STD Labs Blog :: Page 29

Penis is a significant organ in the male body and most men are obsessed with the size and look of their penises. However, most men do not know that the organ can shrink over time and leave them shorter than normal.

What are the Causes of Smelly Penis?

The penis can have an odor, and it can be caused by something as simple as not washing regularly or properly after urinating.

But some other causes of smelly penis go beyond this, including infections and diseases that can lead to more serious problems if left untreated, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea and chlamydia, genital warts, and bacterial vaginosis.

This article discusses some of the causes of penis order and their remedies..

Cause of Penis Oder: What is Smelly Penis?

Smelly penis, or trichomycosis pubis (also known as “Brott's disease” and “Hirsuties coronae glandis”), is a condition that affects the human groin. It is caused by an overgrowth of normal skin flora and a specific yeast — Malassezia furfur.

A smelly penis can be caused by sweating or uncleanliness, which causes foul-smelling bacteria to grow on the skin around the penis and pubic area.

The condition affects men of all ages, but the smell is typically more noticeable during puberty and adolescence due to hormones and puberty causing sweat glands to work overtime in certain areas of the body like the genitals.

Smelly urine

Other dangerous causes of smelly penis and smelly urine begin in the prostate. The prostate is a little gland that has a big impact on your health.

Located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, the prostate is a gland that produces the fluid that carries sperm. It surrounds part of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine through the penis and out of your body.

The prostate may seem like an unlikely culprit for causing physical problems. But when it becomes inflamed or infected, it can lead to a variety of symptoms, including smelly urine.

Understanding the Penis

Most male problems are the result of fear and ignorance, so it’s important to understand how your penis really works. The male penis is made up of erectile tissue, which means it can expand when stimulated.

This expansion allows blood flow to increase and lets you get an erection! One thing that people who worry about penis odor don’t know is that males produce more sweat than females do.

Sweat tends to have a sour smell, but you can minimize unpleasant smells by practicing good hygiene habits: showering daily and using a fragrance-free soap. Don’t try perfumed products on your genitals; they could cause irritation or infection.

7 Causes of Smelly Penis

Below are the most common causes of smelly penis and ways to prevent smelly penis from developing in men of all ages.

#1. Urinary tract infection

The most common cause of smelly penis is a urinary tract infection (UTI), particularly if your urine smells strong or you notice an uncomfortable sensation when you urinate. A UTI can be caused by bacteria getting into your bladder through sexual activity, so you may want to take precautions such as using protection and cleaning up thoroughly afterward.

In addition, drinking plenty of water and making sure to pee after sex should also help prevent UTIs. If you have any concerns about sexual health, contact your doctor for more information about preventing and treating UTIs.

#2. Fungal Infections

Another cause of smelly penis is fungal infections, which are caused by yeast overgrowth in your genitals. Yeast infections are fairly common in women but rarer in men; they often develop due to poor hygiene or certain medications that suppress immune function, like steroids and antibiotics.

You’ll know you have a yeast infection if there’s redness around your genitals, itching, burning sensations during urination, and/or pain while having sex.

#3. Poor Hygiene.

The third cause of smelly penis can be bad hygiene, particularly if you don’t clean yourself regularly after sex or use an insufficient amount of soap when washing up.

If your penis smells strongly after a shower or bath, it may be because you aren’t using enough soap to wash away bacteria and other substances from your skin.

In addition, not cleaning yourself thoroughly after going number two could also lead to a smell down there—you should always wipe from front to back so bacteria doesn't get transferred into your urethra and cause an infection.

#4. Erectile Dysfunction Medications

Another possible cause of smelly penis is erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. Although these drugs are very effective at treating ED (especially in older men), they often come with side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, headache, and/or facial flushing.

Some people report that these symptoms are accompanied by an unpleasant odor in their urine or semen; although rarer than other causes of smelly penis, erectile dysfunction medications can sometimes have similar effects on male sexual partners as well.

#5. Sexually transmitted infections

A variety of sexually transmitted infections can lead to smelly penis and include, but are not limited to chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and scabies. These types of STIs are typically treated with medications such as antibiotics or antivirals.

If left untreated for too long though, these infections can spread throughout your body and become life-threatening. This is why it’s important to see your doctor if you think you might have an STI that’s causing a smelly penis.

#6. Yeast Infections

The most common cause of a smelly penis is a yeast infection, which can be caused by either Candida albicans or other species of Candida fungi. As with other forms of fungal infections, yeast infections on your penis may cause itchiness, redness and irritation around your genital area.

