Gynecology And Obstetrics-

Burning sensation during or after intercourse

introduction

Burning sensations during or after sexual intercourse is uncomfortable for everyone and can have a variety of causes. Some of these causes can be harmless, while others can be dangerous and cause permanent damage.

Therefore, every burning sensation should be professionally clarified promptly through a medical examination and a detailed search for the cause.

Read more about this under: Burning in the genital area

The main causes of burning during / after intercourse

With the woman

Bacterial infections

The most common cause of the burning sensation during / after intercourse is vaginal infection. Such infections are usually favored by an imbalance in the vaginal flora, for example changes in the pH value due to excessive or incorrect intimate hygiene with conventional soaps.

E.g. the clinical picture of "vaginosis" arise, in which the natural bacteria of the vaginal flora (Lactic acid-producing Döderlein bacteria) are present in too few numbers and the pathogen "Trichomonas vaginalis“Can multiply unhindered.

But other pathogens, such as fungi, should also be considered as a cause. A fungal infection through Candida albicans is a common cause. It is also caused by a flora imbalance and can be attributed to poor hygiene, hormonal changes, antibiotics or cortisone administration.
Read more about this under: Candidiasis

A previous antibiotic therapy can also be the cause, which in addition to the pathogens actually to be combated, also destroys the vaginal bacterial environment. Fungal infections are often associated with itching.

Last but not least, shaving with too sharp blades or an unsuitable conventional razor can be a cause. On the one hand, because the blades can cause microtraumas to the skin. On the other hand, because a reused wet razor, which is also stored in a warm, damp shower, is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. Here, too, the conventional intimate hygiene measures apply.

Other infectious causes can be sexually transmitted diseases, above all the trichomonads already mentioned, as well as gonorrhea, syphilis (hard chancre) and chlamydia. The latter, however, are often accompanied by pain, foul-smelling discharge, and other more specific symptoms.
Read more about this under: Chlamydial infection

Viral infections

Viral causes such as genital herpes should also be considered. The latter would also be noticeable with a feeling of tension, swollen lymph nodes in the groin and later herpes-typical blisters in the genital region.

A common urinary tract infection should also be considered. However, there is a high probability that this would also be accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating and possibly with pelvic pain and could therefore be more easily distinguished from other causes.
Read more about this under: Cystitis

In older postmenopausal women, a lack of the hormone estrogen can cause changes in the lining of the vagina and consequent burning or painful feelings during / after intercourse.

Regardless of age, poor lubrication (“getting wet”) should be mentioned as the cause of burning. Here, social and psychological factors can be carefully examined in each case.
Read more on this topic at: Insufficient vaginal moistening (lubrication) - therapy and prognosis

When using foreign bodies or substances during sexual intercourse, allergens in condoms, lubricants or so-called toys can cause allergic reactions in the mucous membrane. These could then also be accompanied by itching and would have an abrupt onset of symptoms that is temporally related to the use of foreign bodies.

Read about this topic under: Burning vagina - these are the causes

You might also be interested in this topic: Ovulation pain

With the man

The causes of a burning sensation in the genitals in men are of a similar genesis as that in women. Infections in particular are the main cause of burning sensations in the limb during or after sexual intercourse.

The responsible pathogens can be, for example, chlamydia, which can usually be asymptomatic in men, or gonococci (corresponding disease: gonorrhea, colloquially also "gonorrhea"). If there is a corresponding skin change, syphilis should be considered (so-called "hard chancre").
Read more about this under: Syphilis and You can recognize a chlamydial infection in men by these symptoms

A common urinary tract infection can also cause a burning sensation. You should also watch out for any blood in the urine, pelvic pain and / or fever.
Read more about this under: Urinary tract infection - peculiarities in men

However, as in women, a herpes infection of the genitals can be accompanied by a burning sensation. At the same time, itching, swollen inguinal lymph nodes and, later, pain with cold sores appeared.

Last but not least, inflammation of the glans can also come into play through a narrowing of the foreskin. This would also be associated with pain during or after intercourse and can easily be examined and determined by the person concerned.

An infection with the fungus Candida albicans occurs less often in men than in women, but it is also a notable cause. It can either have been transmitted through sexual intercourse or it can be traced back to a previous administration of antibiotics or cortisone.

Similar to women, infections are promoted by perfumed or aggressive soaps and shower gels. If these get into the urethra, they can irritate the sensitive mucous membrane. Such a sensitive reaction to fragrances can also be of an allergic origin. This would then be called "contact eczema" and look out for the reddish skin changes that are typical of eczema.

Such an allergic reaction can also result from latex or other condom or lubricant components. Particularly warming lubricants that contain the substance capsaicin have a mild burning sensation as the desired effect and can lead to a hypersensitivity reaction.
That could be interesting for you too: Latex allergy

Inflammation of the glans ("Ballanitis“Called) triggered by medication. This inflammation is also accompanied by a burning sensation, but mainly with pain. The triggering drugs can be:

Paracetamol
Salicylates
Phenolphthalein
The tetracycline group of antibiotics.

Other aggressive or rare sexual practices, such as objectophilia or inserting objects into the urethra, usually lead to trauma and irritation of the (mucus) skin.

