Burning After Sex: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Sex should be pleasurable, enjoyable, and fun. 

But it’s not always that simple. 

Some people have a burning feeling, which makes intimacy downright taxing. 

At some point, the pubic region develops stinging or burning after sex. 

All of that discomfort can make your mind come up with the worst-case scenarios.

The truth is many things can cause penile and vaginal burning after sex. 

And most of them are harmless. 

To put your mind at ease, we compiled a practical guideline on pain after sex that can answer all your queries, including ways to treat and soothe the pain.

What is burning after sex?

The painful burning after sex is a type of dyspareunia. Dyspareunia is genital pain that people can develop during, before, or after sex. The uncomfortable irritation and burning sensation can drastically impact a patient’s mental and physical health and quality of life. 

According to 2022 reports, the prevalence of dyspareunia ranges from 3% to 18% around the globe (1). It can occur in 10% to 28% of the population. This condition has different categories, such as:

• Superficial or deep – Superficial dyspareunia only affects the entrance of the vagina. In men, this pain can develop in the early or all phases of sexual contact. Deep dyspareunia happens due to deeper penetration.
• Primary or secondary – With primary dyspareunia, the pain starts at the beginning of the sex. Whereas with secondary dyspareunia, the aches start shortly after having painless intercourse. 

People who struggle with post-coital pain and skin burning can also experience sexual difficulties. This includes lack of arousal or sexual desire. 

This is entirely normal, considering the discomfort and aches. But, it can take a toll on your sexual or romantic relationships.

Symptoms

The burning after sex can come from rough sex. Especially without enough lubrication. But, it could also be a structural or psychological problem. 

If you have painful sex, you can feel:

• Aching or burning pain
• Pain with each penetration (even with tampon use)
• Pain just at sexual entry
• Throbbing or stabbing pain

This is a distinct type of pain that can affect a single area or the entire genital region. It goes beyond feeling warm and leads to discomfort, throbbing, or burning sensations. 

One study evaluated the duration and impact of pain symptoms after or during sex (2). 

The results showed that pain after sex was more common than pain during penetration. During penetration, the pain lasted about a minute. Patients described it as bursting, incisive, or sharp pain.

In contrast, pain after sex lasted around 2 hours. Those affected described it as smarting or burning pain. Roughly 70% of women had post-coital pain during urination.

11 causes in men

There are multiple reasons why burning after sex can develop. In men, some of these causes include: 

Insufficient lubrication 

Lack of lubrication, followed by rough sex, can cause tears in the foreskin. You may not notice it at first, but it can be painful. 

Prostatitis 

People want to know about burns when you ejaculate. Swelling of the prostate can lead to burning sensations after or during sex. Some men might also develop burning when they pee or ejaculate.

Penis irritation 

Specific fungal infections, sexually transmitted diseases, psoriasis, or eczema can irritate the penis. Skin irritation can cause burning sensations. 

Allergic reaction 

Men can also develop a rash, irritation, or itching from an allergic reaction. Some chemicals in perfumes, creams, and soaps could cause a reaction. 

Men could also be sensitive to latex condoms. Latex allergies can trigger burning sensations.

Foreskin inflammation 

Because of an inflamed foreskin, patients can experience irritation and itching. They can also develop swelling, tenderness, and discoloration. All of these factors can affect their sex life. 

Peyronie disease 

This disease happens when scar tissue piles up in the penis. This scar tissue forces the organ to take a sharp curve upward or to the side during an erection. This can make the penis feel sore after or during intercourse. 

Genital warts or herpes 

In men, warts can appear on the shaft or tip of the penis, around the anus, or on the scrotum. They can cause itching, discomfort, and aches. Herpes can also cause itching and pain.

Trauma to the penis 

Any injury, whether a fracture or minor injury, can cause trauma to the penis. Blood could build up under the skin, which is why the penis can become bruised or swollen. This can lead to burning sensations.

Uncomfortable sexual position 

When trying different sex positions, it is important to be extra careful and avoid any penile damage. Some sexual positions can be painful or intensify the pain, especially with a hurt penis. 

Urethritis 

With an inflamed urethra, men could have pain with masturbation and sex. There is also pain with the passing of urine.

Psychological factors 

A person’s state of mind can cause pain or burning after sex. Distress and anxiety, past sexual trauma, and relationship problems can make a man unconsciously tense and less likely to enjoy sex. 

9 causes in women

Vaginal burning sensation can be very uncomfortable. But, the impact will vary based on what’s causing the problem. 

Here are some of the most typical causes of burning after sex in female patients.

Lack of foreplay 

The vagina releases natural lubrication when it is aroused. Both mental and physical stimulation can help. But, if a woman is not in the mood, then penetration can be uncomfortable, especially if you don’t use lubrication.

Vaginal dryness 

More than 50% of postmenopausal women 51 years or older experience mild or severe vaginal dryness. At the same time, about 17% of premenopausal women have this exact same problem. 

This could be triggered by hormonal changes or medication. When the vagina is too dry, any forceful or continuous penetration can trigger burning sensations. (3)

Hormones 

Many women experience a burning sensation after their period. That’s because the hormones for the next cycle are ramping up. 

