Vaginal burning is among the gynecological problems that can occur in any period of a woman's life and reduce her quality of life. The most common cause is vaginal infections. From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital, Op. Dr. Ulviye Hanlı gave information about vaginal burning.
What is vaginal burning?
The most common cause is vaginal infections. Vaginitis is the general name for vaginal disorders caused by vaginal inflammation or changes in the normal vaginal flora. Complaints include vaginal discharge, vaginal burning, stinging sensation, odor, itching.
What causes vaginal burning?
Vaginitis is usually the result of infectious agents. The most common infections are bacterial vaginosis, Candida vulvovaginitis, and trichomoniasis, accounting for more than 90 percent of infections. Sexually transmitted infections gonorrhea (gonorrhea), cervicitis caused by chlamydia and mycoplasma, genital herpes (herpes) can also occur with vaginal discharge-vaginal burning and stinging.
Non-infectious causes usually in postmenopausal women, vaginal atrophy-thinning of the mucous membranes due to estrogen hormone deficiency, foreign body (for example, retained tampon or condom), irritants and allergens, such as vaginal washes or showers that disrupt the vaginal pH value, flora, daily pads, condom allergy and some systemic medical disorders (e.g. ; rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus, psoriasis, eczema).
What are the symptoms of vaginal burning?
Women with vaginitis typically presents with one or more of the following non-specific vulvovaginal symptoms:
Change in volume, color or odor of vaginal discharge
Itching
Burning
Irritation
Redness
Pain on intercourse
Spotting
Burning in urine
Candida vulvovaginitis symptoms usually occur in the premenstrual period, while trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis symptoms usually occur during or just after the menstrual period. Symptoms developing immediately after sexual intercourse suggest sexually transmitted infections (STIs)� dr.
Low estrogen levels can also manifest with vaginitis symptoms. Other symptoms include vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse. In addition to women in menopause, postpartum women, breastfeeding or using antiestrogenic drugs may also have complaints such as vaginal burning and stinging due to low estrogen levels. Again, some women develop relatively low estrogen levels due to the use of birth control pills and similar complaints are observed.
How is the diagnosis of vaginal burning made?
All women with vaginal complaints should consult a physician, and physical examination and some laboratory studies should be performed. Physical examination evaluates the degree of infection, the characteristics of vaginal discharge, and the presence of lesions or foreign bodies in the genital area.
How is the treatment for vaginal burning?
If infection is suspected, the agent is determined and antimicrobial treatment is arranged in the form of pills, suppositories or creams. If vulvovaginal atrophy and mucosal thinning are detected in physical examination, topical treatment is started. If an infection is also present, topical vaginal estrogen therapy (cream, tablet, or suppository) or non-hormonal vaginal moisturizers can be started after the vaginal infection has been treated.
Frequently asked questions
Is vaginal burning allergic?
Vaginal burning sensation can sometimes occur due to the allergic conditions of the person. Although it is observed very rarely, burning in the vagina may occur as a result of allergies to latex and synthetic materials or the use of chemicals that irritate the vagina. Discontinuation of the substances used in such cases will help to eliminate the burning sensation.
How does vaginal burning go?
Women who have complaints of vaginal burning and stinging should start appropriate treatment after doctor's control, if possible, and general perineum. It is important to pay attention to hygiene rules. To restore the vaginal normal flora, to wash the external genitalia only with water, to stay away from chemical products such as creams, soaps, foams, sprays, wipes that can change the Ph value of the vagina, to not use any daily pads if possible, to wear underwear every day. It is important to change the clothes, to choose cotton underwear instead of synthetic underwear, to stay away from clothes such as very tight pants and tights, to stay away from carbohydrate-sweet-derived foods, to control blood sugar and to consume plenty of water.
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