What Causes Vaginal Burning? Symptoms and Treatments Guide 2024
By Vanessa Richards
January 10, 2024 • Fact checked by Dumb Little Man
The vagina has very sensitive skin and is easily subject to vaginal irritation and burning. Vaginal burning is a considerably common vaginal infection that involves a sensation of irritation on burning the female genitalia.
The burning sensations in the vaginal area can be caused by improper hygiene, using the wrong laundry detergents, chemical irritants, menopause, genital herpes, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The burning and itching feeling can occur either in the labia, clitoris, or vaginal opening. Usually, the burning feeling becomes severe during sexual intercourse or urination.
Vaginal itching and burning can be both moderate and severe, depending on the cause of it. Occasional burning and itching are common, but if they persist, one should consult a gynecologist.
What is Vaginal Burning?
We can feel burning and itching almost anywhere in our bodies, but when it comes to highly sensitive organs like the vagina, it can be a reason for extreme concern. Vaginal burning usually involve a burning sensation in the female genitalia (clitoris, labia minora, labia majora, and the vaginal opening).
If there is just itching and irritation, you shouldn’t be very concerned about it. It’s common for our bodies to itch sometimes. Usually, the itching may be due to allergies, skin rashes, poor hygiene, or using the wrong laundry products.
Similarly, people often experience burning sensations during sexual intercourse. In such cases, you are probably safe from a chronic condition. In most cases, it is due to improper lubrication (or no lubrication for that matter), or maybe your skin is allergic to the particular type of condom you are using.What to Do if You Experience Vaginal Burning?
The first and most important thing you need to do if you feel a burning sensation in your genitalia or urinary tract is to look for signs of infection. That’s because signs of infection mean that there is a deeper underlying condition, such as bacterial vaginosis, that needs to be treated. It is highly recommended that you postpone sexual activity until you figure out the cause of your burning sensations and treat them.
What are the Symptoms of Vaginal/Vulval Burning?
Symptoms of genital burning in females differ based on the underlying causes; however, here are some general symptoms you may experience in such cases:
- Severe burning sensation in the genital area
- Severe itching in the genital area
- A sensation of rawness in the genital zone
- Stinging sensations
- Pain (while urinating; with or without sexual intercourse)
- Unusual and persistent vaginal discharge
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Pain in the genital area
- Soreness
- Strong and persistent foul smell (often described as ‘fish-like’)
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Infection
- Fever
What are the causes of Vaginal Burning?
Burning sensations in the female genitalia are fairly complicated as they can arise for multiple reasons. In most cases, the burning is not severe and will heal on its own. However, one shouldn’t take it lightly because the underlying causes can be extremely concerning.
Here are some of the most common and deadly viral and bacterial diseases that can cause burning sensations in your genitalia.
Bacterial Vaginosis
The female genitalia is full of bacteria that are good for its internal environment. However, sometimes unhealthy bacteria can make their way into the genital area and lead to bacterial vaginosis.
Experts believe that it is the most common vaginal infection. Bacterial vaginosis commonly occurs in people involved in sex but can occur in otherwise virgin people as well. The main symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include:
- Severe itching
- A sensation of burning in the female genitalia, which may or may not occur during urination
- A persistent and unusual odor, mostly after sex, described as ‘fish-like.’
- An unusual gray or white vaginal discharge
- Pain
Bacterial vaginosis can sometimes lead to sexually transmitted diseases, which is why it must be treated immediately.
Yeast Infection (Vaginal Candidiasis)
There is a healthy amount of Candida Albicans, a fungus that grows in the female genitalia. Vaginal yeast infections are not transmitted through sexual contact and are fairly common among women. Yeast infections occur when this particular fungus grows beyond its natural amount.
