Irritation and burning of the vulva after sexual intercourse: we tell you everything!

During your last intercourse with vaginal penetration, you felt irritation of your vulva or a burning inside you . Maybe it's new, or maybe it's something you experience regularly, or even during all your relationships. The fact remains that you are looking for answers to the causes of these painful sensations and solutions to treat them. This article is intended to be a complete guide to irritation and burning sensation of the vulva after sexual intercourse. It will not only be a matter of understanding them, but also of treating and preventing them. Great reading.

Why do I have irritation or burning after sex?

Several causes can lead to this irritation and/or burning sensation in your vulva and vagina during and after sexual intercourse.

Foreplay (too) short

The phase which precedes sexual penetration – aka foreplay – allows not only to increase desire but also to give your body time to prepare for penetration, in particular by letting the Bartholin glands secrete love juice, this loss colorless vaginal which promotes lubrication of your vagina. If the foreplay is (too) quick and the penetration happens (too) early in the intercourse, the natural lubrication does not have time to take place and… Ouch. Intercourse causes burns and irritation.

Punctual or chronic dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is a condition that refers to the pain and discomfort that one may feel before, during and after sexual intercourse. We distinguish between punctual dyspareunia (the fact of having pain occasionally, during a practice or a position) and chronic dyspareunia. Vaginismus, vulvodynia or even vaginal atrophy can cause dyspareunia and burning sensations during intercourse.

Lack of natural or insufficient lubrication

It is also possible that natural lubrication does not work very well for you and that, despite the desire and foreplay, the Bartholin glands do not generate or not enough love juice. Several medical reasons can cause this condition and, above all, vaginal dryness .

Friction due to prolonged or vigorous sexual intercourse

Was the night fiery and you had prolonged/numerous/pretty intense sexual intercourse? Despite good lubrication, natural or not, you may suffer from irritation and burns. And you know what ? It is very likely that your partner feels very similar!

Allergic reactions

An allergic reaction – to latex condoms, lubricants, spermicides or even your menstrual products – can be the cause of the irritation and burning that you feel in the vulva and vagina. If you have recently changed one of these products, you may be the culprit!

Infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Different infections, such as sexually transmitted infections (including chlamydia, HPV and genital herpes), vaginosis or vaginal yeast infections, can unbalance the vaginal flora and cause burning sensations during sexual intercourse. These disorders are usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as white discharge with a different texture and foul-smelling vaginal odor .

Hormonal imbalances

Hormonal imbalances can seriously upset the balance of the vaginal flora – this is often what happens during menopause, with the drop in estrogen levels. Menopause can lead to pain due to vaginal dryness, for example, infections with bad bacteria and other discomforts leading to burning and irritation.

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Is your vulva burning? Actions that save

Is your vulva on fire? Here are some solutions to quickly soothe this feeling.

Act according to the causes

The actions that help soothe your vulva depend heavily on the reasons why it became inflamed. Also, the first step is to identify the cause of your suffering.

• (Too) short foreplay / friction due to long / numerous intercourse : if this is one of the first times that you have this feeling and you recognize your lovemaking in the title of this part, the cause is quite obvious... In this case, nothing very serious. Soothe with a soothing intimate gel. We recommend the intimate gel from Miyé because it can be used externally (on the vulva and lips) and internally, directly in the vagina. It is possible that the area remains painful for some time: favor the use of a water-based lubricant if you wish to have new intercourse;

• Occasional dyspareunia : if you suffer occasionally during intercourse, there is no necessarily cause for concern. Soothe burns with a soothing intimate gel, such as the intimate gel from Miyé because it can be used externally (on the vulva and lips) and internally, directly in the vagina.
• Chronic dyspareunia: suffering repeatedly during sexual intercourse is not normal. To soothe in the moment, we also recommend the intimate gel from Miyé , light and fresh, for internal and external use, while it may be interesting to opt for an oil lubricant during your next intercourse. At the same time, we can only recommend that you consult a GP to talk to him about your pain.

