The burning sensation many women experience during sex and afterward is commonly called “sperm burn.” This genital pain can be caused by infections, allergies, hormonal imbalances and other issues.
The best way to prevent sperm burn is by practicing safe sex, using condoms and wearing clean, breathable underwear. Maintaining good genital hygiene by regularly washing the genital area, avoiding scented products and staying hydrated is also helpful.
Infections
For women, a burning sensation during or after intercourse can be caused by a number of different issues. It could be an infection or a lack of lubrication, but if you’re experiencing the burning feeling regularly, it’s important to seek medical help. It’s often a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia, herpes, or bacterial vaginosis, and can be painful or uncomfortable to deal with.
The actual sperm that comes out during ejaculation makes up only a small percentage of the semen, which contains other fluids like ascorbic acid, citric acid, enzymes, and prostaglandins. In many cases, the proteins found in this mixture are what cause a burning sensation when it contacts skin. This condition, called sperm factor or seminal plasma hypersensitivity, affects both men and women but is more common in women. Other symptoms include itching, tingling, and pain in the vagina or vulva.
If you have a sperm allergy, your doctor may recommend “desensitization,” which involves slowly increasing exposure to semen and teaching your body to stop reacting. Using condoms during sex can also prevent contact with allergens, and in some cases, your doctor may prescribe medicine to treat the allergy. A sperm allergy can also be a problem when it comes to pregnancy, and your doctor might suggest intrauterine insemination or IVF, which uses sperm that’s been washed free of the protein that causes the reaction.
Semen Allergies
Allergies can occur to a number of different substances, and sperm is no exception. Known as seminal plasma hypersensitivity, or HSP, this rare allergy occurs to the proteins in most men’s semen. It’s more common in women, affecting up to 40,000 women in the United States.
Symptoms of this condition, which is also sometimes called a sperm allergy or a sperm hypersensitivity syndrome, include itching, swelling, redness, and pain in the vulva and vaginal area. In severe cases, symptoms can spread to the rest of the body and cause hives and trouble breathing. In such extreme cases, immediate medical attention should be sought.
In most cases, semen allergy is mild and goes away on its own. Depending on the severity of the allergy, your doctor may recommend using a condom during intercourse or try a desensitization procedure.
This involves injecting diluted semen into the vulva at regular intervals to build up tolerance over time. This treatment, which is not as effective for men as it is for women, can reduce or eliminate allergy-related symptoms. However, it can make it harder for a woman to become pregnant the traditional way. In such instances, your doctor may recommend intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization. Sperm allergies don’t cause infertility, but they can make it more difficult to conceive. This is true for both cis and trans women.
Sex Practices
Almost everyone will experience some pain during sex. A woman’s vagina is especially prone to burning because of the irritants in her semen. It is important to take precautions, and to avoid inappropriate sexual practices.
Inappropriate sexual practices include oral-genital sex; anal penetration with the hand, penis or manufactured object; vaginal penetration by another person, whether male or female; and cunnilingus (licking and rubbing of genitals). These types of activities can lead to infection and other medical problems.
Sexual abstinence is a choice some people make for a variety of reasons. These include periodic abstinence for contraception or preventing disease; the desire to abstain from all penetrative sex, even when it is consensual; and abstinence for religious or personal reasons.
The sperm that actually fertilizes an egg only makes up a tiny percentage of the total amount in a man’s ejaculate. The rest of the semen is a mixture of lubricants and other chemicals that help preserve and protect the sperm on their way to the egg. The irritants in the semen can cause burning during and after intercourse. To reduce the possibility of causing burning, men should withdraw their penis before they ejaculate. This can be difficult, particularly for men who produce a lot of pre-ejaculate. Using barrier methods such as condoms and dental dams can also help to prevent these abrasions.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
A lot of people experience pain or burning during penetrative sex, and it’s not really normal. “It can be embarrassing and may cause couples to avoid sexual intimacy, which is important in the bedroom,” says Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click. Getting the right treatment is key to resolving the problem. “If symptoms persist, such as green or foul-smelling discharge, swelling, itching, chills or fever, it’s important to see a doctor right away,” she adds.
Having a burning sensation during sex can also be a sign of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). “STIs such as genital herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause painful intercourse,” Abbas says. Symptoms of STIs include itching, painful urination and a burning feeling when semen comes into contact with the skin.
Over-the-counter treatments, such as lubricants, can help ease the discomfort. Some brands of lubricants, such as Vagisil Cream, contain a numbing agent that can be applied directly to the affected area before or after intercourse. In addition, it is recommended to avoid rubbing the penis or vaginal area after sex. This can aggravate the burn and lead to a urinary tract infection. An ice pack can also be effective in numbing the area and cooling it down.
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