The following are the main symptoms of yeast infections:
- Intense itchiness in the vaginal area
- Intense burning of the vaginal area
- Irritation
- Uncomfortable discharges (cottage cheese-like)
- Vaginal discomfort
- Uncomfortable urination
- Uncomfortable intercourse
- Redness of the female genitalia
The probability of getting such an infection particularly increases during pregnancy, using hormonal contraceptives, antibiotic medications, and diabetes.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a viral disease caused by the notorious herpes virus that is transmitted through sexual means. In this disease, painful blisters appear on or around the vaginal area, rectum, or mouth. Although it can occur both in men and women, genital herpes is fairly common among women.
It is a very disturbing disease that stays with most people for most of their lives. People with genital herpes may stay asymptomatic for a long time.
The main symptoms of genital herpes include:
- Blisters on the vagina, rectum, or mouth
- Intense burning sensation in the vagina and vulva
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Flu-like symptoms
- Swollen glands
- Painful sores or ulcers
- Vaginal itching or tingling
- Painful urination and intercourse
>> Related Article: Herpesyl Reviews: Does it Really Work? »
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects the organs of the urinary symptoms. The main symptom of UTI is painful urination.
Normal urine doesn’t contain any harmful bacteria, and it usually moves through the urinary symptoms without contaminating the internal organs. When bacteria, such as E. Coli, make their way into the urinary tract, it affects the internal lining of the tract.
The following are the main symptoms of urinary tract infections:
- Vaginal or vulvar pain
- Pain in the abdomen or pelvic area
- Urgent need to urinate
- Painful urination
- Blood in urine
- Urine leakage
- Increased frequency of urination
- Cloudy and unusually smelly urine
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infectious bacterial disease that usually affects the cervix in women. It can also affect the uterus, mucous membranes of the vagina, the fallopian tubes, anus, and urethra. It can lead to intense feelings of burning in the vagina, accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Irritation in the vagina and vulva
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding in the absence of periods
- Difficulty urinating
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is another disease that can transmit sexually and frequently involves a burning sensation in the vagina. This disease is often referred to as a “silent infection” because the people who have it stay asymptomatic for a long time. Although it is not a very serious disease, it can completely damage the reproductive system if it is not treated properly.
Apart from the burning sensation in the vagina, chlamydia involves the following symptoms:
- Unusually increased vaginal discharge
- Painful urination
- Painful sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding during sex
Allergies
An allergic reaction may occur when your immune system over-responds to certain pathogens or substances. Genital contact allergies are very common because the vagina is a highly sensitive organ. Usually, they involve a feeling of burning and irritation in the vagina.
Semen, spermicides, condoms, scented toilet paper, lubricants, rubber, hygiene sprays, and many other products can lead to genital allergies. If these products are used carelessly, they can lead to many serious complications.
>> Related Article: Top Cure for Herpes • Best Supplements and Program to Eradicate HSV in 2024 »
How to Treat Vaginal Burning?
As we already discussed, burning sensations are often an underlying symptom of another vaginal disease or infection. If they occur on their own, without any connection with an underlying vaginal disease or infection, they usually go away on their own. If you are experiencing burning sensations in your vagina, you need to consult a healthcare provider to figure out what’s the underlying cause. Your doctor will tell you whether you need hormone therapy or an antibiotic.
Here we will discuss some of the home remedies, common medications, treatment programs, and supplements that will help you get rid of the burning and other related complications.
Natural Remedies
Burning sensations in the vagina are often the result of inadequate hygiene, unsafe sex, or allergies. That’s why home remedies can work really great, not just for treating the burning symptoms but also for ensuring disease control in the future.
If you want to treat your painful burning sensations and avoid them in the future, here are some home remedies for you:
- Apply an ice pack to your vagina
- Wear cotton underwear
- Avoid wearing tight clothes
- Avoid using scented hygiene products
- Apply petroleum jelly to the affected area
- Do not wash your vagina overly frequently because it increases vaginal dryness
- Do not douche
- Use comfortable condoms
Medications
As we have already pointed out, the medication you can use for treating burning sensations highly depends upon what causes it. For example, if your burning is an underlying symptom of vaginal yeast infection, you can use Clomitrazole to treat it, along with alleviating the symptoms of vaginal itching and unusual discharge.
