms such as discharge and bad smell, as it could also be the beginning of a fungal infection or bacteria.
What to do: it is necessary to identify and stop the use of substances that cause allergies. The gynecologist will also be able to advise the use of medications that alleviate symptoms, such as anti-allergy or anti-inflammatory ointments, for example.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
2. Vaginal infection
A very common type of vaginal infection is candidiasis, caused by excessive growth of the fungus. Candida sp in the vaginal flora, and causes itching, burning, redness that can be more intense before menstruation and after intercourse, in addition to a lumpy white discharge. Find out what the symptoms are and how to treat candidiasis.
Other forms of infection can be bacterial vaginosis, which causes yellowish discharge, a foul smell and burning in the vagina, trichomoniasis, which causes abundant discharge, itching and pain in the vaginal region, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, genital herpes and chlamydia.
What to do: it is necessary to seek care from a gynecologist, who will prescribe medications according to the microorganism causing the infection, which may include antifungals, in the case of candidiasis, or antibiotics in the case of bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea or chlamydia infection. When there is a genital herpes infection, the doctor may prescribe antivirals, such as acyclovir.
3. Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes usually occur during menopause, but they can also occur after removing the ovaries, undergoing radiotherapy or using certain medications, which can make the vaginal wall thinner and more sensitive, a situation known as atrophic vaginitis.
These changes in female hormones can also contribute to a decrease in sexual desire and vaginal lubrication during intimate contact, also contributing to causing pain and burning in the region.
What to do: the gynecologist will be able to advise on ways to allow more comfortable intimate contact, through the use of hormone replacement, lubricants and replacement of medications that can hinder sexual desire. Check out some tips to increase sexual desire in women.
4. Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia is an important cause of pain in the vagina during intimate contact, as it causes uncomfortable symptoms such as pain, irritation, redness or a stinging sensation in the genital region, which is chronic and recurrent. Although its causes are not yet fully understood, this disease appears to be caused by pelvic floor, hormonal or nerve pathway dysfunctions.
What to do: after evaluation, the gynecologist will adapt the treatment according to each person’s symptoms, as there is no definitive treatment. Some options include the application of topical medications such as lidocaine, the use of oral medications such as estrogen tablets, antidepressants or antiepileptics that relax the muscles, in addition to psychotherapy or sexual counseling being indicated. See what vulvodynia is and how to treat it.
5. Worms
Pinworm infection can cause intense itching in the anal region, and if it is not treated correctly and becomes intense, it can spread to the vaginal region and cause pain and burning in this region. Also known as enterobiosis, this worm is transmissible from one person to another and is more common in children. Find out what the symptoms are and how oxyuriasis is transmitted.
What to do: treatment for oxyuriasis is done with deworming medications such as pyrantel pamoate, albendazole or mebendazole, used in a single dose to eliminate the worms and eggs that infect the body.
6. Skin diseases
There are dermatological diseases that can affect the body’s mucous membranes, such as the mouth and vagina, causing injuries and burning. Some of these diseases include lichen planus or lichen simplex, pemphigus or erythema multiforme, for example.
What to do: the treatment of these dermatological diseases must be guided by a dermatologist, which includes the use of medications to relieve itching, corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory ointments or phototherapy, which consists of the use of pulsed light to reduce skin inflammation.
