Why is my vagina stinging and painful after shaving and sex?

Question

Hi doctor,

I would like to consult regarding a personal concern. Last week, I shaved my intimate area. The next day, my partner and I had sex for the first time. It was very painful during penetration, especially at the beginning. The day after, I got my period, but we still had sex despite the bleeding. After that, I experienced pain and stinging in the outer vaginal area, especially when I urinated. It feels like there are tiny cuts or a wound, and there is also some irritation or rash-like texture. I have been using Betadine feminine wash (pink) once a day in the morning. But due to the irritation, I also applied the antiseptic Betadine solution (green bottle) externally. It stung badly at first. Now I have started using virgin coconut oil on the affected area to help soothe and heal the skin. I also started taking Trust pills on the night we had sex the first time because I was worried about getting pregnant; there was ejaculation inside. I was already three days late for my period at that time, but I continued taking the pills daily until now. We have not had sex again after that. I am unsure if the discomfort is due to the shaving, the intercourse, or a combination of both. I have stopped shaving and using harsh products and wear only seamless underwear. I just want to check if there is a wound, irritation, or infection, and what treatment I should follow.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I am very sorry about your medical condition, and I am glad that you are paying attention to changes in your body system. Thanks for your detailed and honest update. You are handling this situation with a lot of care and awareness, which is excellent.

Based on what you have described, your symptoms are most likely due to a combination of:

Friction and microtears from first-time sex: Pain during penetration (especially the first time) is very common, especially if your body was not fully relaxed or lubricated. This can cause tiny tears at the vaginal opening, leading to burning/stinging pain during urination.
Post-shaving irritation or razor burn: Shaving the intimate area makes the skin more sensitive and exposed. It can cause razor burn and micro-cuts and make the skin prone to inflammation or infection, especially when followed closely by friction from intercourse.
Chemical irritation from Betadine (especially the green antiseptic): The Betadine feminine wash (pink) is already too harsh for daily use, especially on inflamed or broken skin. The green antiseptic Betadine is meant for wound care but is far too strong for sensitive genital skin and can cause chemical burns or dermatitis. The stinging you experienced is likely a sign of irritation, not infection.

What you should do now:

Stop all strong products immediately: No more Betadine (pink or green). No soap, no feminine washes, no antiseptics. Wash gently once a day with just lukewarm water.
Continue using virgin coconut oil: Use twice a day, a thin layer on the outer vulva (not inside the vagina). It soothes, moisturizes, and has mild antibacterial properties. So if you missed your period, please do a pregnancy test for confirmation and reply to me with your result.

I hope this answers your query. Reply to me if you have more concerns or questions by scheduling a direct appointment or follow-up via chat, phone, or video consultation.

Thank you.

Why is my vagina stinging and painful after shaving and sex?

Vaginal discomfort?