Why is my vagina burning?

There are a number of reasons why you may be experiencing vaginal burning and it can be difficult to know when or why it started. Below, we’ve listed the main causes of burning and how you may be able to treat them.

What can cause vaginal burning?

Vaginal burning can be an underlying sign of something more serious and isn’t a symptom that should be ignored.

The vagina naturally contains lots of microorganisms that help to keep the area clean and free from infection. However, sometimes these can become imbalanced. An overgrowth of yeast could lead to Thrush and this could be why you’re experiencing vaginal burning. Other symptoms include itching, soreness, pain when urinating or pain during sex.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), otherwise known as water infections, can create this burning feeling in the vaginal area too. It’s likely that you have a urine infection if you frequently feel the need to go for a wee and it stings or burns when you do go. You may also experience blood in your urine or pain in the lower tummy.

To prevent UTIs, you should drink plenty of water and always go for a wee after sex. If you’re prone to water infections, drinking cranberry juice could help prevent them in the future. If your UTI persists, you should see a doctor who will advise a suitable course of treatment.

There are many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause vaginal burning, too. The main ones are Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, Gonorrhoea, and Genital Herpes. Symptoms of these infections can include:

●     Burning

●     Irritation

●     Unusual discharge (thin, frothy, yellow, foul-smelling)

●     Sores around the vaginal area

●     Bleeding between periods

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, then you should book an appointment with your doctor.

Finally, allergies could be the cause of your burning. Below, you can find a list of substances and products that you may be allergic to that could be irritating your vagina:

●     Spermicides (found on condoms)

●     Latex

●     Rubber

●     Scented soaps

●     Bubble bath

●     Nickel (usually found on zips)

Treatment usually involves avoiding the product or substance, however this can be difficult.

Can vaginal dryness cause burning?

Vaginal dryness can sometimes cause a burning sensation, as well as itchiness or general discomfort. You could try using a soap-free wash or foam that may help to alleviate the symptoms. Avoid any products that could make the area drier, such as soaps and body washes.

How to relieve vaginal burning

There are a number of ways that you may be able to reduce the burning feeling, depending on the cause of it.

A yeast infection, such as Thrush, can normally be cleared using antibiotics. These may come in the form of an oral tablet or a pessary, which is inserted into the vagina. If the symptoms continue or worsen, then consult your doctor for advice.

If you’ve been to the doctor and determined that you don’t have Thrush, an STI or a UTI, then you may have to make some small lifestyle changes. Some materials don’t allow the skin to breathe, which could result in itching or burning down there. You could switch to cotton underwear, instead of wearing lace or polyester. Cotton will help to keep the area fresh and clean. You may also want to avoid sleeping in your underwear at night.

You could also try changing your washing powder. Some can be more irritating than others, and every woman is different, so make the switch and observe the results.

Finally, you should try to avoid wearing tight clothing where possible. For example, instead of wearing skinny jeans, you could try wearing loose-fitting cotton trousers.

It can be hard to pin down exactly the cause of your vaginal burning, but we hope that we’ve outlined some treatment suggestions that you can try should your symptoms continue.