Yeast infections are usually treated topically using anti-fungal creams like clotrimazole (Lotrimin) or miconazole (Monistat). You should also avoid wearing tight underwear or pants made from synthetic materials like nylon because they will trap moisture against your skin and make things worse!

#7.Smegma

This is a white substance that forms on your penis. The secretions from your apocrine glands produce smegma. It looks like white lumps or a clumpy material and can be found beneath your foreskin or around your penis head.

Smegma has an unpleasant odor, but it’s not dangerous to your health. However, if you notice any kind of discoloration in your genital area (even if it doesn’t smell), see a doctor right away as soon as possible. This could be an indication of something more serious going on in your body.

Cleaning your penis properly will prevent smegma buildup. After each urination, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching yourself or anything else in order to avoid getting bacteria on them. Then take a shower or use warm water and gentle soap to clean your genitals thoroughly.

Symptoms Related to Penis Odor

Other signs linked to smelly penis can include:

• Lack of sexual desire,
• Fatigue,
• Mood swings
• Body odor (not related to your groin).
• Itchy groin
• Burning sensation during urination

Having other symptoms along with smelly penis is common.

The key thing here is to identify whether or not you have other issues that are causing your genital odor. That way you know what direction to go in terms of treatment.

For example, if you have severe pelvic pain as well as a smelly penis then you should probably be looking at getting tested for STDs before taking any supplements or using an over-the-counter remedy for genital odor.

The same goes for anyone who has noticed a loss of sex drive or erectile dysfunction while dealing with genital odor.

How to Clean Your Penis

This will depend on whether your penis is circumcised or uncircumcised. If it’s uncircumcised, you can clean your penis by pulling back (gently!) on your foreskin and cleaning underneath with warm water.

The top of your penis should never be exposed to any harsh soaps—only mild soap is required for washing. If you’re circumcised, you can use mild soap to cleanse under and around your penis—but don’t be too aggressive!

Some men have one or two showers daily, wash their hands frequently, use hand sanitizer regularly, and still notice a strong odor. You might be surprised to learn that sweat isn’t actually smelly (at least not on its own), but bacteria is what causes sweat to smell unpleasant.

While some causes of smelly penis can be easily treated with over-the-counter treatments or cleaning habits, sometimes it could mean an underlying issue that you should see your doctor about.

Remedies for the Causes of Smelly Penis

Medications for smelly penis

If you’re suffering from an unpleasant odor coming from your penis, there are several medications that can help to eliminate these symptoms. One common medication used to treat smelly penis is an over-the-counter antifungal cream or powder.

Antifungal creams and powders work by effectively killing any fungi present on your skin, which in turn reduces smelly penis problems and allows for fast healing.

Ampicillin is another type of medication that may be prescribed by doctors in order to combat smelly penis issues.

Home remedies

There are several home remedies for a smelly penis. Natural treatments like baking soda and vinegar can effectively help to solve smelly penis problems.

The baking soda should be applied to affected areas of the penis while allowing it to sit for two minutes before rinsing it with water. Vinegar should also be applied onto affected areas of your penis in order to promote fast healing and prevention of smelly penis problems.

When to See a Doctor

The first step to getting rid of a smelly penis is to see a doctor and make sure there isn’t a medical cause. If your doctor says everything looks normal, you can probably treat the problem yourself with one of these methods.

Before you get to that point, though, let your doctor know exactly how bad it smells. Not every smelly penis warrants immediate attention (more on that later), but if yours is especially pungent or accompanied by other symptoms like itching or burning when urinating, it could be an indication of something more serious than poor hygiene. 

You should consider seeing a doctor if:

• Your penis doesn't smell normally.
• You have pain or discharge coming from your urethra (the tube urine passes through).
• You notice any unusual bumps or sores on your genitals.

Also, visit a doctor if you're not circumcised and you notice changes in skin color around your foreskin or at its tip.

Consider Circumcision to Improve Genital Hygiene

If your penis has a strong odor, one reason could be that you are uncircumcised. This condition can lead to genital hygiene issues and bacterial growth, which in turn can lead to foul-smelling discharge, itching, and pain.

If you’re uncircumcised but are having problems with smelly semen or any other unpleasant symptoms of poor genital hygiene, it’s likely time for circumcision—the removal of the foreskin from your penis. Cutting the foreskin prevents many causes of penis odor.

Circumcision is considered a cosmetic procedure by many insurance companies, so check with yours before making an appointment. But if you have health insurance, circumcision is covered as long as there’s no underlying medical issue causing your problem.

