Sex is not supposed to hurt and shouldn’t be associated with pain or a burning sensation for that matter. However, according to The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, about three out of four women experience painful intercourse at some point in their lives. We should talk about why this is happening and how we can fix the situation.
If you’re someone who is experiencing a burning sensation during or after sex, clearly something is not working out for you or something is not right. There are plenty of reasons that can explain why this is happening. Here’s how you can make this experience better for you:
1. It could be from your sanitary napkins.
There are many reasons why the use of certain sanitary napkins could cause vaginal pain or irritation. From the chemicals used in the sanitary napkins to their rough texture to even the synthetic fabric used to make them—these are all factors that can irritate your vagina. Instead, choose organic sanitary napkins that are good for your vagina during periods. We recommend giving the Hi Life Organic Period Pads a try. These premium-quality pads are made of GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton which is sourced from Texas. They are soft on the skin and free of any harmful chemicals, and perfect for all kinds of flow: heavy, medium, or low.
2. It could be from your detergent.
Some ingredients used in the detergent are so harsh that if they accidentally come in contact with your vagina, they’ll definitely irritate the skin. The dyes, fragrances, preservatives, surfactants, enzymes, parabens, solvents, emulsifiers, and other chemicals (that are a part of the detergent) can also cause an allergic reaction down there. How to know that your detergent is responsible for the burning sensation post-sex? Simply eliminate its use and replace it with another brand immediately and see if it makes a difference down there in the next few days.
3. It could be your underwear.
The type of briefs and the fabric they are made of factors in your vaginal health greatly. For example, lacy briefs are not comfortable at all and synthetic briefs are not that breathable. Wearing thongs on the regular can also irritate your vagina. In fact, irritation and inflammation over time can sometimes lead to an overgrowth of bacteria which inevitably leads to a vaginal infection. The reason why we need to take special care of our underwear attributes to the fact that the vaginal canal and the butthole are placed adjacent to each other, and if bacteria from the butt hole reaches the vagina, in all likelihood, it will cause an infection.
4. It could be pandemic related stress.
Stress affects our bodies in the most visible ways sometimes. On the inside, stress also affects natural vaginal lubrication among other bodily processes. Whether you’re feeling anxious or dealing with a major life event like the pandemic, it will translate into vaginal dryness down there. This, in turn, can also give your vagina a burning sensation post-sex. While it may not seem apparent, but foreplay before sec and regular sessions of meditation can help deal with this.
5. It could be triggered by sex toys.
If you’re experiencing some sort of burning sensation, your self-pleasuring devices may be at fault here. The materials that are used to produce vibrators are known to cause irritation, especially when you’re allergic to certain materials. A general rule of thumb should be to look up toys that aren’t designed using latex, dangerous chemicals like phthalates, and are non-porous. Secondly, most women experience an infection simply because they forget to clean their sex toys after use. It’s extremely important
to clean the sex toys regularly with fragrance-free, mild soap to avoid bacterial infections or UTIs.
6. It could be from products you’re using in the shower.
Using products not meant for the vagina down there is one of the most common causes of vaginal burning during sex. Shower products do not share the same pH as your vagina and using them down there can disrupt the vagina’s natural pH. Instead, get products that are designed to maintain the pH of your vagina. Get a vaginal wash to use in the shower and a vaginal spray for use during the day. You could try using the Hi Life Intimate Hygiene Spray. Our vaginal spray is designed using a unique Japanese formulation to keep your intimate area clean & infection-free. With a 100% alcohol-free formula, this vaginal spray keeps your vagina’s pH balanced.
7. It could be from grooming down there.
Be it waxing, shaving or using an epilator, sometimes grooming down there causes irritation as well. While hair is removed from the outer vulva and not the vagina, it can sometimes translate into a burning sensation during sex. Skin irritation caused by razor burns can cause inflammation during sex as well. Make sure to moisturise down there post grooming to soothe the skin.
8. It could be triggered by hormonal changes.
Usually, the hormonal changes responsible for vaginal dryness are the ones that happen right before menopause. As women approach menopause, their estrogen levels start to fall, and one of the side effects this has is, unfortunately, vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness can also be caused by birth control pills. Here, a simple fix is to focus on medications, regular sexual activity, and vaginal stimulation. This helps maintain healthy vaginal tissue even after menopause.
9. It could be your allergy pills.
Usually, for allergies, people resort to taking antihistamines that help dry up the infected area or the nasal cavity. However, a regular side effect of anti-histamine that no one talks about is their effect on the vagina. They’re known to cause vaginal dryness as well. Vaginal dryness then ends up causing a burning sensation during sex. A simple solution would be to change your antihistamines for another brand and see if that makes a difference.
10. It could be a vaginal infection.
Vaginal infections tend to cause discomfort, itching, pain, inflammation and irritation in varying degrees and it completely depends on the intensity of the infection. Sometimes, you may have an infection and you may not even realise it if you’re not experiencing any symptoms. However, if you have sex while you have an infection, it can definitely trigger those symptoms. Sometimes, the burning sensation simply suggests the presence of the infection down there. If you’ve never experienced this before, it’s best to have it checked out by your gynaecologist. Moreover, to prevent such infections, you can use Hi Life Intimate Hygiene Spray. It has inc Gluconate that helps prevent infections, bad odour, itching and rashes.
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