itching/discomfort after sex

[mayamaya]

Since past 2 years I have itching after sex. I have absolutely no itching problems or abnormal discharge at all in between sex (could be up to 6-8 months).

With each itching episode (lasting over a week, with treatment), there is no abnormal or foul smell in the discharge. Sometimes the itch involves more of the vaginal opening, sometimes more on the area near the urethra, or both.

I've been to the gynae last year about this. He ran cultures and PCR tests for gonorhhoea, chlamydia, also blood test for HIV and could only find strep. agalactiae and yeast. So I was given antibiotics and antifungal inserts.And I was told not to practise oral sex since the problem could be the strep from the throat, but this strep agalact is also known as normal flora. After a week, this itching subsided.

I've had 2 boyfriends in the last 2 years. When this first happened I thought it was STD but since this has also occured post sex with condoms, I am puzzled and worried.

It can't be bacterial vaginitis as it doesn't fit the description of foul smelling discharge. It doesn't look like typical yeast infection as sometimes there is normal discharge yet it itches.

I've been worried that I am starting to inspect myself using a mirror or to feel where exactly the itch is coming from. This week I felt a few micro bumps like those (on the tongue) on my inner left labia. I'm not sure if it's been there all the while. However, I can't see it (any bumps) when I look into the mirror.

Please could you help give me some insight on this?

[oceans3]

could you have an allergic reaction to the condoms (if you use them) and/or lubrication? also be sure you shower/bathe afterwards using a mild soap.

[ateague]

I agree with the above post.  Lots of women are allergic to the latex or spermicide found in some condoms.  You can switch to non-latex condoms, little bit more pricey than latex ones, but if it keeps you from scratching, it's worth it.  Is there any way your doc could do an allergy test using latex or spermicide?  Hope this helps.  Good Luck!!!

[friendly_liz]

I agree with Ateague. see if ur doctor can do a test to see if ur allergic to anything

good luck hun.

[mayamaya]

Hi girls,

Thanks a lot for your replies, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, the last time we had sex (last week) it was without condoms.

I used the antifungal creams each time after sex, as the Dr. suggested, to prevent yeast recurrence.

1 or 2 days after sex the slight irritation/itchiness comes back. No abnormal discharge/smell. This time it's in the surrounding urethral area. After I have emptied my bladder, there is a slight discomfort or pain in my urethra.This sounds like UTI to me? But why the itch as well? *puzzled*

In the past the itch/irritation was in the vaginal opening+urethra and the doc has said it was probably yeast.

I read somewhere that chlamydia causes urethral itch but I was tested negative before. Perhaps it's a false negative result??But I also have no problems between sex (which can be up to months)

I am so confused and this will potentiall ruin my sex life. This has happene with my past 2 partners so it's not likely the problem is STD, though it cannot be discounted.

I am planning to go for a checkup today. But it's gonna be expensive as i dont have insurance here. :(

[friendly_liz]

if you are a nhs patient, then the treatment shouldnt cost you a penny but the prescription will if they decide to prescribe you something.  xx

[trytryagain]

I'll be interested to see what your doc says as I have the same problem....it started about 6 weeks ago (not necessarily after sex and haven't had sex since) and have been to the doctor 5 times.  I have been testes for yeast, BV, every STD known and they can't figure out what it is.  There are no visible lumps, bumps or cuts, just burning, itching and pain.  The doc thought it could be contact dermatitis from something (allergic reaction) but I tried a course of steroids and steroid cream and it didn't work.  Good luck and I'll let you know if I ever figure out what it is.