In some cases, surgery is not necessary; nonsurgical methods such as topical creams may suffice to improve genital hygiene and reduce odor. Discuss these options with your doctor at your next appointment.

Foods that May Cause Smelly penis

You may be wondering: how is food one of the causes of smelly penis. While foods that cause smelly penis might not seem like something you’d consider eating, they could be causing unpleasant side effects.

Foods to avoid

Sugar and high starch foods like white bread and pasta can trigger bacteria on your skin to produce ammonia, which smells like urine.

As we sweat throughout the day and have fewer opportunities to wash our bodies, those odor-causing substances become trapped in our genital area. Avoiding spicy foods and alcohol also limits unnecessary irritation to sensitive tissues down there.

Foods to consider

A great diet rich in fruit and vegetables helps ensure you have all-around health—and also works wonders for your penis health. Also try eating plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, herring, sardines, and anchovies as well as walnuts, flaxseed oil, and sunflower seeds for more antioxidants—all known to reduce inflammation.

It’s important to note that while food may play a role in creating an offensive smell, some men may notice their penis smelling worse after exercise or sex. If you’re worried about how healthy your body is overall, talk with your doctor about testing for any infections or conditions that may be causing an off-putting smell.

The Far-reaching Downsides of a Smelly Penis

Do you suffer from a smelly penis? Are you worried about your sex life and your social life? If so, you’re not alone. Men with a smelly penis are often ignored by women they approach and are also often subjected to teasing from friends and family.

A smelly penis can also cause embarrassment during exercise or work (your colleagues will start sniffing) - which is why it’s important to figure out what causes a smelly penis.

 When someone smells something bad like body odor or something else unsavory on you, they don’t want anything to do with you because of how terrible that smell is. It could lead them not wanting to have sex with you; potentially making your partner become less attracted to you over time.

Some people aren't sure if their penis smells bad:

As men grow older, their bodies naturally produce less semen than when they were younger – meaning less sperm overall! This can lead to a smelly penis for some men. Because of these changes in hormones and natural bodily functions, you may notice that your penis doesn’t smell as good as it used to.

This can make it harder for you to attract women or keep your social life intact because of how embarrassing it is. It’s important to understand what causes a smelly penis so that you can fix it before things get out of hand. Men with smelly penises are often ostracized by society and their friends because of how bad their penises smell.

Avoid Using Cologne and Body Sprays on Smelly Penis

Some sprays and colognes are specifically designed to mask body odor. They have ingredients like perfumes, deodorizers, and antibacterial agents that do just that: cover up bad smells with good ones. That’s great if you’re trying to make your body smell nice, but applying them to your smelly penis can actually worsen any existing odors.

Over time, these chemicals can react with your natural skin oils, and break down into compounds like ammonia and trichloroethylene, which then causes even more unpleasant smells. Yuck! So don’t use products on smelly penis that are made for use elsewhere on your body—or anywhere near it! 

And definitely, avoid spraying anything directly onto your penis. This could cause an allergic reaction or irritate sensitive tissue in ways that aren’t always obvious at first.

Tips to Avoid a Smelly Penis

For people that have a smelly penis, there are several tips to reduce it. As with most things, prevention is better than a cure.

• Avoid wearing tight underwear and pants as they don’t allow your genitals to breathe and they trap sweat close to your skin which can cause odor.
• Wash regularly as you would any other part of your body and make sure you dry properly after washing too.
• If you do get an odor problem, use some mild soap or antiseptic wash on your penis twice a day for about two weeks, and keep washing regularly after that until it goes away.
• Avoid using strong soaps on your genitals as they can cause irritation and also tend to dry out quickly which makes them more susceptible to bacteria growth.
• Keep your penis dry after showers. When your penis is wet, it’s prone to bacteria growth.
• When you’re not wearing underwear, air can reach your entire penis and help reduce smegma buildup.
•  Keep your underwear clean by changing them regularly. If you sweat excessively, consider wearing specialty athletic underwear that is made of moisture-wicking material.
• Avoid tight pants—they trap in heat and sweat, which lead to bad smells.
• Always wear condoms during sex—not only will they protect against STIs (if you don’t know whether or not your partner has one), but condoms also make cleanup easier afterward because they contain lubricants that help get rid of smegma buildups and keep skin moisturized.

Lastly, clean your penis after sex to avoid odor buildup and other causes of smelly penis such as STIs.

Products to Keep a Good Smelling Penis

While there are many possible causes of penis odor, our male experts agree that one of them is usually sweat.

In fact, sweat plays such an important role in penile odor that it’s often impossible to determine whether urine or sweat is to blame for unpleasant penis smells. Fortunately, several simple solutions exist for how to get rid of smelly penis odor.

