Buzzapp Master 
When your vagina, or anything in its vicinity, burns or stings, it can put a damper on your mood, confidence, and general well-being. Take it from someone who dealt with unexplainable burning for years. There was a point in my life where I kept going to the gynecologist to get swabbed for yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV), oftentimes getting a negative result for each. I genuinely felt like it was all in my head, which only made the “phantom burning” worse.
Turns out, there isn’t just one cause of vaginal burning—several different factors can be at play, and they often overlap. In my case, occasionally tight pelvic floor muscles were the reason—something I hadn’t even considered. But it makes sense: Just like your muscles in your arms and legs can burn when they’re tight or sore, the muscles in your pelvic floor can too.
Ahead, a gynecologist, urogynecologist, and pelvic floor physical therapist break down some of the most common reasons for vaginal burning, plus what you can do to put out the fire and find some relief.
Vaginal infectionsWe get it—the word infection sounds scary and has an unnecessarily shameful undertone. But vaginal infections are common, Stacy De-Lin, MD, a gynecology and family planning specialist and Associate Medical Director at Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, tells SELF. In fact, they’re often the first thing a gynecologist or related health professional looks for when you tell them you’re experiencing a burning sensation below the belt.
1. Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV)
These are the two most common infections linked to that telltale burning sensation, Dr. De-Lin says. “The vaginal microbiome has a really delicate balance of both bacteria and yeast. If there’s an imbalance—for a number of reasons—one of those can overgrow,” she explains.
As many as 75% of people with vaginas will have at least one yeast infection in their life, as several things can cause yeast, also known as Candida, to overgrow, leading to itchiness and burning. Some of the most classic contributors include:
Antibiotic use, which can disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut and vaginaExposure to irritants and wearing tight-fitting clothes that reduce breathabilityFluctuating hormones leading up to your periodBacterial vaginosis (BV) is a different beast. It’s characterized by an overgrowth of a bacteria called, Gardnerella vaginalis. Like a yeast infection, BV can cause a burning sensation, among other symptoms. “Often, you don’t have to even be exposed to a sexual partner to have BV,” Dr. De-Lin says. However, a 2025 small-scale study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that if you have recurrent BV, treating your partner could reduce the likelihood of reinfection. “So if a patient gets treated over and over again for BV, we might consider treating their partner,” Dr. De-Lin says. Other more common factors that may increase your risk of BV include:
Using scented soaps around (or inside) your vulvaNot changing out of sweaty clothes right after a workoutDouchingNot wearing protection during sexSynthetic fabrics like nylon or rayon can trap moisture and heat, which may increase your risk of a yeast infection or BV. “We always recommend breathable cotton underwear,” Dr. De-Lin says.
When to see a doctor: Seeing a doctor is the best way to determine if you have either infection. Yeast overgrowth can often be eradicated with one dose of an oral tablet called fluconazole (Diflucan). For BV, at least one round of antibiotics is usually required, which can either come in the form of a gel that you insert into your vagina or as a pill you take by mouth.
2. STIs
“There are a number of sexually transmitted infections that can cause burning, with the most common ones being chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis,” Dr. De-Lin says. All of these are passed through sexual intercourse and can lead to changes in vaginal discharge and odor, she explains—which can have a lot of overlap with yeast infection and BV symptoms, making it difficult to know what’s going on without a test. It’s not always the case, but often, STIs cause a burning sensation during sex, or when you urinate.
When to see a doctor: If you’re experiencing burning, a doctor will often recommend doing an STI panel, which tests for those three Dr. De-Lin mentions. Treatments typically involve antibiotics, but in the case of herpes or HIV, anti-virals are needed.
IrritantsFragrances, whether in your favorite bath bomb, body wash, laundry detergent, or a scented panty liner, can irritate the skin around your vulva, causing a fiery sensation down there (and not the good kind), which can make you think you have a vaginal infection.
3. Scents
Just like other areas of the body can react to things like fragrances or detergents, so can the vulva, Dr. De-Lin explains. And the skin around your vagina tends to be extra sensitive.
The most generalized advice is to not use anything with a fragrance to wash your vagina (the internal part) or your vulva (the external parts), Dr. De-Lin says. This can help reduce the chance of developing contact dermatitis, which manifests as a rash or swelling—known as vaginitis—after coming into contact with something you’re sensitive or allergic to.
