Causes of vaginal burning commonly include infections, irritation, or hormonal changes. Home remedies may offer relief, but some causes require medical attention.
Yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis) happen when there’s an overgrowth of yeast in your vagina.
In addition to vaginal burning, symptoms include:
- Itching
- Pain
- Redness
- Soreness
- Swelling of the labia
- Unusual discharge that might look like cottage cheese
It’s normal to have bacteria in your vagina. However, you may develop bacterial vaginosis (BV) from bacterial overgrowth.
Besides vaginal burning, BV may cause symptoms like:
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Inflammation (reddening of the genital area)
- Irritation
Trichomoniasis (trich) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), meaning it’s spread during sexual activity. It’s caused by a parasite named Trichomonas vaginalis.
Trich may cause vaginal burning or itching. Other symptoms can include:
- Green-yellow, bubbly discharge that has a bad odor
- Pain when peeing
- Painful sex
- More frequent urination
- Lower abdominal (belly) pain
Gonorrhea is an STI caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It may cause burning and pain when you pee.
Other symptoms of gonorrhea include:
- Bleeding
- Fever
- Painful sex
- Severe lower abdominal pain
- Sore throat
- Unusual vaginal discharge that smells bad
Chlamydia is an STI caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. Like gonorrhea, chlamydia may cause burning when you pee.
Chlamydia may also cause symptoms like:
- Bleeding after sex
- Pain or discharge from your rectum
- Painful sex
- Unusual vaginal discharge
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is an STI that may cause painful ulcers on the vagina or the labia.
Some people may not have any symptoms. If you develop symptoms, some of the most common include:
- Burning when peeing
- A general feeling of tiredness
- Fever
- Headache.
HSV is a lifelong virus that can stay inactive in cells. Symptoms may occur at any time.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria build up in the bladder, kidneys, or urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body).
If you have a UTI, you may have pain while peeing—usually described as a burning feeling. You may also have:
- Blood in your urine
- Frequent urge to pee
- Inability to hold your urine
- Pressure in your belly
An allergy or sensitivity to any product that makes contact with your genitals may cause vaginal burning. These include soaps, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners.
Products used inside the vagina, like vaginal sprays, spermicides, and douches, may cause vaginal burning. You might also have itching, redness, and pain.
The hormone estrogen is responsible for vaginal lubrication (wetness). When estrogen declines, you may have vaginal dryness. This can lead to irritation and a burning feeling.
Estrogen drops significantly during menopause (when your period has permanently stopped). People can have drops in estrogen in the years leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause.
Estrogen also declines after pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
If you have vaginal burning, you likely want relief as soon as possible.
Strategies that may decrease vaginal burning include:
- Ask a doctor if taking an antihistamine (medication for allergies) might help.
- Avoid cleaning products (e.g., laundry detergent, soaps, fabric softeners).
- Consider alternative birth control options to spermicide.
- Place cold compresses or ice packs on your genital area.
- Stop douching or using any type of vaginal spray.
- Take a sitz bath or an oatmeal bath, or use a water bottle to squeeze lukewarm water on your genital area.
- Use pain relievers like Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen).
- Wear clean, breathable cotton underwear.
Vaginal burning is not normal and warrants a visit to a doctor.
Seek medical care if you have vaginal burning with symptoms like:
- Itching or redness in your genital area
- Sores on your genitals
- Unusual discharge that smells bad
A doctor will likely examine your vagina and the surrounding area, including your vulva (external genital area). They may look at your vaginal discharge and take a sample for diagnosis.
Depending on the cause, you may need medical treatment to relieve vaginal burning. This may include antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral medications for infections.
Vaginal estrogen creams, lubricants, or moisturizers help hydrate the vagina. They can treat vaginal burning related to hormonal changes and vaginal dryness.
Tips to prevent vaginal burning include:
- Avoid wearing tight clothing around your genitals, like pantyhose, tight underwear, or tight pants, especially if you are prone to yeast infections.
- Dry your genital area after bathing.
- Keep your genital area clean by washing with warm water or unscented soap.
- Never douche or use vaginal sprays, which kill healthy vaginal bacteria and cause irritation.
- Practice safe sex, using condoms with new partners.
- Wear cotton underwear that’s breathable and not too tight.
- Wipe from the front to the back after peeing or having a bowel movement.