[missyjane]

I have the same problem :( im 20 years old and it just started about 4 months ago. it lasts about a week or longer and it is targeted by my urethera or clitoral opening. its accmpanied by an oderless discharge. everything is very slight. and it doesnt flare up during sex. im so worried. im going to the clinic tomarrow. i was just tested clean and im a clean kid. this is strange... i will let u know if i hear anything interesting lol

<3

[katiebatie]

I have the same problem as well.  It has been over a year since I've had sex last and now it's back again. For the first 3 fays after sex i ahd no problems then it started. i almost expect it now. There is no odor, it looks normal, sometimes thick, sometimes thin discharge...and white.  I've had a yeast infection before...and BV.  So, I know it's neither and I've been tested for STD at my last appointment (like I do every year) and it was normal.  Could it be just how our bodies react to having sex?  Everything is fine except for the itchiness feeling which isn't bad but enough to be annoying sometimes. I'm not convinced that I'm diseased or have some sort of STD despite what EVERY site says. I've learned to stay away from those sites because they just make you feel worse about the situation.  This has been going with me for years and I know my body by now...just looking for some sort unique response from some one on what it could be.  Please don't respond to this comment if your going to tell me its an STD...it's not, I've been tested for EVERYTHING.  P.S. it's not an allergic reaction to condoms either. I know that I am allergic so I use non latex and no spermicide, not on the pill, and this happens even when a condom is not used.

[cat1500]

I also have this - I usually find it's if I havent had sex for a little while and therefore everything is just a little sensitive.  You know...it's kind of like a runner just starting out and getting sore areas on the feet until their feet get used to it.  :)  I've been tested as well - nothing.  Honestly I just think its sensitivity and as the skin around the vaginal opening 'heel's after sex and the friction caused from it, it naturally has a slight itching sensation.  
I cannot say there is any discharge other than what I have been told is completely normal - sometimes a very slight 'flecky' kind of appearance but very minimal.  I've researched it and it sounds to be completely normal discharge as a chemical/biological reaction to sex.
You dont want to use Vagisil or anti-fungal creams if you are not dealing with an infection.  I usually find a ****** with water and a little applecider vinegar relieves the slight itching and any soreness goes away naturally after my body gets used to more frequent sex.

I'll be curious to hear if anyone has any further answers.

[cg2008]

Hi!

Are either of you still having this problem? It's 2 am and I'm freaked out.
There is NOTHING, but yet! there must be something, otherwise why does it itch, it's so crazy.
how do you guys deal with it?!

[heykupo]

Hello

I have had the very same problem for about ten years. I understand the women who are saying that this is not a std or your standard yeast infection, it is not because of anything that has been said here, yet. I have had the itching and pain after intercourse since I have been married. I only have sex with my husband. We have it once every three days or so, and the itching and pain does not always occur. It does tend to be there after the sex is more intense, it is when i get very excited and we work on that second orgasm.
I don't think anything we are doing sexually should be causing this issue but it must be. After so many years of this discomfort and no answers(I have been to dr's too.) I am looking at something (maybe) to do with the female prostate and whether or not it is "normal" for women to ejaculate when having an orgasm.
   Here are some of my impressions: it is like yeast from your vagina or elsewhere gets into your bladder(urethera). I also find the itch located just around the opening of my vagina. It is not deep inside(the itch). But the pain is deep inside. I feel so "wrecked" inside I get afraid that I did some kind of damage to myself. It has been four or five days since I last had sex and I am still recovering.
   I just found out that women have a prostate and need to do more research.

I am happy to have found this thread, I thank you all for sharing and welcome any suggestions.

[Em1101]

Hi
I'm 19, and this has only been happening to me the last few months.. It started out as a painfull itch (mainly at night) along my inner 'creases'- inner labia, clit hood, vaginal opening, and around my uretha; and sometimes the skin felt slightly bumpy, like i had sand or grit on my skin. I had had a STD check and I was clean, and wasn't having sex at the time so i thought it was thrush. I used an anti-fungal cream and it cleared up in a few days.
I use non-latex condoms every time i have sex.
Now it happens after sex, and clears up when I use the cream.
I just had a thought- could it just be vaginal dryness? I'm on medication- could be a side effect. I'm going to experiment, and use a good lube next time i have sex (hopefully tonight), as well as have a chat to my pharmacist about creams and stuff for it, and i'll let you know how it goes.