Under the term Symptomatic balanitis Various diseases can be summarized, the main complaints of which are burning and pain in the glans penis and can also be related to sexual intercourse:

Psoriasis (psoriasis)
Lichen planus (Rose lichen)
Behcet's disease
Erythema exudativum multiforme
Diabetic balanitis (associated with diabetes mellitus, the "sugar disease")
Pemphigus vulgaris
Scarring Pemphiguid (the latter two are also associated with itchy blistering).

Read more about this: Acorn burns - what is the cause?

♀ What can you do?

The first thing to do is to clarify the exact cause. First and foremost, a visit to the doctor is sufficient (Trusted general practitioner) or to the gynecologist.

Until then, it is advisable not to have intercourse and not to introduce any foreign bodies into the vagina, as this will further irritate the damaged mucous membrane and manipulate any rising infections (e.g. Cervicitis - inflammation of the cervix or Adnexitis - Inflammation of the fallopian tubes).

If one suspects a bacterial imbalance oneself, one could also examine the intimate hygiene measures and switch to a soap-free intimate washing lotion whose acidic pH value supports that of the vagina. Until the exact cause of the burning sensation has been determined, one should refrain from independently getting funds from the pharmacy.
Women who are aware of the signs of vaginal thrush after taking antibiotics can of course make an exception and try to cure the fungus independently (in consultation with the pharmacist).
Read more about it: What drugs are there for vaginal thrush?

Those affected could also drink women's mantle tea or a chamomile seat bath.

If bacterial infections are found, an antibiotic will be prescribed by the appropriate doctor.

If the problem is estrogen deficiency in older women, an ointment containing estrogen can be applied locally or - if the treatment of other symptoms of menopause is desired at the same time - an estrogen tablet can be recommended.

If the person concerned is generally known to have a low level of lubrication ("getting wet"), a suitable lubricant must be found in consultation with the gynecologist or other measures should be considered (mental problems).
You can find more detailed information on this topic at: Insufficient vaginal moistening (lubrication) - therapy and prognosis

♂ What can you do?

If the man can attribute the burning sensation to the use of certain substances or practices, it is important to refrain from using them (for example change lubricant etc..). It should also be communicated with the sexual partner whether the other person is known to have sexually transmitted diseases or whether they have similar symptoms.

First and foremost, however, it is important to see a doctor and openly describe your symptoms.

In the meantime, the affected person can use correct hygiene measures to support this (Use pH neutral soap, do not use aggressive alkalis with an increased pH value!) and if a sexually transmitted disease is suspected (HOURS) either stop intercourse or use a condom during sex.

Manipulating the limb or applying conventional over-the-counter ointments and creams should be avoided. Due to their perfumes and additives, these could only further irritate the previously damaged skin and even cause reinfection later if the hygienic handling is incorrect (a second infection).

Other accompanying symptoms

Pain during / after intercourse

Pain during sexual intercourse is grouped under the term "dyspareunia". In combination with a burning sensation, the dyspareunia suggests an inflammatory process. They should be all the more a motivation to have the underlying cause clarified promptly by a doctor.

Read more about this under: Painful intercourse

Itching during / after intercourse

Itching in combination with burning sensation during or after sexual intercourse is most likely to indicate an allergic, hypersensitive and highly inflammatory process. Autoimmune diseases of the skin and mucous membranes are also rare (Diseases from the pemphigus group).

Regardless of how severe the itchiness is, it should not be indulged, as scratching or rubbing the genitals will only worsen the inflammation.

In the case of sexually transmitted diseases, too, in addition to the burning sensation, severe itching can occur as a further symptom.

Read more about this under: Itching in the vagina - symptoms vs. therapy

Burning sensation after fungal infection

If a burning sensation occurs during or after sexual intercourse after a known fungal infection has already been identified and treated, this indicates that the therapy was not successful.

Another therapy with the same antifungal agent (Antifungal agents) necessary, but in a higher dose or another fungus or generally a different pathogen must be considered.

It is also possible that the fungal infection has healed, but the mucous membrane has not yet “recovered” completely and intercourse has started again too early. Here you can refer to the attending physician who, depending on the extent of the disease, e.g. Inflammation, can indicate how long you should abstain even after therapy.

Read more about this under: Treatment of vaginal thrush

Burning sensation during / after sexual intercourse during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the female body is subject to a large number of hormonal changes that can, for example, promote the occurrence of a fungal infection.

Regardless of the genesis of the burning sensation as a symptom, the person affected should urgently have this clarified by a doctor.

As already mentioned, some pathogens that are primarily localized in the vulva or vagina can ascend into the inner genital area or abdomen and under certain circumstances even lead to losses and miscarriages. Apart from this warning, reference is made to the general possible causes in women.

Burning sensation during intercourse after caesarean section

The caesarean section is both a physically and emotionally drastic measure for the female body.

Psychological factors such as depression and adjustment disorders, diseases from the somatoform (psychosomatic) Form circle for insufficient lubrication ("getting wet") and causing a burning sensation during or after sexual intercourse.
Further information on this topic can be found at: Insufficient vaginal moistening - therapy and prognosis

However, structural conditions during an operation can also be considered separately as causes here. For example, a single urine catheterization may have caused or promoted a urinary tract infection.

Or disinfectant or material components came into contact with the genitals before or during the birth process, which led to a subsequent burning sensation via various mechanisms, be it irritation, allergy, inflammation etc.

Above all, however, one should warn against underestimating the symptom, since here too, similar to pregnancy, the burning sensation as a symptom may have been caused by an infection and must be clarified.

Care should be taken here, especially with a surgical wound such as that of a caesarean section.