So, it’s not unusual for the vagina to feel a little dry. Without the flow and the hormones not maintaining enough natural lubrication, the dryness can make the vagina feel like it is burning. This should last a day or two. 

Pubic shaving 

A razor burn on the vagina can feel uncomfortable. It is easy to inflame and hurt the damaged skin after shaving. That’s because the skin rubbing during sex causes heavy friction. 

Friction sores on vagina 

Wounds in the vulva or vagina can happen from sex, friction, hair removal, or tight-fitted clothing. 

Irritation from sanitary pads and underwear fabric can also happen. Female friction sores are very uncomfortable and painful. 

Vaginal infection 

The burning sensation before or during menstruation could be from a candida infection. Urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia can all lead to vaginal burning and irritation. 

With bladder infection, sex can be uncomfortable, as the infection irritates the tissues. Plus, the overgrowth of bacteria can cause a bad-smelling discharge.

Skin irritants 

Any lube, condom, or chemical can harm the vaginal tissue. If you are allergic to lubricants, some ingredients in perfume, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, or anything else you might be using, then you can feel a burning sensation after sex. 

Sperm allergy 

Sperm allergies are a very rare allergic reaction to the proteins in men’s semen. It can lead to pain, swelling, redness, burning sensations, and itching in the vagina. These symptoms often occur 10 to 30 minutes after the tissues come in contact with the semen. 

Fear-based reaction 

Any type of previous trauma can make the pelvic floor muscles tighten. Other psychological factors can also have a drastic impact, such as depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, etc. 

This muscle tightening makes penetration feel very painful and it can sometimes feel like burning. 

Can lubricant cause burning?

Why does lube burn? Lubricants can increase sexual pleasure and ease pain from penetration. 

But, some people are allergic to it, so they can experience penile or vaginal pain and burning. If your lube burns, try using a different one. 

There are three types of lubes on the market. You can get water, oil, or silicone-based products. Most condoms (80%) consist of rubber latex. Condoms burn if you are allergic to latex or the spermicidal lube on the condom. (4)

If you notice vaginal burning after using a condom, try using latex-free condoms. To avoid condom burns, you can use polyisoprene condoms, polyurethane condoms, female condoms, and lambskin condoms. 

Why does Vagisil burn?

Vagisil cream burns if it’s not for you. People can react differently to medical products. So, if your skin reacts to it, then talk to your doctor. 

What are the complications of burning after sex?

If you don’t get treatment for the burning during intercourse, the pain and fear of the pain can cause anxiety. This anxiety can get in the way of your sex life. 

Without treatment, dyspareunia can lead to tearing and inflammation of the penile and vaginal tissues. So, it is important to talk to a specialist.  

Complications will vary depending on what’s causing the problem. For example, complications from an untreated UTI can cause kidney damage, narrowed urethra, repeated infections, etc. 

When should you see a doctor for burning after sex?

If the penile or vaginal burning happens once, then you can manage it with lubrication and foreplay. 

But, if there is an underlying cause, like an infection or allergy, it is best to book an appointment at your local sexual health clinic. 

Talk to a specialist if the pain is becoming unbearable or getting worse. A gynecologist specializes in treating female reproductive tract problems. If you have penile problems, you can start with a primary healthcare provider. They can then refer you to a urologist. 

What are the possible treatments for burning after sex?

To treat the burning pain, doctors need to take care of the underlying cause. For example, infections like UTIs or an STD needs antibiotic therapy. 

When dealing with a burning sensation in the pelvis, it’s important to get on-time treatment. The burning sensation after intercourse can subside with lotions, creams, or anesthetic gels. Some of the most popular fast-acting creams for instant soothing and cooling is Vagisil.

Home remedies for relief

Want to improve your intimate health at home? You can try to:

• Apply ice to the affected area
• Use OTC pain relievers
• Postpone penetrative sex
• Get longer foreplay

How can you prevent burning after sex?

Burning right after intercourse can feel very uncomfortable. To reduce the risk of sex-related infections, use a condom. 

For better comfort, wear organic cotton underwear. Thanks to its breathable qualities and sweat-absorbent properties, it can protect the penis and vagina from irritation and recurrent rashes. 

If you are struggling with burning during arousal, talk to a doctor. You might need to use gentle strokes to stimulate the vagina or penis. Avoid rough sex to minimize friction. 

People also use over-the-counter cranberry supplements, extracts, and cranberry juice to prevent UTIs. But, more research is necessary to study the full effect of these products.

Lastly, don’t forget to start drinking a lot more water. This way, you can keep your energy levels high and hydrate the body. 

Conclusion

Sex shouldn’t hurt. It should be enjoyable and pleasurable for both sides. In some cases, men and women can experience burning, pain, and discomfort after intercourse. 

In order to find the right treatment, it’s important to figure out the cause. Many things can lead to penile or vaginal burning after sex. These include lack of natural lubrication, allergies, irritation, inflammation, etc. Talk to a doctor if the pain and burning are getting in the way of your sex life.

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