Burn injuries can change how your body looks, feels, and functions. This can include changes to your sexuality and intimacy.
Sex should feel good — not painful or burning! However, a lot of people believe that painful sex is normal, preventing them from fully enjoying the pleasures of sex.
Painful sex could be caused by many different conditions, including a yeast infection or a UTI. It can also be a symptom of some common STIs and STDs like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
What is Burn?
Burns are injuries to the skin that damage the tissue and can be caused by heat, chemicals, electricity or lightning. Often the burn is painful, but serious or deep burns can be dangerous and require immediate medical care. The type of burn determines the severity and treatment needed.
Symptoms like green or foul-smelling discharge, swelling, itching, fever and chills are signs of infection in the burned area. Serious infections are a concern because they can spread quickly and affect other parts of the body. They can also be life-threatening.
Inflammation after sex can be a symptom of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or a yeast infection (candidiasis). If you’re experiencing pain or burning during penetration, make sure you rule out common causes of this symptom, such as an allergic reaction to lubricant or a urinary tract infection, before seeing your doctor.
Many survivors of burn injuries experience lower energy levels and decreased desire. Talk to your doctor about blood tests to check hormone levels and medicines that can affect desire or stamina. You can also talk to your partner about ways to find new, fulfilling sexual satisfaction. A little creativity, time and practice can help you discover more fun and creative ways to have sex. The burning after sex may go away with time. You might also try using different lubricants or taking a pill that helps treat an STD.
What Causes Burning?
A number of different things could be causing your burning during sex, from lack of arousal to severe friction to infection. But don’t panic, most of the time it isn’t a serious problem.
Vaginal burning during sex could be due to a lack of lubrication, which can make penetration painful and uncomfortable. Using store-bought lubrication is an easy fix, and you should be able to get back to normal between the sheets in no time.
Infections like yeast infections (also called vulvodynia) can cause pain and burning during sexual activity. These can be treated with antifungal medication. You might also have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as trichomoniasis or the bacteria gonorrhea or chlamydia, which can cause pain during penetrative sex, burning in the anal area, green or foul-smelling discharge, fever, and chills. Getting tested and treated early is the best way to find out if you have an infection.
Other causes of vaginal burning during sex include irritation from fabrics, soaps, or lotions that can upset the balance of bacteria and pH in the vulva. Even certain brands of lubricants can be irritating, so try switching to something different. The same goes for tampons, condoms, and menstrual cups. And finally, a recent change in your diet or new medications may be to blame, as these can cause side effects like burning.
What Can I Do About Burning?
Burning during sex can be caused by a lack of arousal, irritation or allergy. Lubrication and avoiding rough bedding or tight underwear can help. It may also be a sign of an infection such as a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infection. Sexually transmitted infections like trichomoniasis can cause burning during sex as well. Getting regular STD testing is the best way to be sure you have an infection and treat it early if necessary.
Sometimes a burning sensation during sex is just temporary vaginal dryness that can be corrected with a good quality store-bought lubricant. In other cases, it’s a sign of an infection or allergic reaction that needs to be treated with medicine or seen by a doctor for the best results.
If you have a severe burn injury, newly healed skin is fragile and may be sensitive to touch. It is important to have open communication with your partner about your expectations for sexual intimacy. You may need to find new ways to meet sexual needs that work for both of you.
Changes to the body that come with a burn injury can make people question their sexuality and intimacy. It is important to talk about it with your partner to find a way to continue to have satisfying sex and love after a burn injury.
How Can I Get Rid of Burning?
Burning during sex can be very distressing and embarrassing, especially if you don’t know what is causing it. However, it is important to remember that it is a very common problem and there are a number of simple things you can do to help relieve the pain.
First and foremost, if you are unsure what is causing your burning, you should speak to your doctor or nurse. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action. If the burning is a new symptom for you, they may recommend that you take a sexual health screening test. This will ensure that you are not suffering from one of the many common STIs/STDs, such as chlamydia, herpes, or gonorrhea.
Another tip is to try and use a water-based lubricant pre and during sex. This will reduce friction and help to prevent irritation and pain. There are also special anaesthetic gels that you can apply to the area ten to fifteen minutes before sex, which will help to numb the pain and make it less uncomfortable.
It is worth mentioning that you should only use water-based lubricants, not spermicidal creams, as these can be irritating for some people. Also, if you have a very sensitive area, it is worth speaking to your pharmacist to see what over the counter products may be appropriate for you.
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