When to see a doctor: If you’ve stopped using all scented products and you’ve also swapped out your nylon undies for cotton ones, but you’re still experiencing burning, something else may be going on. Consider talking to your doctor about other potential causes of vaginal burning, such as infections and pelvic floor dysfunction (more on that below).
Skin conditionsContact dermatitis isn’t the only skin issue that can cause burning down there.
4. Lichen sclerosus
One lesser-known condition is lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory skin disorder that can show up as thin, white, wrinkly patches around the vulva. It can cause intense itching, pain, and a burning sensation. “Lichen sclerosus, which is believed to be an autoimmune inflammatory condition, can affect the vagina and the vulvar area,” says Dr. Benjamin Brucker, MD, a urogynecologist at NYU Langone Health in Manhattan. It can also crop up around your anus.
It’s relatively rare; about 200,000 people in the US have it. And although the exact cause is unclear, research suggests the condition is linked to other autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis and autoimmune thyroid disease.
When to see a doctor: In some instances, a specialist will need to do a biopsy to confirm your diagnosis. If you do have lichen sclerosus, a topical steroid cream can help soothe inflammation and reduce symptoms, Dr. Brucker says.
Hormonal changesHormone shifts before your period can make things feel off (from your vagina to your emotions)—so imagine what’s happening during bigger transitions like perimenopause or postpartum recovery. Changes in estrogen levels during these times can lead to a host of symptoms that could contribute to an indescribable burning sensation.
5. Perimenopause and menopause
Perimenopause can kick into gear up to 10 years before menopause; the average age of menopause, or when it’s officially been a year since your last period, is 51. As estrogen levels ping-pong in perimenopause, vaginal tissue can become thinner and drier. Formerly known as vaginal atrophy, experts now call this genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM), and it’s one of the more likely explanations for vaginal burning during this time, Dr. Brucker says.
“Estrogen stimulates the vagina to produce lubrication,” Dr. De-Lin says. In the absence of estrogen, your vagina can feel dry and itchy to the point where it feels like it’s burning. Menopausal people may also see an uptick in BV and yeast infections as a result of declining estrogen levels, thinning vaginal tissue, and higher vaginal pH, research suggests.
When to see a doctor: You don’t have to deal with these symptoms. There are ways you can find relief. “In most patients, we can use hormone therapy (HT), which is either oral or topical, estrogen and progesterone,” Dr. De-Lin says. Vaginal moisturizers with hyaluronic acid are “underutilized” for vaginal dryness relief, says Dr. Brucker. After all, you moisturize your face, lips, and hands, why not this equally important area? Vaginal laser treatments may also be an option if you aren’t getting adequate relief from estrogen therapy or are not a good candidate for it because of a contraindication, Dr. Brucker says. These specialized lasers can help with some of the skin changes, or vaginal epithelial changes, that are related to the aging process or menopause, he explains. More specifically, they can help encourage the growth of new cells in the vagina, improving lubrication, and making tissues tighter.
6. Postpartum changes
After giving birth, your hormone levels (specifically estrogen and progesterone) plummet—especially if you’re lactating and breastfeeding. This can cause vaginal dryness, similar to what menopausal people experience.
And then there’s the physical trauma that childbirth can cause in your pelvic region. Research estimates that about 85% of people having a vaginal birth will experience a perineal tear of the tissue that separates the vulva from the anus. “This tear can be as small as a paper cut,” Sara Reardon, DPT, a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist in New Orleans and author of Floored: A Woman’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage, tells SELF. Or it can be severe and go all the way from the vulva to the anus and even into the rectum itself. This damage can cause significant burning in the immediate weeks postpartum, but it can also result in some lasting changes that can leave you contending with this discomfort long after you’re healed.
No matter the scope of the tear, scar tissue forms as a natural part of the healing process. “When scar tissue heals in any area, it doesn’t have the same ability to relax, soften, and lengthen as tissue that hasn’t been traumatized or affected,” Dr. Reardon says. “So when scar tissue heals, it can be tight and restricting, preventing penetration. It can feel like you’re ripping or tearing again.” All of these symptoms can contribute to a burning sensation.
When to see a doctor: Dr. Reardon encourages going to see your doctor for a six-week follow-up after giving birth. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), as many 40% of women aren’t attending their postpartum visit, either due to accessibility issues or they weren’t instructed or incentivized to go by their doctors. “So when symptoms arise, there is no check-in method for these women,” Dr. Reardon says. Also know that you can (and should) call your ob-gyn with any issues beyond that six-week period; it’s totally normal to still be healing and noticing certain symptoms after that timeframe.