The right product will depend on what type of symptoms you have and what your overall health is like, but our experts say that mild odor can often be cured with over-the-counter products designed specifically for men's private parts.

You can consider the following products

• Talcum powder will help keep your penis smelling nice and clean. Your skin can breathe when talcum powder is applied.
• Coconut oil has antibacterial properties
• Wipes. If you have sensitive skin you may want to avoid these powders and opt for unscented men’s wipes instead.

The market is ripe with solutions for an itchy or smelly penis, so don’t feel discouraged if one product doesn’t work for you. Try something else; there are many choices out there!

For more extreme cases, see your doctor immediately; they may recommend prescription medications or other treatments.

Last Words

There are multiple causes of smelly penis, including improper personal hygiene and underlying medical conditions. That being said, it’s important to see your doctor if the problem persists for more than a few days.

What is Urinary Incontinence, and how can you manage it

Are you experiencing some leakage or dripping of urine? Maybe you feel some continuous urge to urinate. Sure, suppose you can't control your bladder and occasionally see some large or small amounts of urine. In that case, you may be having urinary incontinence.

Though more common in women than men, bladder control issues can be embarrassing. They can affect your daily operations and relations.

This article covers some of the most common causes and symptoms of urinary incontinence and when you should see the doctor. We also discuss the medical and dietary or simple lifestyle changes that would help you manage your bladder control issues.

Urinary incontinence and its causes

Incontinency is having bladder problems and constant flow of urine that you can’t control. In other words, it’s the accidental loss of urine.

Though the condition is common in older people, it's not the inevitable result of aging. It can result from some medications' temporary medical conditions that would go away once you’re treated. Others may also be the result of long-term or chronic illnesses.

Stress and everyday habits like taking certain drinks will stimulate your bladder or increase your urine volume. Women may also experience incontinence during pregnancy or after giving birth and after hormonal changes like menopause.

Some of these causes may be temporary, while others would-be long-term or persistent reasons.

• Short-term or temporary causes of incontinence

You may temporarily experience incontinency due to:

Urinary tract infections like bladder cystitis and urethritis irritate your bladder, causing a strong and persistent or frequent urge to urinate with a burning sensation. The good news is, once these infections are treated, your situation will go away.

Constipation. Your bowel and bladder share some nerves, so having chronic constipation will put more pressure on the pelvic floor and bladder muscles. The pressure weakens the muscles and nerves, causing urinary incontinence.

Pregnancy and childbirth. The uterus exerts excessive pressure on the bladders during pregnancy, causing a higher frequency. Such conditions would, however, go away after delivery.  

Also, vaginal delivery or the process of birth would weaken a woman’s muscle supportive tissues causing prolapse: a condition that pushes the uterus, rectum, and small intestine into the vagina. The force and protrusion will result or cause incontinence.

 Medications. Certain drugs are linked to incontinence; among them are diuretics, antidepressants, and sleeping pills or those used to manage high blood pressure. Medications like antidepressants will impair your bladder’s ability to contact, thus increasing the urine overflow. Worst is, others would lower a persons’ need and awareness to urinate.

Beverage consumption. Drinks like alcohol, coffee, and carbonated drinks can make you urinate more often. But once you stop taking them, your urge will reduce.

• Long-term or chronic causes of incontinence

Bladder control issues can also result from some underlying and persistent conditions, including:

Pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic disorders make you unable to coordinate your muscles in the pelvic floor for good bowel movement. In other words, pelvic conditions can affect how your body organs function, including the bladder.

Neurological disorders like stroke, brain tumor, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal injury may interfere with nerves and muscles signals of the urinary system causing urinary incontinence.

Overgrown prostate. People, especially older men, may develop an enlarged prostate. This condition would result in several bladder control issues like benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Obstruction like having a tumor along your urinary tract system may block your normal urine flow, causing overflow incontinence.

Common signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence?

Signs and symptoms of incontinence may differ from one person to another. You may experience:

• Urine leakage when coughing or sneezing
• Dripping of urine during movements and exercises
• Bladder control effects that stop or prevent your daily activities
• Bedwetting
• Strong and sudden urge to urinate
• Urine leaked without signs or urged to urinate
• Incomplete bladder emptying
• Constant wetness without urine leakage

Some of the symptoms will significantly depend on the condition you experience.

Various type urinary incontinence

There are numerous types of incontinence with different triggers or characteristics, signs, and symptoms. Knowing the types is always crucial for diagnosis, diagnosis, and treatment.

