Vaginal burning can occur after sex, experiencing pain and discomfort after sex can be concerning and distressing for many women. Vaginal burning is defined as burning sensation and irritation, itching or pain feels in genital region, it is a common problem reported by many women after sex.while pain after sex is occasional, persistent pain and irritation might be sign for underlying problemi.e friction, allergy, vaginal tear or other health problems.

In this article we will discuss about possible causes of vaginal burning after sex and best treatment options and preventive measures.

vaginal burning after sex causes:

1. Dryness and friction: Inadequate lubricant can lead to dry and irritate vagina and causes burning sensation, during rough sex woman may experience excess friction or when people have sex for a longer period of time can also lead to burning sensation in vagina. However vaginal dryness and inadequate lubrication during sex are becoming very normal problem these days.
2. Allergic reaction:some woman may have allergic reaction to condom, lubricant,or latex. Sperm allergy is also one of the common cause of allergy in vagina that cause pain and irritation. Many people have habit to creams, jellies, hygiene care products to use down there wich also may cause allergic reaction to vagina and make vagina sensitive and they might experience of so much painful sex.
3. Infection: if you are experiencing dyspareunia (painful sex) you might have in infection i.e 

• Sexually transmitted disease (STD): there are many STD’s who causes painful sex and burning after sex i.e herpes vaginalis, gonorrhoea,Chlamydia,trichomoniasis.

• Yeast infection: yeast infection also known as candidiasis, due to yeast infection people may experience foul smelling vaginal discharge, dyspareunia (painful sex), dysuria (painful urination).
• Bacterial vaginosis: symptoms include gray color, strong fishy coloured vaginal discharge, dyspareunia, dysuria, itching.
• Vaginismus: it is a condition where muscle of vagina involuntarily contract, makes vaginal penetration very painful and even if penetration possible it is very painful and burning sensation during and after sex. It may be caused by

– Past sexually abuse

• Vaginal cancer or vulvar cancer: in very rare case this burning and painful sex may be due to vulvar cancer. According to American Cancer Society, vulvar cancer for around 0.7% of all cancers in women in the United States.
  

Other factors like

• Anatomical differences i.e very small vagina or very big penis that are not compatible to vagina.
• Lack of lubrication
• Psychological factors i.e fear of having sex
• Relationship factors i.e if woman doesn’t have feelings of that particular partner.or have fear of that person.
• Rough sex: having rough sex specially when woman not wet can have damage to the tissues of vagina and can causes pain and burning after sex
• Sexual positions: some difficult position i.e doggy style or standing can also have damage to the vagina and can causes burning sensation and pain during and after sex.

4. Skin Diseases: Skin Diseases i.e fungal infection, skin atrophy, lichen sclerosis may also causes burning sex.

5. Menopause: after menopause hormones i.e estrogen decreases and due to this vaginal skin Shrinks (Atrophy)and become less lubricant and make vaginal muscles become fragile, this causes painful sex.

6. Urinary tract infection (UTIs):

UTI in female are very common problem, because urethra of female is shorter as compare to male.thats Why infection causing organisms ascend into bladder via urethra and causes UTI.

Prevention:

• Use of lubricants: use water based lubricant to reduce friction and prevents from vaginal dryness so that you can have smooth and good sex and less damage to the vagina ultimately reduce burning sensation after sex.

• Use a proper and selective condom: choose a condom wich have less allergan and irritants, i.e condoms wich don’t have nonoxynol-9, it is a potential irritant and can cause burning after sex. And recommend to use a condom that don’t have spermicide chemical as many people have spermicide allergy that can cause burning sensation after sex.

• Maintain a hygiene of that particular area: give importance to genital parts also as you value your face, and maintain a good genital hygiene to prevent many infections.

• Don’t use harsh products there: don’t use irritant and harsh products there to prevent irritation and injury.

• Discuss with your partner and inform about your problem: talk clearly and openly about when you feel discomfort and wich position you feel burning so that you can avoid this thing and do it in a good way so that you both can enjoy.

• Avoid difficult sex positions: avoid such position where you feel discomfort, pain and burning sensation.

• Avoid rough sex: talk clearly with your partner about that to do it very politely and in a smooth way, keep aside there fantasy and you care about yourself first.

Remedies and self care:

prevention and treatment totally depends upen underlying cause, here I am discussing general remedies and self care techniques to avoid burning after sex

• Don’t start until you are wet
• Use water based lubricant if you feel dryness
• Do it with love and smoothness
• Foreplay is most important part of smooth sex, don’t start direct ever that will cause burn because your vagina will not get enough wet
• Avoid difficult position
• Practice non penetrative sex for some days if you are facing burning problem
• Take a Painkiller table if necessary
• Apply ice pack on that area after sex
• Avoid using harsh products there to avoid irritation
• Stay hydrated to maintain good vaginal health
  

Treatment:

Treatment options is totally depends on an underlying causes

– Infections: 

• Yeast Infections (Candidiasis):

If your gynecologist diagnosed you with yeast infection then she prescribed you Antifungal Medications, Creams, vaginal suppositories, or oral tablets containing antifungal agents like itraconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, or fluconazole are commonly used and available medicine.

• Bacterial Vaginosis (BV):

Antibiotics: metronidazole and/or clindamycin prescribed in oral, vaginal gel & suppositories, or cream form are typical treatments for BV. It’s important to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed coz if we stopped taking antibiotics without completing course them bacteria becomes resistant and hard to kill by antibiotics.

• Trichomoniasis:

For trichomoniasis Antiprotozoal Medication i.e Metronidazole or tinidazole are commonly prescribed to treat trichomoniasis. Partners also need treatment for safer side to prevent re-infection.

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD):

Antibiotics or Antivirals, Specific medications are prescribed based on the type of STI diagnosed, such as azithromycin for chlamydia, ceftriaxone for gonorrhea, or antivirals for herpes or HPV.

•Hormonal Treatments for menopause:

For menopausal women experiencing vaginal dryness and atrophy,hot flashes on face, hormonal treatments in the form of estrogen creams, rings, or tablets may be recommended.

•Lifestyle Changes:

 In cases where poor hygiene and/or irritants are causing the problem, lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining good hygiene,avoiding douching or using irritating products.

• For vulvar cancer: Chemotherapy and palliative care is needed.
• Skin Diseases: in this condition you may have to apply steroids and antibiotics and antifungal creams and may have to to take systemic therapy.
• For vaginismus: for the treatment of vaginismus problem dilator may be used.