What should you know about menopause burning vulva?

Lower oestrogen can reduce moisture and make vulval and vaginal tissue more delicate, leading to burning, stinging, itching, soreness, or discomfort with sex or urination. Soap, scented products, washing too often, tight clothing, friction, thrush, urinary infection, herpes, eczema, and other skin conditions can feel similar. The location, appearance of the skin, discharge, and urinary symptoms help a clinician narrow the cause.

Wash gently with lukewarm water or a fragrance-free cleanser, pat dry, and avoid douches, scented wipes, deodorants, and harsh laundry products. Choose breathable underwear and change out of damp clothing. Arrange an examination if symptoms persist, recur, follow sex, or come with discharge or urinary pain. Treatment depends on the cause and may include a suitable moisturiser, lubricant, prescribed local treatment, or anti-infective medicine.

Seek prompt medical advice for sores, blisters, bleeding, a new lump, foul-smelling discharge, fever, pelvic pain, or burning with difficulty passing urine. Urgent care is needed if you cannot urinate, have severe pain, or feel very unwell. Do not assume persistent burning is simply menopause.

Ask whether the tissue looks dry or inflamed, whether a swab or urine test is needed, which products are safe, and whether local menopause treatment suits your medical history.