Burning Sensation During and After Sex: What It Means

Sex should not feel painful. If you have ever had a sexual experience and felt a sting, a burn, or a deep ache, you are not alone. Many women feel this way. In fact, up to 75% of women have painful sex at some time in their lives. A burning feeling is one of the most common issues reported [1].

Burning during or after sex can feel sharp, hot, annoying, or raw. Some feel it as a stinging pain on the vulva, in the vaginal canal, or deep inside the pelvis. For some women, the discomfort starts during penetration and lasts for hours. For others, it comes suddenly after otherwise enjoyable sex. Knowing the main reasons is important to feel comfortable and confident again.

Let's explore why this occurs, what is normal (and what is not), and how pelvic health therapy might be the solution to improve things.

What Causes a Burning Sensation During or After Sex?

A burning sensation during or after sex can happen for several reasons. It may be due to friction, infections like UTIs or yeast infections, hormonal changes, vaginal dryness, or issues with the pelvic floor. If the pain doesn’t go away, it’s important to talk to a doctor.

Common Causes of Burning During or After Sex

1. Vaginal Dryness

Estrogen helps keep vaginal tissues flexible and moist. When estrogen levels drop, which can happen during breastfeeding, after childbirth, or menopause, the vaginal lining gets thinner and drier. This makes it easier for irritation due to friction to occur [2].

Dryness can make the tissue more likely to tear or feel irritated. Even light contact can cause a burning sensation during or after sex.

2. Infections

Burning can happen due to urinary tract infections, yeast infections, or bacterial vaginosis. These issues may also cause other signs, such as discharge, bad smell, or itching [3]. UTIs often cause a burning feeling when you urinate and a strong urge to go. Many women feel burning after sex too, which might be because of irritation in the urethra. If you have repeated infections, it could be time to check the function of your pelvic floor and bladder support.

3. Friction or Insufficient Lubrication

Friction can cause tiny tears that feel like burning. This can happen when there is low excitement, quick foreplay, or the wrong lubricant is used. Silicone-based lubricants are usually better. They last longer and lower friction. If there is not enough lubrication, moving during sex can put extra stress on the vaginal lining.

4. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Tight or overly active pelvic floor muscles, known as a hypertonic pelvic floor, can lead to pain and burning during or after sex. These muscles are around the vaginal canal. When they are too tight, they can cause resistance and pressure on nerves during penetration [4]. Hypertonic pelvic floor muscles can hold tension. This makes it tough for the tissues to relax after intimacy. As a result, discomfort lasts longer. Each new experience can feel more painful if this issue is not fixed.

5. Vaginismus

This sudden tightening of the vaginal muscles can make penetration hurt or even feel impossible. It is often related to anxiety, trauma, or pelvic floor dysfunction [5].

Women who have vaginismus might feel a burning sensation along with a feeling of tightness or "hitting a wall." This burning happens because of active muscles and stretched tissues when they try to have penetration.

6. Hormonal Shifts

Estrogen levels change after childbirth or during menopause. These changes can lead to thinning of the vaginal walls. They can also make the area more sensitive and increase the chances of irritation. A study found that 57% of women after menopause feel pain during sex. This pain is often tied to vaginal atrophy [6]. In the time after giving birth, breastfeeding lowers estrogen levels. This can cause dryness and tenderness, which may create challenges feeling comfortable with sex during this time.

7. Endometriosis or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pain in the pelvic area might mean you have endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Both of these conditions can lead to inflammation and scar tissue. They can also make you feel extra sensitive during and after sex [7].

Endometriosis spots on the ligaments near the uterus or the vaginal cuff can pull during sex. The pain may feel like a burning sensation or sharp discomfort inside. This pain often gets worse after intercourse.

Is This a Pelvic Floor Problem?

If you still feel pain, your pelvic floor could be the issue. When the muscles that support your pelvic organs are too tight or not relaxed during intercourse, they can cause burning, aching, or pulling feelings during sex.

How to Recognize Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

• Pain during sex
• A feeling of tightness or resistance
• Increased sensitivity of the clitoris
• Pain that spreads to the hips or lower back
• Soreness after sex that lasts more than 24 hours
• A feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area

A study from 2017 showed that women who have chronic vulvar pain had much higher pelvic floor muscle tone than women who do not feel any pain [8].

