Why Does It Burn During Sex?

If you feel burning when you have sex, it can be upsetting — and painful. It can definitely get in the way of experiencing pleasure. Burning often happens because there’s not enough lubrication in your vagina. But there may be other causes as well.

Here, we’ll cover the causes of burning during sex — and what steps you can take to treat it.

What does burning during sex feel like?

Burning during sexual intercourse can feel like stinging, burning, or fiery sensation. You may feel it inside, on the walls of your vagina. Or you may feel it on your vulva, the outside part and entrance to your vagina. The burning can be mildly irritating or extremely painful.

It can happen before, during, or after sexual penetration. You may experience it once in a while or more often.

There are other types of pain besides burning that can occur during sex. About 3 in 4 women experience some type of pain during sex, also called dyspareunia. Pain that isn’t a burning sensation can feel more like a pain that is: 

• Sharp

• Aching

• Cramping

• Stabbing

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Some women may experience pain and burning together.

What causes burning during sex?

There are many reasons you may feel a burning sensation during sex. Here are some of the more common causes.

1. Vaginal dryness

Your vagina makes natural lubrication to keep it moist and reduce friction during intercourse. Vaginal dryness develops when your body makes less of that natural lubrication. That can cause friction during sex. Friction can irritate your vaginal tissues. This can lead to inflammation, pain, and burning sensations. 

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Vaginal dryness is more common in people experiencing perimenopause and menopause. During this period of time, your body makes less estrogen. Lower estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness.

Other reasons for vaginal dryness include:

• Recent childbirth

• Nursing

• Some hormonal birth control

• Hormonal disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Cancer treatments

• Certain medications

2. Vaginal infections

If you have an infection in or around your vagina, the tissue may get inflamed and irritated. That can cause burning during sex. Infections that can cause burning include:

• Yeast infections 

• Bacterial vaginosis

• Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and herpes

3. Skin conditions

Certain skin conditions can affect the vulva, the skin around your vagina. These conditions can cause skin irritation or inflammation. This may lead to burning around the opening of your vagina during sex. 

Some people with psoriasis or other skin conditions may have flare-ups in the genital area. This can also cause burning during sex. 

4. Contact dermatitis

It’s also possible to get contact dermatitis in the genital area, which can cause a burning sensation during sex. Contact dermatitis is a skin rash that can be triggered by contact with: 

• Perfumed soaps

• Lubricants

• Douches or other vaginal cleansers 

• Latex condoms

If you develop a rash from using latex condoms, you can choose non-latex condoms made from polyurethane or polyisoprene instead.

5. Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is the term for pain that affects the vulva. The pain may come and go, or you may feel it all the time. It’s usually considered vulvodynia if you have pain for 3 months and if there isn’t another known cause, like a vaginal infection or a skin disorder. 

It’s not entirely clear what causes vulvodynia. But some theories suggest that it may be related to damaged nerves, other nerve issues, or inflammation of the vulva. 

Here are some other symptoms people with vulvodynia may have:

• Irritation

• Rawness

• Aching

• Soreness

• Throbbing

• Swelling

How serious is burning during sex?

Most causes of burning during sex aren’t a sign of a serious health problem. Burning is often due to dryness and irritation. 

But if you have an infection, such as an STI or bacterial vaginosis, you do need to treat it so it doesn’t get worse and potentially cause complications. And it’s important to treat skin conditions to provide relief — and so they don’t get inflamed or infected.

But burning during sex can be serious in another way. It can affect your mental health and sex life. And that may affect your mood and your relationships. Treatment can help you have the amount of sexual activity you desire.

How can you treat burning during sex?

Burning during sex isn’t something you have to live with. There are different ways to treat it, depending on what’s causing the burning sensation. Here are your best treatment options.

Yeast infection 

You can treat a yeast infection with over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medication. You can also see a healthcare professional to get a prescription for an oral antifungal medication.

Bacterial infections and STIs

Bacterial vaginosis and STIs need to be treated with prescription medications. See a healthcare provider to get diagnosed and treated for the infection. 

Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness can often be treated with products that add moisture to the vagina. There are two general types of products you can buy OTC that can help with vaginal dryness: 

• Lubricants (lubes): A personal lubricant is a liquid or gel that you use during sex to reduce friction. Before penetration, apply lube to the penis or condom (after it’s on the penis). Lube can also be applied to the vaginal area. It can also be helpful to put lube on a sex toy like a dildo. 

• Vaginal moisturizers: These are gels, creams, or suppositories that you insert in the vagina. They help the vagina maintain moisture. Moisturizers work best when used a few times a week. They’re not meant to be used as a lubricant during sex. Examples of moisturizers are Replens and K-Y Liquibeads. 

Perimenopause or menopause dryness

For people in perimenopause or menopause, vaginal dryness can also be treated with hormonal treatments. They are available with a prescription, so talk to your OB-GYN or primary care provider about your options. 

Two general types of hormone treatments include:

• Vaginal estrogen: Estrogen is applied directly to the vagina to help restore some of your natural lubrication. It comes in a cream, vaginal ring, or tablet you insert in the vagina.

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT is taken to replace reproductive hormones that decline with age. It can be taken by mouth, with a skin patch, by injection, and in other ways. It’s a good option to treat vaginal dryness as well as night sweats and hot flashes.

Skin conditions

If you have a skin condition like psoriasis, talk to your dermatologist about your vaginal symptoms. You may need different treatments to treat skin irritation in the genital area because the skin is more sensitive there.

Contact dermatitis

If you get contact dermatitis, it will usually go away within a week or two. You may be able to use anti-itch creams or other medications. But talk to your OB-GYN before applying anything to the skin around your vagina. 

The best way to stop contact dermatitis is to avoid products that irritate your skin. 

Vulvodynia

If you think you may have vulvodynia, see an OB-GYN. They can diagnose the condition and discuss your treatment options. 

There are a range of treatment options for vulvodynia, including:

• Numbing creams

• Antidepressant medications

• Hormone creams

• Physical therapy 

When should you see a doctor about burning during sex?

Some causes of burning may need to be treated by a healthcare professional. See your OB-GYN or primary care provider if you experience any of the following:

• You’ve tried a few solutions on your own, and they don’t relieve the burning.

• You’re in perimenopause or menopause and want to explore using hormone therapy to treat vaginal dryness.

• The burning is severe or lingers long after sex is over.

• You experience burning every time you have sex.

• If for any reason, you feel the burning is affecting your sex life, your self-esteem, or your mental health, it’s important to seek help so you can find a treatment that relieves your pain.

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Written by:

Susan Feinstein, MPH

Susan Feinstein has been writing about health and medicine for more than 20 years, unraveling complex topics into everyday language for consumers. Her work has appeared in Consumer Reports, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, Fortune, STAT News, and Modern Healthcare, among others.

Edited by:

Laurie Tarkan

Laurie Tarkan is a senior health editor for general health and well-being at GoodRx. She has an extensive background in health journalism, and wrote regularly for The New York Times for a decade.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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