Consider the following types:

• Stress incontinence

This type of urine leak occurs when you put pressure on the bladder, like when you laugh, cough, sneeze, or lift heavy machines or objects during exercise.

• Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence happens when you have a sudden or intense need to urinate and that you can’t hold to reach the toilet. This condition is especially common with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or stroke. The urgency may also result from minor conditions like infections, sex, during the organism, and sudden position changes.

• Functional incontinence

This occurs when you have a mental or physical impairment that keeps or prevents you from reaching the restroom. It's majorly common with older people with arthritis or other conditions that prevent them from moving faster.  

When functional incontinence, you may experience confusion, dementia, mobility, or poor eyesight. Also, you may be prone to anxiety, depression, and anger that may lead to an unwillingness to visit the bathroom.

• Overflow incontinence

You experience overflow incontinence when you have continuous or frequent urine dripping due to an uncontrollable bladder that doesn't empty. This condition is common in men who have enlarged prostate or blocked urethra. You may also have this condition due to injuries to the spinal cord or diabetes.

• Mixed incontinence

Mixed incontinence happens when you experience more than one type of urinary incontinence, especially a combination of urge and stress incontinence.

What factors increase your risks of urinary incontinency?

Your chances of having incontinence increase with:

Gender. For instance, women are more likely to experience incontinence than men. This is because of contraction and pelvic effects during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. On the other hand, only men with prostrate grand issues are at risk of overflow incontinence.

Age. As you grow old, your kidneys and bladders also change in function. They lose their strength, reducing the amount of urine a person’s bladder can hold. Thus an increase in the involuntary release of urine.

Having excess weight. Carrying extra weight puts a lot of pressure on your bladder and its surrounding muscles. The pressure then damages or weakens your pelvic walls and the urethra structures, increasing the likeliness of urine, especially when you sneeze or cough.

Your risks also increase when you smoke tobacco. You have a family history, like when your family members have incontinence and have some underlying health conditions like diabetes.

When to see a doctor

No doubt, most people, especially women, feel uncomfortable discussing their incontinence. However, you must ensure you let your doctor know about how you think earlier enough. This you should do when:

• Your condition is limiting or preventing the progress of your daily activities or when it’s negatively affecting your relationship and quality of life.
• You frequently experience incontinence, which helps your doctor diagnose and know the precise cause of your situation.

Also, seek medical attention when you experience loss of consciousness and vision, trouble walking, and when you can’t control your bowel.

Diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence

To identify the cause of your incontinence, doctors will start by asking questions about how you feel. Your doctor, you'll probably want to know how long you’ve had the condition, among other details. So, feel free to answer and provide every bit of information you have.

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend various tests, including;

• Urinalysis- collecting your urine sample and taking it to the lab for signs of infections or any other complication.
• Physical exam by checking on the size of the prostate in men and performing a pelvic exam in women
• Stress tests that include coughing or jumping to know if you leak some urine during such activities
• Urodynamic testing to determine how much pressure your bladder can withstand.
• Cystoscopy- using a tube to view any presence of undiagnosed urinary tract infections or abnormalities
• Cystogram- an X-ray that provides a detailed image of the state of your bladder
• Treatment

Your doctor will recommend your treatment option depending on your age, medical history, type of incontinence, and extreme condition level. They'll also consider how you tolerate specific medications.

So, they may advise you to consider;

• Behavioral therapies like bladder training to try and avoid or reduce your urge and the intervals of your urination.
• Diet modifications like avoiding bladder stimulating drinks like caffeine and alcohol, among other fluids
• Pelvic floor exercises like kegel further strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
• Your doctor may also provide some medications like anticholinergic and vaginal discharge and estrogen for women

Managing this urinary incontinence will help prevent complications like:

• Skin problems such as rashes and sores due to constant wet skin
• Repeated risk of urinary tract infections
• Lower self-esteem and reduced social interactions

Conclusion

Urinary incontinence can be a very embarrassing situation. But to be safe, ensure you perform pelvic floor exercise bladder training to reduce the time between urinating and reduce your alcohol and caffeine intake.

What causes burning after sex?

Experiencing burning sensations on your body sometimes can be normal. However, it becomes discomforting, alarming, and unpleasant when it’s below your belt.  

Of course, most people will only associate genital symptoms like burning sensation and itching after sex to sexually transmitted infections. While STIs are a possibility, there are also multiple reasons you may experience burning after sex.

This article covers some of the causes of genital burning in both males and females and how to manage them?