Pelvic floor dysfunction is not just a problem during intimate moments. It can also impact your bladder, bowel, and pelvic/hip mobility. Spotting the signs early can help achieve better treatment results.

Pelvic Therapy for Burning After Sex: What to Expect

Pelvic therapy can help train your muscles again. It can also lower sensitivity and make your tissues stronger. Here’s how it works:

1. Personalized Assessment

At Blossom, a specialist in pelvic health will help you discuss your full history. You will use a biofeedback tool during your exercises and their clinical knowledge to learn more about how your muscles work.

2. Biofeedback Tools

Our intravaginal pod lets you see in real-time when your pelvic floor muscles activate and relax. This helps you understand and coordinate your movements without any guesswork. Visual and sensory feedback can help you relax. It lets you let go of tightness and improves the way your nerves and muscles work together. This is key for easing the burning feeling after sex.

3. Relaxation Techniques

Guided diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation techniques help the parasympathetic nervous system. This can lead to better pelvic floor release [9]. Relaxation isn’t only about feeling less stressed; it’s also about how our body works. When you practice deep breathing, it helps the diaphragm and pelvic floor move together. This connection allows your muscles to relax completely after intercourse.

4. Scar Tissue Management

Postpartum scars from episiotomies or tears can limit movement in the tissue. Gentle massage and specific exercises can help break down scars and improve comfort.

Burning Sensation and Hormones

Can Menopause Cause Burning During Sex?

Yes. Vaginal atrophy can lead to less elasticity and lower lubrication, which can make sex feel painful. A few common solutions are vaginal estrogen, lubricants, and pelvic floor therapy [6]. Menopause can bring changes to the body, including less blood flow to the vulvar area. This can slow down healing and make the area feel more sensitive. A good way to manage these changes can be through a mix of different methods. Options include using topical hormones, lifestyle changes, and pelvic exercise can work well to improve the symptoms.

What About Postpartum?

New moms often feel a drop in estrogen, have tight pelvic muscles, and deal with some injury from childbirth. A study found that 52% of women have painful sex in the first 6 months after giving birth [10]. C-section deliveries do not remove the risk. Changes in the core and pelvic muscles can create imbalances. This can cause pain during sex whether or not you’ve had a vaginal delivery!

When to See a Specialist

Seek help if:

• The burning lasts for over 24 hours.
• You have strange discharge, bleeding, or fever.
• You are avoiding intimacy because of discomfort.
• Over-the-counter treatments do not work.
• The pain gets worse over time.

Don't just sit back and hope it will "get better by itself." Long-lasting pain can harm how you feel, how you see your body, and your relationships. Getting help early can lead to better results.

How to Prevent Burning After Sex

• Use a water-based or silicone-based lube.
• Go to the bathroom after sex to lower the chance of UTIs.
• Stay away from fragrant soaps and douching.
• Add gentle stretching and breathing exercises to your weekly routine.
• Discuss and communicate with your partner about pacing and comfort.
• Consider trying pelvic therapy.
• Apply warm compresses after sex if you feel soreness.
• Wear loose and breathable underwear to help reduce irritation after sex.

Pelvic Health FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Can a tight pelvic floor cause burning after sex? High-tone muscles can squeeze pelvic nerves and create tension. This pressure can cause a burning sensation. It may feel like an infection or inflammation [4].

Does pelvic therapy really help? Absolutely. Studies have shown that pelvic floor physical therapy can help reduce pain during intercourse. It can also improve sexual function for different conditions [11].

Should I avoid sex if I feel burning? Yes, at least for now. Going through penetration even when it hurts can make inflammation worse and cause a cycle of fear and pain. Take time to heal and talk honestly with your partner.

Conclusion: You Deserve Comfortable, Joyful Intimacy

A burning sensation during or after sex can feel lonely, annoying, and hard to understand. But it happens to many people-and there are ways to treat it. It may be caused by changes in hormones, tight muscles, or past experiences. Pelvic therapy provides a caring and well-researched approach to help you recover.

If you have been having a hard time, remember you are not alone. You deserve to experience intimacy that feels good in every way-physically, emotionally, and with your relationship. At Blossom, we are here to help you feel connected to your body and enjoy intimacy that is right for you!