So, you need to know what makes you experience the burning sensations before you can decide on a specific medication. In many cases, the burning is either a result of bacterial infections or viral infections, which is why your healthcare provider will most likely prescribe you antiviral, antibiotic, or antifungal medications.
Common Medications
The most common medications used for treating these burning sensations include:
- Clindamycin Cream
- Metronidazole
- Secnidazole
- Tinidazole
- Fluconazole
- Griseofulvin
- Terbinafine
- Ketoconazole
- Itraconazole
It is self-evident that you shouldn’t take any of these medications without discussing them first with a competent healthcare professional.
Yeast Infection No More: The Best Non-Invasive Treatment Program
If you are looking for a non-invasive treatment for getting rid of the burning sensations and the associated symptoms, there is no better program than the Yeast Infection No More program. This program is designed for myriads of vaginal problems, including but not limited to burning and vaginal itching. It is a holistic program designed to teach you can permanently get rid of the burning.
This program involves a 250-page downloadable e-book, written very systematically and in an easy tone. This program is not a single treatment; in fact, it will teach you many natural methods for curing burning sensations. It is primarily designed to treat yeast infection, but it works like magic for getting rid of genital burning and itching as well (which may be caused by yeast infection).
Benefits of the Yeast No More Program
With the help of this program, you will get rid of severe burning in your vagina within less than two months. The treatments that you will learn in this program will enable you to achieve instant relief. Apart from treating the burning sensations, you will also learn how to treat yeast infection, vaginal allergies, genital warts, digestive disorders, muscle aches, fatigue, migraine, skin problems, and much more!
What makes this program best is that it will teach you how to get rid of the burning without using any drugs, creams, or lotions, thereby staying safe against the side effects of these medications.
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Full Article : Yeast Infection No More Reviews 2024: Does it Really Work?
Supplements
While supplements can’t directly help you get rid of the burning symptoms or vaginal infections, they can enhance your immunity and help you fight the bacteria, fungi, or viruses that are causing them.
Here are some natural herbs that can enhance your immunity and help you alleviate the burning symptoms through their antiviral effects
- Astragalus root
- Calendula
- Echinacea
- Elderberry
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Licorice root
- Olive leaf
Conclusion
Vaginal burning may seem like a simple problem on the surface, but it’s not. It is quite likely that it is a result of an underlying genital disease. Pain, irritation, itching, difficulty urinating, sexual difficulties, and many other symptoms co-occur with it. That’s why it is highly recommended that you go for a thorough checkup if you experience burning sensations.
The best way to eradicate the burning sensations in your vagina and their underlying causes is to try the Yeast Infection No More program.
Here is why this program is the best for you:
- Cures not only the burning but also its underlying causes, and it does so permanently.
- A widely used program.
- Written in an easy and step-by-step manner.
- Based on modern peer reviewed studies.
- Offers exclusive one-on-one counseling as well.
- Frees you from medications and creams that come with myriads of side effects.
- If you follow the instructions in this program, you can also improve the health of your digestive system, skin, and hair.
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Vaginal Burning FAQs
Is Vaginal/Vulval Burning Sexually Transmitted?
Well, it depends upon the underlying cause. If it is caused by a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia, genital warts, or gonorrhea, then it can transmit through sexual contact.
Is Vaginal/Vulval Burning Lethal?
No, as a symptom, it is not lethal. However, its underlying bacterial, viral, or fungal cause can be lethal.
Can Burning Sensations Occur Solely Due to Sexual Intercourse?
Yes, the absence of proper lubrication or very rough sexual intercourse with your sexual partner can lead to temporary burning symptoms.
Vanessa Richards
Vanessa is a mom of 3 lovely children and a software geek. Outside of her career as a health and wellness instructor. She enjoys writing and researching on topics such as finance, software, health and culinary.