Vaginal Burning 

Vaginal burning is distressing! Actually how do you describe the sensation? To me it is a feeling of warmth. Heat even. And rawness down there. It is extremely uncomfortable. The frustration is that I can’t scratch it or soothe it with ointment. 

Urinating is always a tense moment. There is more  stinging when urine comes into contact with the inflamed labia and vulva .

Avoiding going to the toilet as much as possible seems to be the only logical solution, which of course is not. 

Luckily, these home based vagina burning remedies do provide some soothing relief.

How To Prevent Vaginal Burning

  • Do not use scented pads and toilet paper, feminine sprays and talcum powder on or inside your vagina.
  • Do not use soaps to cleanse the vulva. They are harsh. And cause irritation. A pH balanced cleanser or probiotic wash is most suitable for the vulva.
  • Avoid douching as it disrupts the vaginal flora.
  • Avoid hot tubs, swimming pools and bubble baths. They contain chemicals which you might be allergic to.
  • Always wipe from front to back (away from the vagina) after passing stools.
  • Wear cotton panties so that the genital area can breathe and change your undies daily.
  • No thong underwear as the strings cause more chaffing to the already sore vagina.

Causes Of Vaginal Burning

The burning sensation in the vagina varies in intensity. It depends on the underlying causes and individual factors.  The burning can be constant or only felt during urination or sex.

Vaginal itching and burning can appear suddenly or build up over weeks or months. Listed below are the major causes for that heat in the vagina.

1. Bacterial Vaginosis - 

Bacterial Vaginosis or BV occurs due to the disruption in vagina flora, that is there is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria. When the population of good bacteria in the vagina is overpowered by bad bacteria, you get BV.

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are:-

  • Vaginal burning and itching
  • Watery vaginal discharge with a fishy smell

2.  Vagina Yeast Infection aka Candida 

Candida or vagina yeast infection is caused by the fungus candida albicans. The symptoms of a yeast infection are:-

  • Burning vagina
  • Thick (cottage cheese like) odorless discharge
  • Vulva inflammation
  • Labia itching 
  • Painful intercourse

3.  Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD). It results from the parasite trichomonas vaginalis being passed between sexual partners. The symptoms are:-

4. Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is one of the common STDs. The symptoms of gonorrhea are:-

Untreated gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disorder (PID), infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

5.  Chlamydia

Chlamydia aka the "silent disease", is one of the most common STDs. The symptoms for women are:-

  1. Vaginal burning and itching 
  2. Slight bleeding in the vagina
  3. Pelvic pain
  4. Nausea and fever.

6.  Viral Viginitis

Viruses, spread by sexual contact is one of the common causes for viral vaginitis.

One of which is the herpes simplex virus or HSV. An infection cause by HS is often referred to as "herpes infection". The signs of a herpes infection are :-

  • Sensations of vagina burning
  • Sores on the vulva and inside the vagina

Another type of virus which cause viral viginitis is the human papilloma virus (HPV). It appears as vaginal warts. As the name imply, painful warts grow inside the vagina and rectum and on the vulva and groin. There is burning and itching of the vagina.

7.  Non-Infectious Vaginitis

Non-infectious vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina resulting in burning discharge, and itching. The cause is due to:-

  • Reduce in estrogen level associated with menopause, taking birth control pills and breast-feeding.
  • Allergies to chemical irritants in feminine wash, soaps, bubble baths and synthetic underwear

Vagina burning which is caused by allergies is less complicated. The discomfort will go off once you stop using the feminine health products which cause the irritation. And switch to cotton panties instead of wearing synthetic ones such as nylon.

Seek Medical Attention

But vaginal burning related to bacterial, fungal and viral infection is a lot more difficult to treat.

The burning is not an isolated problem by itself. There is soreness, discharge, odor and sometimes painful sex. And certain vaginal infections have over-lapping symptoms too.

Such conditions require immediate medical attention. See a gynecologist who can determine the specific causes of the burning and prescribe the right treatment.

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