Possible causes of burning after sex

Sure, sex shouldn't be hurting; instead, it should be fun, enjoyable, and pleasurable. However, sometimes that's not the feeling people some people experiences. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) indicates that about three out of four women experiences pain during intercourse. The most common one is a burning sensation.

Common causes of burning sensation in females

Females may have the burning feeling due to:

Vaginal dryness

This is a really common concern for most women. It occurs across various ages and results from multiple factors like hormonal changes and violent or penetrative sex. Sometimes, the vaginal fails to self-lubricate before intercourse.

• Hormonal change

It’s common for women to experience vaginal dryness during their different menstrual cycle stages. During this time, the vaginal tissues will dry up due to the rise of the hormone progesterone. When that happens, it can cause a stinging or burning sensation.

• Use of contraception

When used for a long period, some birth control will interfere with the amount of testosterone production in the ovaries. Since testosterone assists with lubrication, whenever your levels drop, then it means you'll have a dry vagina, which results in a burning sensation.

• Childbirth or nursing

When breastfeeding, a woman's postpartum hormone can decrease their estrogen levels, thus reducing the blood circulation to the genitals and affecting vaginal lubrication.

Decrease blood flow causes the vagina to dry and greater friction during sex, resulting in sensation. And sometimes, women may experience dryness for about 6-12 months postpartum or after giving birth.

• Menopause

Menopause can also result in vaginal dryness. The perimenopause period limits your body's chances of lubricating itself. This is due to the decrease in the production of estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, thus causing vaginal dryness that later turns frictional, causing a sensation.

The changes if the levels of these hormones may also cause vaginal atrophy;

• Atrophic vaginitis

This is the thinning of the vaginal walls caused by estrogen's low or decreased production. The condition mostly occurs after menopause.

Once your vagina gets thinner, dryer then comes the higher possibility of forced penetration during sex. Something that causes severe pain and irritation or burning sensations during and after sex.

Apart from the pain and irritation, you may also experience:

• Inadequate vaginal moisture
• Vaginal inflammation or burning
• Tightening and shortening of the vaginal canal and walls
• Frequent urge or need to urinate
• Painful or itchy urination
• Urine incontinence or accidental urine dropping and leakage

 

• Hormonal disorders

Certain conditions that affect a woman's hormone levels, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), will lower or reduce estrogen levels, thus causing dryness.

Infections

Unfortunately, vaginal pain and burning may be side effects of various infections, including bacteria vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections in both males and females.

• Yeast infections

While vaginal yeast infections are common, the condition causes inflammation, itching, and irritation that results in discomfort.

The irritation and scratching of the vagina surroundings will then result in a burning sensation. Of course, there are several other symptoms of vaginal yeast infections like itching, redness, colorless discharge from the vagina, and pain during sex. And whenever there’s pain, the resulting side effect will be a burning sensation.

• Bacterial vaginosis

This is another cause of burning after sex feelings. Usually, your body has several bacteria that work to balance various functions.

However, sometimes the balance doesn't work as expected, and you find more bad bacteria in the body than the good ones. If the condition is not monitored, it may result in bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is a common condition.

If you have this type of infection, you'll feel the burning on various occasions: not only when having sex, but you may recognize the condition through symptoms like:

• Burning sensation while urinating
• Smelly or fishy vaginal discharge
• Pain and itching in the vulva
• White or gray discharge

Can you have sex if you have BV? This question is disturbing, and most women have been asking about it. The answer is yes! You can’t pass the condition to men. Still, the burning sensation will make it hard for penetration, especially when there is no proper lubrication.

Unfortunately, you may get BV or pass it to others with a vagina through sharing unsafe sex toys, finger penetration, or having vulva-to-vulva contact. So, be safe and follow or know the BV status of your partner before getting intimate.

Besides, failing to treat this condition in time would increase your chances of getting sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, HIV, and chlamydia. Worst is, it would increase the risk of early delivery for pregnant women.

• Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections are mostly caused by excess buildup of bacteria and fungi. Still, some may be results of viruses, though rare. They can affect the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra.

Women with UTI will not only experience itching, irritation, and painful sex, but the condition will also come with symptoms like:

• Pelvic pain and burning sensation during urination
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Pink, red, or urine that appear like coca-cola
• An increased urge of urination
• Smelly urine/urine with a bad odor

You may also experience upper urinary tract infections that may be life-threatening, especially those affecting the kidney, like urosepsis. Though not related to a burning sensation after sex, this condition may cause shock, low blood pressure, and death. So, watch out for the symptoms like chills, fever, vomiting, and nausea, and ensure you rush to the hospital for a checkup and treatment.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Pain and burning sensation are some of the symptoms associated with STIs. So, genital itching and sensation before and after sex may also side effects of STDs like chlamydia, herpes, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea.