Returning back to an exercise routine, work schedule, and having sex can be challenging after birth, especially if you experienced significant tearing. Talk to your doctor and consider seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist (oftentimes you don’t need a referral from a doctor to see one for an evaluation, Dr. Reardon says), about ways you can provide extra care to your vagina after birth.
Pelvic floor dysfunction and nerve irritationWhen you have pelvic floor dysfunction, your muscles can spasm, which on its own, can lead to a burning sensation. Sometimes, these muscles can compress nerves, which can further contribute to burning. It’s not all in your head, Dr. Reardon says. Stress and anxiety have indeed been linked to pelvic floor dysfunction, but there’s a physical component to this relationship too that can contribute to muscle spasms and subsequent burning.
7. Pelvic tension
So many things can cause your pelvic floor muscles to tense up. Holding onto emotional stress, recovering from sexual trauma, getting over an uncomfortable vaginal infection like BV, or even watching something violent on television can all contribute to tension in this area, Dr. Reardon says.
Conditions like vaginismus—now more broadly referred to as genital pelvic pain penetration disorder—involve involuntary spasms of the pelvic floor muscles, she explains. This can make sex and inserting a tampon challenging if not impossible. When something hurts or feels unsafe, your body tenses up to protect you (also known as muscle guarding). Over time, that chronic clenching can lead to muscle overactivity, nerve irritation, and—you guessed it—a burning sensation, even when penetration is not part of the equation.
When to see a doctor: A pelvic floor physical therapist can work with you to relax your pelvic muscles as well as those surrounding it. “We really look at the whole pelvis,” Dr. Reardon says. For example, a PT may assess any tightness in the hip flexors, glutes, or lower back muscles as all of these areas may be putting additional pressure on your pelvic floor muscles.
In a pelvic floor physical therapy session, your provider may use tools like dilators or trigger point wands to help ease tension inside the vagina. Dr. Reardon says it’s important to not push through discomfort like you might when you work out. You can think of these PT sessions as “down training,” or doing exercises and stretches that are designed to relax and reduce tension in your muscles—as opposed to tightening them as you would during a lifting session. The goal is to retrain the brain and body simultaneously to dissociate pain with touch to the vagina, Dr. Reardon says.
8. Nerve irritation
Muscle tightness and nerve irritation often go hand-hand because tight muscles can compress or add pressure to nearby nerves—especially the pudendal nerve, which provides sensation to the vulva, clitoris, urethra, and anus, Dr. Reardon explains. When it becomes irritated, it can cause burning, stinging, or even sharp, electric-like pain. Tight pelvic floor muscles can also pull on nearby nerves and shift them into different locations, Dr. Brucker says. The pudendal nerve can also be compressed by prolonged sitting, cycling, or childbirth. Pudendal nerve irritation can be tricky to diagnose, but pelvic floor physical therapy and, in some cases, nerve blocks can help relieve symptoms, Dr. Reardon says.
When to see a doctor: When in doubt, check it out. “There’s a real lack of awareness around what pelvic floor physical therapists do and how they can help you,” Dr. Reardon says. “I hate this, but it’s seen as a last resort. Like, ‘Oh, we’ve tried everything else, go to therapy,’ instead of as a first-line treatment for vulva vaginal burning disorders.” The main takeaway? Don’t sit with the burn or discomfort—if your doctor ruled out infection, an appropriate next step would be to consult with a pelvic floor PT so you can explore other potential causes for your symptoms.
The bottom lineThere are so many reasons why someone may be dealing with vaginal burning. Approaching menopause, recovering from childbirth, wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics, and holding tension in your pelvic floor can all be causes of vaginal burning, in addition to the more obvious culprits (infection).
My bottom line, personally? I wish I had this information in my younger 20s because I would have felt more empowered to go to pelvic floor physical therapy a lot earlier to ease tension in those muscles. And I now have tools I can use daily—my physical therapist encouraged me to uncross my legs when sitting and do deep breathing exercises when I feel tight down there—to prevent a muscle spasm. While I stopped going to pelvic PT in fall of 2024, I love knowing that it’s always an option if vaginal burning becomes an issue again and I feel like I need to return.
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