• Lack or absence of natural lubrication: If you regularly have pain after intercourse, even after foreplay has lasted, it is possible that your natural lubrication is a little out of whack. To soothe in the moment, we also recommend the intimate gel from Miyé , light and fresh, for internal and external use. For your next reports, consider switching to an oil lubricant for added slipperiness. Then, we recommend that you consult your doctor or gynecologist.

• Allergic reactions: have you just changed the brand of condom / lubricant / massage oil / menstrual protection? It's possible that the burning you're feeling is due to this change and an allergic reaction. Allergies to menstrual products are common. In this case, do not apply anything to your vulva: you risk making the bruised area even more sensitive. Stop the offending product and consider consulting your doctor about this.
• Infections and sexually transmitted infections: if the burns and irritations are accompanied by textured white discharge (granular, thick, greenish, etc.) and smelly, it is possible that you have contracted an infection. Consult your doctor before applying anything to your vulva, and use condoms if you wish to continue having sex.

• Hormonal imbalance: if you are pregnant or going through menopause, there is a good chance that your hormones are playing tricks on you. You can clean your vulva with an intimate cleanser with probiotics , apply an intimate gel to your vulva to limit the burning sensation and consider using an oil lubricant for your next sexual encounters. You can also consider consulting a doctor about this, especially if you are going through menopause: vaginal dryness affects nearly 50% of women during this period.

Do you want to prevent this feeling of irritation and burning in the vulva as much as possible? The first prevention consists of adopting impeccable intimate hygiene. To do this, find our selection of favorite intimate hygiene products .

Actions that are always effective

Whatever the reasons why your vulva is irritated after sex, here are some things that will soothe you.

Clean with water

Cleaning your private area with water is never a bad move. After sexual intercourse, this helps to evacuate the remains of semen and love juice which can dry and irritate your vulva. Choose a gentle jet of water to avoid attacking your vulva and do not (ever!) douche vaginally at the risk of further unbalancing your vaginal flora.

Adopt loose, cotton or linen underwear

As for underwear, choose panties over a thong or tanga to avoid friction on your irritated vulva. For materials, natural materials such as cotton and linen are our favorites. Linen thus has the particularity of being thermoregulatory, absorbent and hypoallergenic.

Wear loose clothing

As for your clothes, we recommend that you wear fairly wide pants, without seams at the crotch level. This will again avoid unpleasant friction which risks amplifying your burning sensation.

How to prevent irritation and burns to the vulva?

Given the multiple causes that can lead to these sensations of irritation and burning in the vulva, it is impossible to prevent these situations 100%, as you can imagine. Having said this beforehand, there are several habits to put in place to take care of your vulva on a daily basis and protect it as best as possible.

Wash your vulva with water or with suitable products

Washing yourself daily is the first step you can take to take care of your vulva. You can wash with clean water or use an intimate soap with a neutral pH when you want more freshness.

Stop using “classic” soaps

Do not clean your vulva with “classic” soaps: you are doing yourself more harm than good by doing this. Shower gels and solid bars of soap, apart from those with a mention dedicated to intimate hygiene, have a pH that is too high and are too aggressive. They risk unbalancing your vaginal flora.

Stop douching

Directing the water jet specifically inside your vagina is not good for your vaginal flora. The inside of the vagina is naturally cleaned by vaginal discharge: you do not need to clean it under any circumstances. You only risk unbalancing your vaginal flora.

Moisturize your vulva

Moisturizing your vulva , daily or after sexual intercourse, is a habit that you can adopt in the long term. To do this, use suitable products. We particularly recommend the Baûbo intimate balm for the vulva . Based on beeswax, coconut and avocado, it is particularly rich and will envelop your vulva in a comforting and soothing environment.

Adopt a lubricant

A lubricant helps facilitate vaginal penetration and will be your ally if you suffer from chronic vaginal dryness. There are several types - water-based, oil-based, with CBD to increase sensations... It's up to you to choose the type of lubricant that suits you best , based on your sensations and your constraints.

Also read: 5 products to treat vaginal dryness >

How to recognize intimate dryness? >

Use condoms in non-exclusive relationships

Last but not least advice, as irritations and burns in the vulva can be linked to sexually transmitted infections, it is reasonable to protect yourself with a condom if you have sexual relations with several partners, as part of a non-exclusive relationship or even before the various tests are carried out.

