What Causes Vaginal Itching After Oral Sex?

Posted on Fri, 19 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 Answered on

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I am a 26 years old female. I recently had unprotected sex. 7 days after, I started getting itching that got extremely worse in the next two days. Itching and burning in the vaginal area and what felt to be inside wore so bad I couldn't sleep for a while.This was accompanied by cold like symptoms (sore throat, fatigue, runny nose). My dr ran STD tests and found chlamydia. I was treated with antibiotics and started to feel better within 48 hours. My vagina has been very swollen and I thought that my symptoms might be due to herpes not Chlamydia. Dr examined me and didnt see any sores that looked classic to herpes. I pointed to a bump or two and she swabbed it for viral culture. Viral culture came back negative. Dr put me on Valtrex because I am about to go on a honey moon and she didnt want to risk me having untreated herpes outbreak, but she doesn't believe I have herpes. After resuming oral sexual activity, I started getting itching and burning again, which had gotten significantly better (almost gone) during the past week. I am now confused and not sure what I have. I also have mild abdominal pains that come and go and can be intense after orgasm for few minutes. I was tested negative for BV and all other STDs. Any idea what I might have? Should I be avoiding sexual activity given that it aggravated my symptoms?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Relax

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
Relax, you are probably cured of Chlamydia and do not have herpes.
Oral sex will not produce vaginal itching of an organic nature. Itching as you might know can be psychogenic and I have found some of my patients having symptoms similar to yours even after they are cured of their illness. This resulted from their lingering fear that infection is still present. Once they accepted that they are fully cured, the symptoms went away.
So believe in the fact that you are cured and enjoy your honeymoon.
Best wishes,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (22 minutes later)

Thanks Dr. I know itching can by psychogenic and I am sure my anxiety doesn't help. However, there was a huge difference in discomfort that I've had yesterday, and I've had been having sex for two days. The vaginal area is also red again which had returned back to normal few days ago. The most concerning part for me is the mild abdominal pains. They happen in the very lower abdominal and make me feel irritated like I need to pee.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to UTI

Detailed Answer:
If you have not checked your urine for Chlamydia antigen after your treatment, you could have it done to ensure that you have cleared the pathogen.
It is also possible that you are having a urinary tract infection and a urine routine examination and culture would provide the answer.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar