Vaginal Burning & Burning Urination

Stinging, burning, itching, and tingling down there is something that most women have experienced at some point in their life. However, while some causes of vaginal burning don’t pose a significant health risk, others may be a sign of a serious –– or even life-threatening –– condition. With that in mind, don’t dismiss painful urination or vaginal stinging. Instead, check out all of the possible causes of burning in the vagina here:

Causes of Burning Sensations in the Vagina

Internal vaginal itching and pain during urination can occur for a wide range of reasons. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult to diagnose a condition based solely on this symptom. A few common causes of vaginal irritation include:

• Vaginosis
• Yeast Infections
• Allergic reaction to chemicals in soaps, condoms, douches, lotions, or semen.
• Menopause

In addition, women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTIs) than men. UTIs generally aren’t serious, but if left untreated, they can spread to the kidneys and cause further complications.

Lastly, pain during urination, pelvic pain, and the need to urinate frequently are all symptoms of vaginal cancer, which, obviously, is a life-threatening condition that you should seek medical attention for immediately.

STDs & Burning During Sex

One common misconception regarding STDs is their symptoms begin at the moment of contraction. In other words, people expect to notice the signs and symptoms of an STD as soon as they get one. However, STD symptoms may not manifest for weeks, months, or (potentially) years after infection. What’s more, STDs can cause pain or discomfort during sex –– but so can nearly every condition listed above. STDs are also known to cause women to feel the need to urinate more often.

STDs that Cause Vaginal Burning

Several STDs are known to cause stinging in or around the vagina. The two most common of which are chlamydia and gonorrhea. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are characterized by abdominal pain, burning during urination, the need to urinate more frequently, pain during sex, and unusual vaginal discharge. In fact, many individuals experience both chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time! The good news is, chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial STDs and are thus, curable. However, if left untreated, they can lead to conditions like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which can contribute to infertility.

Herpes may also cause vaginal burning. Since herpes bumps can occur within the vagina, they may generate discomfort –– particularly during urination or intercourse.

To conclude, trichomoniasis –– a parasitic STD –– may also cause inflammation or itching of the labia, vulva, or vagina.

What Should You Do if Your Vagina Burns or Itches?

While vaginal discomfort/pain during urination and sex is not uncommon, it doesn’t mean that you should overlook it. Rather, it’s imperative to get tested for STDs and consult a medical professional if you experience these symptoms. Note, that even if the symptoms “go away” on their own, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re STD-free. Getting tested is the only way to identify the issue so you can seek proper treatment.