Introduction
Burning in the genital area is by no means a rarity and occurs at least once in the life of many women but also men. Burning can be a tingling sensation with a slight permanent burning and itching on the outside of the genitals or at the entrance to the vagina. Another form of burning is the stinging burning sensation when urinating in the urethra. In most cases, both forms indicate an inflammation, which can have various causes, forms and courses.
Causes
Behind a burning sensation in the genital area can be dermatological diseases (skin diseases), mechanical irritation, injuries and chronic diseases. However, the most common cause of unpleasant burning is inflammation caused by the pathogen. Inflammations in the genital area can have very different causes and can be located in different places.
The genital area usually includes the vulva with its mons veneris and labia, but also the vaginal entrance. This area is characterised by the fact that it consists mainly of sensitive mucous membrane and is covered with acid vaginal mucus with pH values of about 5. At the same time, the intimate area is increasingly exposed to germs, for example faecal germs and mechanical stimuli, for example during sexual intercourse.
If pain, itching or burning during or after sexual intercourse occurs frequently, a clarification by the gynaecologist must be carried out urgently in any case. Pathogens that cause so-called “vulvitis”, inflammation of the vulva, penetrate through the anus, during sexual intercourse, by scratching, increased sweating or due to excessive intimate hygiene to the mucous membrane and trigger the inflammation there. Although the low ph-value of the vagina prevents the majority of infections, the pathogens can still settle in the mucous membrane by causing minor mucous membrane damage or washing the intimate area with conventional soaps.
Non-infectious causes can also lead to itching and burning in the genital area. More rarely, chronic skin diseases are behind it. Neurodermatitis or lichen sclerosus are among the causes of these complaints of the vulva and vagina.
These diseases appear to develop without a cause and can often only be suppressed but not cured. In the case of burning pain, mechanical irritation must be considered as a last resort. Sexual intercourse, the use of sex toys, the wearing of certain textiles, the use of creams that are not suitable for the intimate area, and careless intimate shaving can all irritate the intimate area and trigger a burning sensation.
Stress can affect health in several ways and trigger a wide range of symptoms. Severe stress can be physical or psychological and can affect night sleep, the cardiovascular system and the immune system through various mechanisms. Stress also influences vaginal health.
In addition to a generally slightly reduced immune defence, stress can also reduce the formation of lactic acid bacteria to protect the vagina. Through this reduced pathogen defence, bacteria, viruses and fungi can be fought less effectively and nestle in the vaginal mucosa. Subsequently, however, vulvitis can also lead to “colpitis”, vaginal inflammation or inflammation of the urinary tract. Inflammations of the urinary tract and bladder can also become noticeable by a burning sensation in the intimate area.
