Burning, perineal swelling and intermittent pain in the genital area after sexual intercourse

If you have any of the following, seek emergency care or call for urgent medical help: high fever, severe bleeding, very severe pain, fainting or loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, inability to urinate, or rapidly spreading genital redness or swelling. These signs may indicate a medical emergency.

• High fever or chills
• Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
• Inability to pass urine
• Fainting, loss of consciousness or severe lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath or trouble swallowing

These symptoms do not always come from a single cause; clinicians usually consider several general categories.

• Microbial infections (for example vaginitis, genital viral infections such as genital herpes)
• Skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis (for example to condoms, lubricants or soaps)
• Mechanical trauma or friction-related tissue irritation
• Urinary tract–related causes
• Other dermatological conditions or chronic pain syndromes

This list does not provide a diagnosis; physical examination and tests are needed to clarify the cause.

During the visit your clinician will ask about the timing of symptoms, whether they followed sexual activity, any discharge, and partner history. A physical examination and appropriate sample collection may be performed. These steps guide diagnosis and management.

• Detailed history: onset, relation to intercourse, previous similar episodes
• Physical examination: inspection of the external genitalia and, if needed, a speculum exam
• Laboratory tests: where indicated, swabs from vaginal/cervical/urethral sites or urine tests
• Microbiological testing or cultures when appropriate to identify organisms

The specific tests ordered depend on clinical findings and the clinician's judgment.

For initial evaluation and referral, one of the following specialties is commonly involved depending on findings and urgency:

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology — often the first point of care for people with female genital symptoms
• Family Medicine — primary care assessment and coordination
• Dermatology and Venereal Diseases — when a skin cause or sexually transmitted infection is suspected
• Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology or Urology — for complex or unclear cases

The most appropriate department depends on your symptoms and findings at examination.