STI, mycosis, vaginosis, how to get diagnosed?

After reading this article, are you considering that you may be carrying an infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia, HPV or herpes genus), a mycosis or even vaginosis? Don't panic, although these infections can take a long time to treat, the majority are benign if treated quickly. Please note here: HIV, the most feared STI today, does not cause specific pain during intercourse and is therefore very unlikely to be the cause.

Identify other symptoms

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yeast infections, and vaginosis can present with a diverse range of symptoms depending on the type of infection and the person infected. Beyond the sensations of irritation and burning during and after sexual intercourse, here are other symptoms that may alert you:

• Abnormal discharge from the vagina: colored (greenish, yellowish, etc.) or textured (lumpy) white discharge;
• Vaginal bleeding between periods;
• Recurring pain at low sales;
• Rash ;
• Fever ;
• Fatigue

Consult a healthcare professional

Whether or not you have clearly recognized the symptoms listed above, do not hesitate to consult a health professional. STIs can be asymptomatic. You can turn to your GP or your gynecologist: they will both be able to make a diagnosis and prescribe additional tests if in doubt.

Protect yourself during sexual intercourse

If you think you have an illness such as an STI, it is essential to protect yourself during sexual intercourse so as not to infect your partner. Also note, if you have had unprotected sex even though you were infected, you will need to talk about it and invite people to get tested and treated.

Tests and analyzes

Depending on the STI you may have, there are different tests and examinations:

• Chlamydia screening: This may involve urine tests, throat swabs, rectal swabs or genital swabs to detect the presence of the DNA of the bacteria responsible for these infections (Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae).
• Clinical examination and test for genital herpes: A clinical examination may be performed to look for visible lesions. A culture test or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on a sample taken from the lesion may be done to detect the herpes simplex virus.
• Genital warts (HPV) test: Physical examination may reveal visible genital warts. There are also DNA tests that can detect the presence of certain types of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Testing for vaginosis: The doctor may perform a gynecological exam to evaluate symptoms and look for physical signs of bacterial vaginosis. These signs may include a thin, gray or whitish vaginal discharge, a fishy odor, and elevated vaginal pH. In some cases, laboratory tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. This may include culturing the vaginal sample to identify the bacteria present, as well as additional testing to rule out other infections.
• Testing for a vaginal yeast infection: The doctor will often start with a physical exam of the genital area to look for any visible signs of infection. However, visible symptoms may not always be present in all cases of vaginal yeast infection. Also, laboratory tests can be carried out. This can help determine the most effective treatment, especially in cases of fungal infections that are recurrent or resistant to usual treatments.

Treatments

Treatments differ from one infection to another and depending on the severity, intensity and potential recurrence of the infection. Here is a general overview of treatment approaches for the infections discussed above, which can cause pain and irritation during the act:

• Chlamydia: The usual treatment is a single dose or course of antibiotics, usually azithromycin or doxycycline. It is important to complete the prescribed treatment, even if symptoms disappear.
• Genital herpes: There is no cure for genital herpes, but antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, valaciclovir, or famciclovir, can help reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks.
• Genital warts (HPV): Treatment aims to eliminate visible warts. This may include the application of topical medications or procedures such as cryotherapy (freezing the warts) or surgical removal.
• Vaginosis: Treatment includes vaginal or oral antibiotics for approximately one week to destroy the bacteria responsible for the imbalance in the vaginal flora. Probiotics are often prescribed in addition to rebuild the flora.
• Vaginal mycosis: Treatment for vaginal mycosis consists of antifungals, applied topically (with antifungal creams or suppositories) or orally. It takes about a week for treatment but this can vary.

Irritation and burning sensations in the vulva following sexual intercourse can be linked to different problems, pathological or not. The most common reason is intimate dryness, but other causes can lead to it such as sexually transmitted infections. The right actions to protect yourself? Good intimate hygiene, consult a health professional in the event of a recurrence and protect yourself during relationships with different partners.