With these STDs, women may also notice several symptoms like

• Swelling or itching of the affected part
• Sores, blisters, bumps on or around the vagina
• Yellow, green, gray, or unusual vaginal discharge
• Pelvic pain or pain in the lower abdomen
• Sometimes bleeding on the vagina during sex

Rush to the hospital for STD screening and testing when you notice any of the above signs and symptoms above. Early testing will help manage your condition and prevent further spread and complications. You must, however, remember that some STDs like herpes have no cure. Still, you'll be given some antibiotics to help manage and reduce the frequency of its symptoms.

Lack of arousal and insufficient lubrication

The vaginal has natural lubrication that ensures soft or smooth sex. But, if you're not properly aroused, you're in for painful intercourse, also known as dyspareunia, persistent pain during sex.

• But why would you fail to get aroused?

Genital arousal problems involve several things like:

• Having low sex hormone levels
• Trauma or sexual abuse in the past
• Stress, anxiety, and depression
• Tiredness
• Menopause
• Inadequate blood flow to the sex organs
• Problems and disagreements with your partner
• Health/underlying health concerns like cancer, heart problems, and bladder issues
• Effects of medications like those used to treat blood pressure, chemotherapy, and antidepressants

You may also fail to get aroused for reasons like lack of adequate foreplay or when you’re having trouble relaxing during sex.

If any of these factors affect your arousal, you won't get lubricated and ready for sex. So attempting to have sex in such conditions will only result in a lot of pain and discomfort, which then causes irritation and burning sensation in your vagina. And you’ll be feeling pain during and after sex.

Therefore, talk to your partner so that you can both work on your issues and ensure comfortable and entertaining sex that is less likely to result in pain and burning. You can as well try using sex lubricants or lubricated condoms.

Allergic reactions and skin irritations

You may also experience a burning sensation down there due to allergies caused by various factors like:

• Reaction to products use during sex

You may experience irritation and feelings of burning due to sensitivity to various sexual products like lubes, lotions, latex condoms, and sex toys. Sensitivity to these products may lead to swelling, redness, and irritation, thus a painful or burning sex.  

You may also develop a reaction to some of the washing products like soaps you use for cleaning your vagina. Also, some fragranced or scented products containing dyes or perfumes can cause irritation and pain around your vagina.

Of course, it will be challenging to know what caused your reaction, especially when you combine many products. So, pay keen attention to every product you use and stop using the one you feel causes you irritation.

• Reaction to semen

Semen allergy, also known as the human seminal plasma hypersensitivity (HSP), is a common reaction and irritation to the types of protein found in men's sperms. The condition affects up to 40000 women causing burning and irritation to the vagina.

Besides burning sensation, you may experience redness, hives, swelling, and genital itching. It would help if you also watched out for severe allergic complications like those of anaphylaxis symptoms that can lead to:

• Breathing difficulties
• Swollen throat or tongue
• Weak or rapid pulse
• Fainting and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting

Though they don’t relate to vaginal burning, these symptoms may complicate your life. So, it's better to look for a solution in time.

Rough sex and other sexual position

Having rough sex without lubrication increases the friction between the sexual organs, thus irritating and causing some heat and burning sensations. Also, some sexual positions would go deeper into the cervix, thus causing pain. The pain will even be worst in those women with cervicitis.

Wearing tight underwear

Wrong underwear, especially the tight ones, may irritate for the following reasons:

• Rubbing and scratching of the underwear can cause friction making your genitals itchy
• Very tight and unbreathable underwear can accumulate moisture around your vagina, resulting in small itchy rashes or bumps, which then cause a burning sensation.
• Some females may also be allergic to the different materials used to make this underwear. The scent will irritate and make them start scratching their vagina.

So, be careful when washing your underwear, as some detergents will cause irritation and allergic reactions. You must also ensure you wear breathable and well-ventilated underwear.

Inadequate cleaning

Failing to properly wash your genitals after sex increases your risks of irritation and burning after sex. The chronic moisture caused by the release of semen, especially when no protection is used and the vaginal secretions, may lead to yeast infections. This irritates, and once you start scratching, you’re in for discomfort and burning.

Therefore, ensure to wipe out the excess semen or visit the bathroom after sex and properly clean up, then pat your vagina dry.

Vaginismus

There are situations when females' bodies will automatically react to fear of penetration. Therefore, vaginismus is the automatic reaction causing the muscles of the lower or third pelvic to spasm or constrict, thus resulting in pain, drying, and dryness during sexual intercourse.

