Burning in the intimate area in women
Uncomfortable sensations arising in “delicate places” cause a lot of anxiety. Especially if an attack of itching has occurred in a public place. Burning in the intimate area in women is often explained by easily removable factors, and sometimes it is a symptom of one of several diseases, burning occurs both externally and internally. Before visiting a doctor, it makes sense to figure out what could cause unpleasant sensations.
Causes of burning in an intimate place in women
The main reason for which irritation occurs in the intimate area may be insufficient or incorrect skin care for tender places. For example, you find yourself in a situation where you can’t wash yourself with quality care: go camping, or go on a long trip. Wet sanitary napkins can help a woman cope with a problem. They will not replace water, but discomfort, burning and itching in an intimate place in women will be reduced.
If you are sure that itching in the perineum did not arise from insufficient self-care, and there was nothing to do with washing, then there are several options:
- allergy to soap or other detergent;
- linen rubs the skin;
- the genitals are damaged (due to depilation, the use of scrub, hair removal with a razor, irritation and itching occur);
- abuse of medications (violates the microflora of the vagina, which causes a burning sensation);
- chronic disease (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hepatitis);
- infection (chlamydia, genital herpes, trichomoniasis);
- fungal disease (candidiasis or thrush), bacterial vaginosis.
Irritation and acne
Before you sound the alarm, carefully analyze what your symptoms are, except for itching and burning. If you notice a noticeable irritation of the intimate area, and acne has appeared, consider them carefully. Purulent rashes of a red or cyanotic shade in the bikini area may indicate that the sebaceous glands are inflamed. If acne is white and its contents are light and watery, the cause is molluscum contagiosum. It is easy to “catch” in the pool. Rashes in the pubic area, bikini and anus are often signs of sexually transmitted diseases. Such acne is always accompanied by severe itching of the perineum.
Dryness and redness
Often, along with burning in the intimate area, women experience redness of the skin of the labia, a sensation of dryness in the vagina appears. This condition indicates that there is a fluctuation in estrogen levels in the body. This hormone is responsible for the blood supply to the vagina, the production of mucus, and the creation of an optimal acidic environment for the vaginal microflora.
Dryness in intimate places is caused by excessive physical exertion, a side effect of some drugs, improperly selected oral contraceptives. Alcohol, smoking, douching and even constant stress affect the natural female microflora. Dry vagina is also a sign of age-related changes, menopause, in this case, the doctor will advise ointments and suppositories on a hormonal basis, tell you how to moisten the intimate area. Now there are special moisturizers for daily use.
Pain during urination
These unpleasant sensations can experience both an adult woman and a girl. Cause of pains, pains, burning during urination is often cystitis. This means that an infection has entered the urethra. Microbes act on the walls of the bladder, they become inflamed, sharp pain appears. This ailment is often found in girls of preschool, primary school age, in adult women. A painful trip to the toilet is a reason for contacting a gynecologist, urologist. Microbes penetrate the genitourinary system in several ways:
- ascending, when the infection goes from bottom to top, this is due to non-observance of intimate hygiene;
- descending, then the inflammatory process comes from the kidneys;
- the ingestion of pathogens through the blood;
- spread of infection through the lymph (from the genitals of a woman).
Burning after sex
Often women complain to the gynecologist about itching, burning in the vagina after sex. This phenomenon has several possible causes. The most common is thrush (candidiasis), caused by Candida. If the tests confirm the presence of the disease, you will be prescribed a local antifungal drug. Treatment of thrush lasts about two weeks, and to prevent exacerbation, the course is prescribed not only to the patient, her partner will also have to take pills.
The cause of burning after intimate contact is an allergy to one of the components of the condom: latex, flavoring. A man is a participant in solving the problem, he will have to pick up something neutral, which is not an allergen for his partner. A woman is recommended to use restorative means to eliminate all symptoms.
Hygienic procedures and depilation shortly before proximity are another possible cause of discomfort after sex. The skin is already irritated, they have microcracks from shaving accessories, and there’s an additional traumatic factor. All together causes discomfort in an intimate place in women. Mild soothing, moisturizing ointments, creams or gels will help dry, damaged skin.
Discomfort before menstruation
Often, girls complain of itching and burning in the vagina shortly before menstruation. In some, the labia minora, clitoris periodically itch, and the dryness of the intimate zone is felt. If this is a constant occurrence, the cause may be hormonal changes. The level of estrogen before menstruation decreases, the microflora of the vagina is disturbed, an unpleasant burning sensation appears in the lower abdomen. Sometimes infectious diseases cause discomfort before menstruation, if there is a sensation of exacerbation, atypical soreness, previously unknown itching, then you need to go to the doctor.
During pregnancy
A woman is in an “altered state of the body” during pregnancy. Her hormonal background is being rebuilt, her usual way of eating is disturbed, and doctors prescribe drugs for better carrying the baby. All these factors accumulate, overlap each other, and one of them, or a combination of several, leads to discomfort in the genital area.
An allergy to foods or drugs can provoke a burning sensation in the intimate zone in pregnant women. A common cause of itching is stressful situations. The pregnant woman feels psychological discomfort, and, directly, at these moments she wants to itch. In the second half of the gestation period, itching and burning of the genitals are considered one of the manifestations of toxicosis. The likelihood of infection is also present.
After taking antibiotics
Itching in the vagina, burning in the genital area after a course of antibiotics are caused by dysbiosis. Medications that kill bacteria disrupt the natural flora of not only the intestines, but also the vagina. The body loses its natural defense against pathogenic pathogens, “bad” bacteria multiply actively, and vaginal dysbiosis occurs. His symptoms:
- burning and itching in the intimate area;
- unpleasant smelling discharge;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- burning, pain, itching when urinating.
What to treat
How to get rid of itching in an intimate place, a medical specialist will tell you. The causes of discomfort are different, and the treatment is individual. One will help relieve burning sensations by changing the means of intimate hygiene, while others will require medical intervention. If the tests showed that the itching is caused by infectious diseases, then antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. When the cause of burning is hormonal failure, you need to take special medications.
Ointments are considered an alternative to candles, but inferior to them in effectiveness. Gels, sprays, foams are called more gentle means of combating itching and burning. Compared to ointments, they are less effective. If the remedy is chosen by the woman incorrectly, this can aggravate the situation, intensify the itching. There are folk remedies for itching in the intimate zone. If the case is mild, then decoction of pharmacy chamomile and infusions of flowers help from burning and itching. They are filtered through a strainer and used for douching, exclusively in a warm form. Regardless of the diagnosis, gynecologists advise:
- several times a day to change linens, pads;
- do not use allergenic foods (spicy, salty, pickled);
- at the time of treatment, a woman should abandon sexual activity, visiting pools, public saunas, baths;
- avoid stress.