6 Reasons For Burning After Sex + What To Do About It

Sex brings plenty of upsides — closeness, a mood boost, better overall health — but it isn't always without downsides. One such downside is a burning feeling afterward.

That burning sensation is actually pretty common, and it doesn't automatically mean you did something wrong. Identifying the symptom can help you figure out whether you're dealing with a urinary or bacterial infection, an STI, or something else entirely, so you can treat it — whether that's at home or with your doctor's help.

Below you'll find the most frequent causes behind burning before and after sex for both women and men. We've pulled in guidance from trusted sources like the CDC and Mayo Clinic on how to treat and prevent these issues, so this uncomfortable sensation doesn't stand between you and a happy, healthy sex life!

1. Condom Allergy

A condom allergy happens when your body reacts to the material most condoms are made from. In sensitive areas, especially after sustained friction, this can cause pain and burning. Swelling and redness often show up too. The good news: non-allergenic condom materials exist, so you can keep practicing safer sex without the discomfort.

2. Lube Allergy

Lube exists to make sex smoother and more fun, but it can backfire if you're sensitive to an ingredient in it. Pinning down the exact cause of a lube reaction isn't always easy — sometimes it's the osmolality rather than any single ingredient! The FDA doesn't even require lube testing. Source.

Here's what we recommend to lower your odds of irritation:

• Choose non-lubricated condoms and pick your personal lube separately.
• If water-based lube causes reactions, look for a version without parabens or glycerin.
• Try a silicone-based lube instead — though don't pair silicone lube with silicone sex toys!
• Consider a hypoallergenic option like Sliquid Naturals or ID Moments.

If you suspect an allergic reaction, rinse the area clean of lube. Symptoms should ease once the allergen is gone. You can also take an over-the-counter antihistamine like Benadryl for relief — just know it may make you drowsy. Source.

Burning can also show up after sex in water, since water alone isn't a real lubricant and can actually raise friction.

3. Urinary Tract Infection

UTIs are unpleasant and one of the most common culprits behind burning after sex. Sexual activity can irritate the urethra and urinary tract, triggering inflammation and that telltale burning. Per the Mayo Clinic, most UTIs hit the bladder and urethra, though they can spread to the kidneys and cause internal pain beyond just the vulva and urethra area. Source.

Other signs include a constant urge to urinate, frequent urination, cloudy or pink-tinged urine, blood in your urine, pelvic or anal pain, and strong-smelling urine. If the infection reaches your kidneys, you might also get nausea, vomiting, and fever — flu-like symptoms. Some of this overlaps with yeast infections, but UTIs don't come with the discharge typical of a yeast infection. Yeast infections can pass back and forth between partners, so treating them matters.

If you're prone to UTIs, you may deal with several over your lifetime, particularly once you're sexually active. Women face a higher risk, according to the Mayo Clinic, partly due to menopause and birth control use. Still, a few habits can lower your risk — washing before and after sex, and peeing afterward to flush bacteria from the vulva and urethra.

If a UTI hits, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics, and the Mayo Clinic recommends reaching out anytime you suspect one. Plenty of people swear by over-the-counter cranberry supplements or juice, and those might help ease burning, but see a doctor for recurring or severe cases.

4. Sexually Transmitted Infections

Several STIs can cause burning both after sex and during flare-ups. If the pain lingers well after intercourse, or after ruling out irritating products, an STI could be the cause. The CDC lists several infections tied to this symptom:

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Herpes
• Trichomoniasis

The CDC recommends following standard STI prevention guidelines to protect your sexual health. If you suspect one, book a doctor's appointment right away — some STIs can affect fertility down the line or lead to cervical cancer, so there's more at stake than just discomfort.

5. Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial imbalance affecting the vagina and cervix. Your vagina always hosts bacteria, but BV happens when harmful bacteria overgrow. Sex — oral, manual, or penetrative — masturbation, and even certain clothing or laundry detergent can contribute. Research suggests sex with an uncircumcised partner may raise this risk.

Washing your hands and toys thoroughly before insertion can lower your BV risk and its symptoms, which include vaginal itching, pelvic discomfort, and discharge. See your provider if you suspect BV — they'll likely prescribe antibiotics. Note that BV tends to recur, so if you've had one in the past year, another is likely. Source. It can also pass between you and a partner and back again, so treat it promptly.

6. Vaginitis

Vaginitis refers to general inflammation of the vagina and vulva, and it can definitely cause painful sex and burning afterward. Itching and discharge often accompany it too. It can stem from a shift in vaginal pH or bacterial balance, though sometimes a doctor can't pin down an exact cause.

Technically, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, trichomoniasis, and vaginal atrophy all fall under the vaginitis umbrella. That said, treatment varies between them even when symptoms overlap.

Good hygiene and using condoms go a long way toward preventing many of the infections behind burning after sex, along with preventable STIs. Burning itself is uncomfortable enough, but it can also signal a more serious underlying issue — so prevention really is worth it here.

If you're ever unsure, bring the symptom up with your doctor, who can recommend treatment and help you avoid a repeat.

October 23, 2020