Brief overview
- Treatment: depending on cause and pathogen, e.g. antibiotics, antifungal agents, probiotics
- Causes: Infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses or protozoa.
- When to see a doctor? As soon as possible when symptoms appear
- Diagnosis: Anamnesis, gynecological examination, smear test, laboratory examination.
- Prevention: contraception with condom, correct intimate hygiene
What is burning in the vagina?
Burning in the vagina is a symptom that is usually due to infection and inflammation in the intimate area. In these cases, the vaginal flora, a natural defense system against germs, is usually out of balance.
Often the burning sensation in the vagina is only one of many symptoms. It also occurs in combination with pain during sex or vaginal itching. One of the examples with very unpleasant itching plus burning in the vagina is vaginal fungus.
How to treat burning in the vagina?
As a rule, burning in the vagina results from an infection with a pathogen. Depending on the type of pathogen, different remedies are used. Against a fungus, a fungicide is prescribed, which is usually introduced into the vagina as a tablet, in addition to a topical application in the form of an ointment on the burning vaginal area. Bacteria and protozoa are fought with appropriate antibiotics.
Against viruses, treatment is more difficult. Genital herpes, for example, can only be mitigated in the outbreak – there is no cure. Anyone who is infected once must expect burning in the vagina as a result of an outbreak for the rest of their life.
How to treat burning in the vagina with home remedies?
Rebuilding the vaginal flora: There are preparations, so-called probiotics, which specifically introduce lactic acid bacteria into the vagina. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) may also help locally to rebuild the vaginal flora. Some women apply yogurt, vinegar or lemon water locally, but their effect has not been medically proven.
Sitz baths: Particularly in the case of inflammation in the genital area and burning in the vagina, some sufferers feel relief from a sitz bath with chamomile extract.
Home remedies have their limits. If the symptoms persist over a longer period of time, do not improve or even get worse, you should always consult a doctor.
What are the causes?
Likewise, psychological factors such as stress affect vaginal health in some women. Vaginal burning occurs both due to irritation (for example, during sex) or permanently.
Burning in the vagina caused by bacteria
In most cases of vaginal infections, certain bacteria take over in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis) and cause unpleasant symptoms there, such as burning, itching or discharge.
Bacteria as a cause of burning in the vagina can often be recognized by the fishy smell of the discharge. The color of the secretion is usually whitish-greyish. In addition, the pH of the vagina is increased, that is, less acidic. In addition to classic vaginosis, there are numerous bacteria that first enter a woman’s intimate area through unprotected sexual intercourse.
Bacteria that occur in the normal vaginal flora
Streptococcus: This type of bacteria occurs normally on the skin and mucous membranes. With an intact immune defense, an infection is normally prevented. If the natural environment of the vagina is disturbed, there is a risk of infection and burning in the vagina. This is favored by improper intimate hygiene, diabetes, estrogen deficiency (for example, in girls before sexual maturity) and foreign bodies in the vagina. The discharge takes on a greenish-yellow color.
Staphylococcus: Particularly in the outer areas of the vagina, there are sometimes inflamed hair follicles or sweat glands that are infected with Staphylococcus aureus. These infections sometimes migrate into deeper tissue layers and trigger boils or carbuncles there.
Bacteria transmitted during sexual intercourse
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea/ gonorrhea): Gonorrhea is one of the sexually transmitted diseases. It causes inflammation in the intimate area. In many cases, the infection does not cause any symptoms in women. However, sometimes there is burning during urination or vaginal burning and purulent discharge.
Mycoplasma: This is a genus of particularly small, cell-wall-less bacteria that parasitically infect other cells (or bacteria). In particular, the pathogen Mycoplasma hominis is associated with bacterial vaginosis.
Burning in the vagina caused by fungi
People with immune deficiency (for example with AIDS or diabetes) are also susceptible to fungal infections.
In addition to the burning vagina, a fungal infection is mainly noticeable by an unpleasant itching in the intimate area. In addition, there is sometimes pain when urinating. The discharge is usually white to yellowish and crumbly – it resembles cottage cheese in consistency.
Burning in the vagina due to viruses
Some viruses also attack the vaginal flora and thus cause inflammation as well as vaginal itching and burning. These include, in particular:
Human papilloma viruses (HPV): Certain subtypes of HPV cause genital genital warts, but most women experience little discomfort. However, some feel an itching or burning sensation in the vagina.
Burning in the vagina due to protozoa
In addition to bacteria, fungi and viruses, there is another variant of microorganisms that sometimes run rampant in the intimate area: Protozoa with a nucleus (bacteria, for example, do not have one). The most important representative is called Trichomonas vaginalis. In addition to the burning sensation in the vagina, the sharp-smelling discharge, which is often yellowish-green and foamy, is characteristic of an infection.
Burning in the vagina due to incorrect intimate hygiene and allergies
The vaginal flora has a natural balance. With excessive intimate hygiene or normal soap as well as perfumed products, this is disturbed. Occasionally, a foreign body (for example, a tampon) is also forgotten in the vagina and facilitates an infection of the vagina. An allergy to certain intimate cleansing products or detergents is also a possible cause.
Burning in the vagina after sex
Occasionally, the vagina is not moist enough during sex, and the tissue becomes irritated from the friction, leaving a burning sensation in the vagina – especially when the irritated skin later comes into contact with the acidic urine during urination.
Burning in the vagina due to urinary tract infection
A burning sensation in the vagina during urination can often be traced back to a urinary tract infection or cystitis. In this case, germs colonize the urinary tract and trigger an inflammatory reaction there. This leads to pain and a frequent urge to urinate.
Burning in the vagina during pregnancy
The hormonal changes during pregnancy often cause the vaginal environment to become unbalanced. This in turn favors infections, so that burning in the vagina occurs.
Burning in the vagina with no apparent cause
When to see a doctor?
Burning vagina is very unpleasant for those affected. Precisely because so many different triggers and pathogens are possible, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible – especially if the symptoms occur suddenly and persist. This is because the causes can usually be treated well and the symptoms alleviated.
How is vaginal burning diagnosed?
Anyone who is bothered by vaginal itching or burning is well advised to consult a gynecologist. He or she will ask a few questions at the beginning about the occurrence and severity of the symptoms. These include information about your love life, whether you have had unprotected intercourse or changed partners. This gives the doctor the first clues as to what may be behind the burning sensation in the vagina. Honest answers are therefore very important for the correct diagnosis.
Another sample is sent for laboratory examination. Cultures of the bacteria are prepared there and the exact bacteria responsible for the symptoms are examined. Although such a test always takes a few days, it has the advantage that it is then possible to take targeted action against the causative agent.
How can burning in the vagina be prevented?
Sexually transmitted pathogens can only be prevented from spreading by protected sexual intercourse. Especially with new or changing sexual partners, contraception with a condom is indicated.
An intact vaginal flora is also advantageous to prevent infections. Since the environment in the intimate area is also influenced by psychological factors such as stress, relaxation techniques may have a preventive effect.
- Clean vagina daily with water
- Do not use vaginal douches, intimate sprays or intimate care products
- Change underwear and towels regularly
- In general, do not use other people’s (used) towels
- Maintain an acidic vaginal environment
- Change wet bathing clothes immediately after bathing if possible
- When going to the toilet, always pass the toilet paper from front to back, never the other way round.
- Clothes that are too tight and too much synthetic material in textiles irritate the skin of the vagina.
- When using panty liners, make sure they are breathable.
