Why is My Vagina Itchy After Sex?

Vaginal itch causes and timing (how soon it happens) after the sexual encounter

Written and reviewed by Slava Fuzayloff | Published on October 18, 2024

Content:

Non-infectious causes| Allergic reactions| Non-STDs| STDs

Vaginal itch after sex can be a reaction to the condom or lubricant. It can be caused by non-STD vaginal infections such as BV and yeast. But it can be caused by STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes as well.

In this article, we will go over the possible causes of vaginal itch after sex and how soon you can get them.

Vaginal Itch causes and timing after the sexual encounter.

Non-infectious causes

Friction during sex

Friction during sex from prolonged sexual encounters or inadequate lubrication or arousal before sex can cause post-sex itch. This is an example:

Timing: The itch can start in a few hours or the next day. It usually lasts a day or two and subsides gradually.

Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness is a common and painful condition that can affect people at any time in their lives. The most common causes are hormone level fluctuations (birth control pills or menopause) or medications.

This is how it looks:

Itch, burning and cut- symptoms of vaginal dryness

Timing: Since the person has baseline irritation of the vaginal area, it will be just more irritation of the same sort in a few hours or the next day. The worsening of the baseline symptoms lasts for a day or two.

Allergic reactions

Different agents that come into contact with the vagina- such as latex condoms, sperm, spermicide, and lubricant- can cause localized (vulva and vaginal) allergic reactions. Vaginal itch is one of the most common symptoms. Other symptoms may include redness and swelling. [1, 2] Vulvar Pruritus—Causes, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approach
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7081372/
Female Genital Itch
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29929595/

Example of allergic reactions of different severity.

Vaginal redness of mild allergic reaction

Severe allergic reaction of the genital area

Timing: The symptoms can be delayed (starting within 12 hours and peaking at 48-72 hours) or immediate (starting in minutes). The more exposure to an agent there has been in the past, the faster and more severe the reaction. Most reactions are delayed.

Latex allergy

A reaction to the proteins in natural rubber latex causes latex condom allergies. Females are more affected than males.

Sperm allergy

It is rare to have an allergic reaction to sperm protein.

Symptoms include redness, itch, and swelling, usually very mild.

Reaction to spermicide

It is a reaction to the nonoxynol-9, which can irritate the sensitive vaginal tissue. The symptoms include redness, itch, dryness, and swelling.

Reaction to lubricant

Lubricants that contain glycerin, glycols, petroleum, and parabens can cause allergic reactions and itch in the vagina area.

Non-STD infection causes

Sexual contact can change the Ph of the vagina,

How?

✓ Semen has higher Ph than the vagina and can raise Ph temporarily. It creates an environment where harmful bacteria can grow.

✓ Lubricants can change the vaginal Ph as well.

✓ Friction during sex can irritate the vaginal tissue and makes it more vulnerable to infection.

and the balance of pathogens in the vagina is disrupted, leading to two commonly known conditions:

Yeast infection and Bacterial vaginosis. Both conditions can cause vaginal itch in addition to other symptoms such as redness, swelling, and discharge.

Timing: Typically, itch symptoms for BV and Yeast are not immediate and take 2 to 7 days to appear. It usually lasts for a week or two or until it gets treated.

Vaginal Yeast infection

The most common type of fungus that causes yeast infections is Candida albicans. Itch is the most common and early sign of yeast infection. Over time, redness and swelling of the vagina as well as clumpy white discharge are visible.

Vaginal redness and swelling of the yeast infection

BV (Bacterial vaginosis)

BV is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria: Gardnerella, Prevotella, and Mobilincus. In addition to the itch—the initial and might be the only symptom—BV can also present with a fishy smell and thin greyish discharge.

STD causes

Some sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, mycoplasma, herpes, and genital warts, can cause vaginal itch.

Timing: Typically, an STD’s itch is not immediate (unless it is herpes) and takes a few weeks to develop.

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, and Mycoplasma

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, and Mycoplasma caused by corresponding bacteria. It is usually a late itch that progresses over time.

In addition to the itch symptoms, other symptoms such as increased vaginal discharge, smelly discharge, and pelvic pain can appear.

Herpes

Herpes is one of the STDs that can cause early vaginal itch: It can be as early as the next day. However, the herpes itch is mild and not long-lasting. The itch turns into burning (pain) in a day or two, and bumps and blisters should appear.