[Em1101]

I used lube the last few times i had sex, and experienced no trouble. I also don't use any soap at all when i wash inside my labia- just lots of warm water.And I now use a mild laundry soap and wash my underwear seperately.

[72871]

I'm 37, married, sex only w/husband.  I've been suffering with this since last November.  I have regular periods, no bc, husband had vasectomy.  This intense itching comes and goes and I've also noticed when I'm flared up small bumps.  Then once you get the itch settled down the area feels slightly sore.  Like you said itching in labial, clitoris area.  Tried otc yeast meds.  Worked at first then became ineffective.  Then in May saw obgyn because I couldn't take it anymore.  Had all the STD tests (all negative - no surprise there).  She said yeast infection, prescribed oral med & special itch cream worked.  Two weeks later had my period and then resumed normal sex practices.  Sure enough after first episode the itch came back.  I've been using no-dye, no-scent soaps, one type of tp without dyes or scent.  This is driving me nuts!  Why can't anyone get this to stop!  Has anyone else come across something?

[annoying]

I just came across this after posting my question which is similar to what you all are experiencing.  I have been with my husband for 5 years and recently he has been ejaculating inside me more frequently and since i have had two of the itching episodes lasting a week or longer. I assume they are yeast infections because i am prone to yeast infections and infact take acidopholus regularly. I am petrified that i am allergic to his semen and i will never be able to have a baby because he cant come inside of me without me getting ayeast infection or atleast what i think is a yeast infection.  Then i was thinking even more deep and it is strange that it just started happening after 5 years. He does take supplements and i was wondering if maybe the supplements could cause something strange in his semen which could then cause me to have a yeast infection.  Any advise would be helpful.

[72871]

I also forgot to mention that I get tears above my clit and in my perianal area.  They're just like papercuts.  Dear Annoying, funny you should mention allergy.  I was just pondering this myself the other day and wondering if it was possible and if so why didn't it show up sooner?  I clueless and so tired of the itching.  Sometimes is bearable and the others.......

[hbahr]

I am so happy to be reading this info.  I am 29 and just started having this problem this year.  I have been without sex for about 1 year, then when I began to start up again....my partner ejaculated inside of me and everything has went wrong ever since.  I have the IUD.  I have the itching for  about 2-3 weeks because I have not found any cream to work well that speeds up the healing.  I itch so badly all around the outside of my vaginal wall.  It is so bad this time around that I even feel it reaching back to my anal opening, but not quite there. I hope that someone has found the cure.  i have not been tested recently and I am way tooo scared.  I spoke to my doctor about it and he did not seem to be worried about it being an STD until I told him that I was.  Again, it is  only really bad after he ejaculates inside me.  We were also only having sex about 2-4 times a month.

[Mrsyouknowwho]

Here is a website I ran across about dryness. I have had the same problem as everyone else here for 6 yrs. and like wise been tested, scared, and mad that nothing seems to work. until I came across this and it explains a lot! My personal problem was his size, and dryness! that's it and now i wash clothes in no dye, non allergy (dreft or ALL free and clear) laundry soap, only wash perineal area with water.. making sure to not go past the opening. and no problems now! I use equate personal lube a couple times a day and during sex. that's it! Oh and I quit using tampons they add to the dryness and are bad for yeast! Hope this helps!!! Good luck!!!

http://womenshealth.com/home/628-vaginal-dryness

[shanit]

OMG I have started having this problem last year I have been married for 18 years and not been with any one else other than husband had tests for stds, bv, yeast etc. jsut like the rest and all neg now this is something new we never used condoms as I have tubal and we have no fear of pregnancy we dont have sex as often as we used to we are lucky if its 1 time a month he is very small in size so i know thats not the issue but every time we have sex afterwards the lips they itch soooo bad I mean i have cut them clawing the hell out of them becuz its the worst itch I have ever in my life had! I dont know what or why this all the sudden has happened but it would be nice if it all the sudden stopped :(