Have you been trying to find a comfortable way of sitting? Do you find it difficult to urinate or even fear the thought of urinating because of the pain?
Don’t worry! You are not alone. A burning sensation in the vagina happens to most women and can be caused by different conditions. Moreover, it can be easily treated with medication, home remedies, and some TLC!
At times, when we feel a burning sensation down there, we tend to ignore it or hope that it will get better naturally. That may be true, but it isn’t always the case.
This article will focus on different causes and effective treatments to cure the burning sensation in your vagina.
Indirect causes
Did you change any products or put on any fitted clothes these days?
Certain chemicals can cause vaginal irritation and a burning sensation in your vaginal area, especially since the skin is more sensitive. You may have used a different detergent or used scented toilet paper that may have caused it.
On the other hand, irritation can also be caused by tight clothing like your pants or underwear. It may cause heat rash and irritate the tissues in this area.
Try to pinpoint when the burning sensation started and recall if you tried a different product or wore tight clothing for a long time. Moreover, avoid using scented products on your vagina to prevent this from happening.
Direct causes
Different products that have direct contact with your vagina like menstrual pads, tampons, and condoms can cause vaginal burning, too.
Did you leave your pad or tampon on too long or did you change to a new product?
Some women are also allergic to certain contraceptives and condoms. Knowing this will help you avoid products that cause more harm than good.
Vaginal Infections
Bacterial vaginosis
This is the most common vaginal infection that women ages 15 to 44 experience, and it is a condition wherein there is an overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vaginal area that disrupt normal balance.
The leading bacteria in bacterial vaginosis is gardnerella vaginalis which displace Lactobacilli. Aside from a burning sensation, you may also have a thin vaginal discharge that is either white or gray, a fish-like odor, especially after sexual intercourse, and vaginal itching.
Bacterial vaginosis can be cured naturally, but some women may need medication.
Yeast infection
This is another vaginal infection that may happen at least once to a woman in her lifetime, and this is the condition wherein the yeast in the vagina is reproduced excessively.
Aside from the burning sensation, some other common symptoms of yeast infections or vaginal candidiasis are itching, swelling, redness, thick white discharge, and a red rash outside of the vagina.
Home remedies or anti-fungal medications can help in curing the yeast infections. However, it would be best to consult a doctor to verify if it is indeed a yeast infection and so that they can prescribe medication, if needed.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
UTI is caused by a buildup of bacteria in the urinary tract or bladder. Depending on the severity, it can cause a burning sensation and a lot of pain while urinating.
Other symptoms of urinary tract infections include having the urge to urinate more often, strong smelling urine, cloudy urine blood, fever or chills, and back pain.
It is important to drink a lot of water during this time to help remove the symptoms much quicker.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Let’s talk about some sexually transmitted infections.
Trichomoniasis
This is a common STD but is seen more in women and usually does not present any symptoms.
Aside from the burning sensation, watch out for irritation or itchiness, unusual discharge that is thin and may be white, yellow, or green, a strong odor, discomfort during sex and urination, and abdominal pain.
Prescription antibiotics should do the trick. However, you and your partner should take medication for it to prevent any more serious symptoms.
Gonorrhea
This is another STD that is more common in men and women ages 15 to 24. It may not present obvious symptoms, but try looking out for unusual discharge bleeding in your vagina in between periods.
There is usually a single-dose medication for it so that it doesn’t lead to more illnesses that are more severe.
Chlamydia
This STD usually does not present any symptoms aside from discharge and a burning sensation. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious complications with your fertility. The more you get infected by it, the lower the chance of fertility.
Genital herpes
This is another STD that affects one out of six people ages 14 to 49. Try to look out for sores that resemble ingrown hair and can be found around the mouth, vagina, and rectum.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for genital herpes and the medicine only lessens the severity and duration of the flare-up. Consulting a doctor is essential to protect you and your partner.
Genital warts
These warts are caused by the STD human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be found in clusters that are white or skin-colored around the vaginal area.
Just like genital herpes, there is no cure because it gets removed naturally or with treatment. Removing genital warts lessens discomfort and the probability of infecting your partner.
Menopause
Menopause can cause a burning sensation because of the lower levels of estrogen in the body. Extra lubrication is needed so that sexual intercourse does not aggravate the condition.
If you think you are in menopause, you might also be feeling irritability, fatigue, insomnia, and a reduce in sex drive.
Your doctor can prescribe hormonal supplements to relieve some of the symptoms.
Final thoughts
Any kind of burning sensation or vaginal pain should not be felt in your vaginal area, so to keep your mind at ease and to take care of your body better, always remember to consult your healthcare provider, be aware of other symptoms you are experiencing, and take proper medications.