Vaginal Burning: 8 Causes, Treatment & Home Remedies
“Why is there a burning sensation in my vagina?”, “What’s causing my vagina to burn?” If your recent Google searches look like these, then you've arrived at the right spot! Sometimes, feeling an itch or irritation down there is common. However, a persistent burning sensation in vagina is something to be looked at and cared for. In some cases, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. Thus, understanding the causes and treatments of vaginal burning is important.
Before we get to it, here are some of the possible areas where one might experience vaginal burning:
- Labia – The inner or outer folds of your vulva region
- Clitoris – A small, sensitive part of the vagina present on the anterior end of the vulva.
- Vaginal opening – The muscular canal that begins from the cervix and extends upto the outside of the body.
Keep on reading to know the causes and a few home remedies for vulvar itching and burning.
What are the Causes Of Vaginal Burning?
1. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Experiencing a burning sensation in the vagina while urinating is sometimes related to urinary tract infection. It’s caused by bacteria that enter your bladder, urethra, or kidneys.
Associated Symptoms:
- Discomfort while urinating
- Cloudy urine with foul odour
- Red or light pink blood in urine
- Urgency to urinate frequently
- Pain in the stomach, back and pelvic region
Treatment: In case of UTI, you must consult a doctor. He will prescribe you a set of antibiotics or some other medications too. It’s likely that your infection will clear up in five days.
2. Bacterial Vaginosis
Another condition associated with vaginal burning is bacterial vaginosis. It’s caused due to bacterial imbalance in the vagina. Most women have little to no symptoms while developing this condition.
Associated Symptoms:
- Grey or white vaginal discharge
- Vaginal discharge with a foul odour, especially after intercourse
- Vaginal pain or irritation
Treatment: For a few women, this condition gets treated on its own. However, it’s always a good option to visit a doctor and get the treatment. In the case of untreated BV, there are chances of developing sexually transmitted diseases.
Coming to taking care of the discharge experienced during this condition, panty liners are your safest option. Try out the ALWAYS Extra Protect Panty Liners which come with odour-neutralising technology. The extra-long sizes keep you protected with extra coverage. They are also dermatologically tested and safe for your skin.
3. Yeast Infection
Research suggests that up to 75 percent of women tend to experience at least one episode of yeast infection in their life. It’s developed by the fungus called candidiasis which rapidly overgrows in your vagina when you have the yeast infection. This leads to vaginal burning and itching.
Associated Symptoms:
- Thick, cottage-cheese like white vaginal discharge
- Stinging vagina
- Sore vagina
- Pain during intercourse
Treatment: Doctors are likely to prescribe you antifungal oral or topical medications.
4. Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes vaginal burning and itching. The virus causing the disease tends to showcase mild symptoms which are not very evident. However, in severe cases, there are chances of developing painful sores, blisters, or ulcers.
Associated Symptoms:
- Swollen glands
- Change in vaginal discharge
- Flu-like symptoms
- Stinging vagina
Treatment: There’s no cure for genital herpes. However, your doctor can help you with antiviral medications to ease the symptoms.
5. Trichomoniasis
Popularly known as trich, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease. It’s noted that trich tends to affect women more than men. Women with trich tend to have little to no symptoms.
Associated Symptoms:
- Burning sensation in vagina
- Pain while urinating
- Soreness in the vagina
- Frothy discharge in white, yellow or green colour
- Pain in lower abdomen
Treatment: Doctors treat trich with the help of antibiotics.
6. Gonorrhoea
This is another STD that causes vaginal burning. Typically, people with gonorrhoea develop no symptoms. It’s only after an STD test that you come to know about the disease.
Associated Symptoms:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain while urinating
- Spotting between periods
Treatment: Gonorrhoea is treated with an antibiotic. Remember to follow the treatment properly as untreated gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and sometimes infertility.
7. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common STD caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Just like the rest of STDs, this too doesn’t cause any evident symptoms. One may experience a burning sensation in the vagina with abnormal discharge
Associated Symptoms:
- Unusual discharge
- Pain while urinating
- Spotting between periods
Treatment: Typically, antibiotics are used to treat this condition. But consulting a doctor is a must. If left untreated, chlamydia can damage your reproductive organs, thereby affecting your fertility.
8. Menopause
As you enter your menopause, the oestrogen levels tend to drop. This results in vaginal burning, especially after having intercourse.
Associated Symptoms:
- Night sweats
- Hot flushes
- Reduced libido
- Insomnia
- Vaginal dryness
- Headaches
Treatment: The doctor might prescribe you oestrogen supplements or hormone therapy. However, these treatments are not meant for everyone. So, make sure to speak to your doctor and get all your doubts cleared.
In addition to these reasons, one might also experience vaginal burning due to irritants like harsh cleansers, soaps, bubble baths and even scented menstrual pads or tampons. Thus, it’s best to avoid harsh soap and wash your vagina with normal water, when needed.
When it comes to practising the best menstrual hygiene, using safe menstrual pads or tampons is important. Try out the ALWAYS Platinum Ultra Thin Pads which have a gel-based extra absorbent core that locks the discharge effortlessly. Its soft non-woven top-sheet delivers the best protection and comfort. Likewise, its odour neutralising technology keeps you fresh!
For tampon lovers, the ALWAYS Tampax Cardboard Tampons is a great option. It has an innovative absorbent core that soaks the discharge and keeps you well-protected. Its protective skirt minimises the risk of leakage and the anti-slip grip provides easy insertion.
What are Home Remedies For Vulvar Itching And Burning?
While your doctor helps you with the right treatment, here’s what you can do as a part of home remedies for vulvar itching and burning:
1. Using a cold pad:
Ask your doctor if you could apply a cold pack on the affected area to soothe the discomfort
2. Applying petroleum jelly:
You can also ask your medical practitioner if you can use petroleum jelly to safeguard the irritated skin. This is one of the home remedies for vulvar itching and burning that helps soothe the skin with ease.
3. Wearing cotton panties:
Tight fitted panties can often cause sweat and itching down there. Thus, it’s always a great option to opt for soft, cotton panties which are breathable for the skin.
4. Stay away from harsh cleansers:
Among the various home remedies for vulvar itching and burning, this one is easy to practice. Harsh cleanser used on panties tend to disrupt your vaginal pH levels and lead to itching.
Takeaway
Most of the time, vaginal burning tends to go away on its own. However, it’s important to visit a doctor and get it checked. Once your doctor detects what’s causing a burning sensation in the vagina, he can easily help you with the right treatment. This enables you to cancel out any further complications associated with vaginal burning.
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Disclaimer:
Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Always is committed to ensuring that all of our products meet rigorous safety standards; Always pads prioritize safety, protection and comfort of its consumers.