The automatic constriction may happen even if you initially enjoyed sex. So, your vaginal and muscles will tighten on their own to prevent penetration. Once this happens, any attempt to penetrate will be hell and cause a lot of pain. It usually requires the intervention of a doctor or pelvic floor therapists.

Psychological or relationship factors

Some females will experience pain and discomfort just from hearing about sex. So, the anxiety or stress of thinking about the penetration can make them tense up thus feel pain during sex. This can also happen due to the anatomical differences where females are just shy of seeing the size of their male partners. The shape and size then irritate their skin, causing a burning sensation.

Interstitial cystitis 

This condition causes chronic inflammation of the bladder and pelvic muscle layers, thus making sex uncomfortable or painful during sex. The disease may mimic the symptoms of urinary tract infections.

You may also experience the following signs and symptoms:

• Frequent urination or urgent need to urinate even after urination
• Abdominal and pelvic pain or pressure
• Accidental urine leakage or urine incontinence
• Pain during sexual intercourse

It creates many discomforts that range from a mild genital sensation to persistent or sometimes infrequent severe pain.

Urethritis

Urethritis is the inflammation and irritation of the urethra, a tube carrying urine out of the body. The condition is caused by viruses or bacteria affecting the urethra. Sometimes, it may result from underlying STDs that cause a burning sensation.

Apart from a burning sensation, you may also experience:

• Frequent urge of urination
• Discomfort and pain during urination
• Irritation, itching, and burning of the urethra opening
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Pelvic pain

The condition is manageable with prescription antibiotics. So, visit your doctor when you notice any of the above symptoms.

Common causes of burning sensation in males

Men may also experience burning after sex for several reasons and complications; some are common to those affecting females. Here are some of the causes of genital itching and pain in men:

Urethritis

Caused by bacterial infections, urethritis leads to irritation and pain during urination. Men will also experience symptoms like:

• Itching and burning around the penis opening
• Penile discharge
• Blood in semen or urine

Inadequate cleaning

You may also experience irritation when you don't wash out the remaining semen, especially for uncircumcised men. The chronic moisture under the foreskin will cause chaffing or irritation, resulting in scratching and a burning feeling.

The semen residues may also lead to yeast infections if not cleaned in time. So, go to the bathroom immediately after sex and clean or wash out any stuck semen particles.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, warts, and herpes may cause a burning or tingling sensation around your penis, especially during and after sex.

Along with the burning sensation, you may experience:

• Painful peeing or urination
• Irritation and itching of the urethra tube
• Sores, blisters, and spots around your anus and genitals
• Tingling and rush around your penis
• White dots or black powders in your underwear, especially if you have public lice

Visit your doctor or hospital for proper STD testing and screening if you experience any signs or when you suspect you have STDs.

Latex allergy

Males may also have some irritation and burning feelings from using condoms made of latex. To some men, latex condoms or lubricants cause discomfort and uncomfortable symptoms like itching, especially when they contact skin. It will make the skin around the genital red, itchy, and swollen after sexual activity.

The allergy can then trigger:

Contact dermatitis may increase the reaction, itching, redness, and irritation of 12-36 hours. This will make your skin appear scaly.

An immediate reaction, especially when you have become sensitive to latex in your previous experiences. So, coming into contact with it again trigger your immune system, which then responds in various ways, including coughing, sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, and watery eyes or itchy eyes.

Prevention and management of burning after sex

Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to prevent and even manage or reduce the risk and chances of burning sensation after sex.

To prevent the sensation:

• Ensure to use non-latex condoms, especially if it causes irritation
• Avoid douching or using cleaning or sensitive washing products

Also, consider:

Switching of changing the position to less hurting or those that reduce the burning effect, especially when there are no lubrications used

Use more lubrication; you can ever try using water-based lubricants to reduce the dryness and friction causing burning. Avoid the flavoring and the perfumes agents.

Share your conditions. Most people don’t feel comfortable sharing their sexual desires and status. For instance, talk about your sexual pain with your partner to help find what works for both of you. Also, ensure you know the sexual status of those you have sex with, and even better, ensure safe sex as it helps reduce your chances of getting STDs.

Conclusion

Genital itching and burning after sex are very common. It can result from various causes like STD infections, allergies, forced penetration, yeast infections, bacteria, and other viruses. To be safe from the itching or burning symptoms, ensure you identify the right cause of your condition and limit, reduce or do the opposite of the reason.

While there are several life-altering, sexually transmitted diseases, a blue waffle is not real! This disease only came about due to a lack of sexual health education.