Sexual health symptoms can come and go because many of the systems involved—skin and mucous membranes, hormones, pelvic muscles, nerves, blood flow, mood, medications, infections, and the menstrual cycle—change over time and respond to context. A symptom disappearing for a few days does not always mean the underlying issue has resolved, and a symptom returning does not by itself identify the cause.
The most useful step before a medical appointment is to record a simple timeline: what the symptom is, when it appears, how long it lasts, what was happening around that time, and whether there are associated symptoms. That gives a clinician more to work with than a single snapshot from the day of the visit.
This article uses current U.S. clinical and public-health guidance available as of September 30, 2026. It is general information, not a diagnosis. Sexual health symptoms can overlap across many conditions, so persistent, recurrent, new, or concerning symptoms deserve professional evaluation.
There is no single explanation. Intermittent symptoms are common across several very different categories, which is exactly why tracking context matters.
Burning, itching, soreness, or pain around the genitals may worsen after sex, shaving, tight clothing, sweating, a new soap, detergent, lubricant, condom product, or other exposure, then improve when the exposure stops. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that contact dermatitis can affect the vulva and may be triggered by irritating substances such as perfumed soaps, douches, or lubricants. ACOG also notes that some vulvar pain conditions may be intermittent or provoked by touch, sex, tampon use, or snug clothing. See ACOG guidance on painful sex and ACOG guidance on vulvar pain, burning, and itching.
Hormone levels can change with menstrual cycles, pregnancy and the postpartum period, breastfeeding, perimenopause, menopause, some cancer treatments, and certain medicines. ACOG explains that lower estrogen levels can contribute to vaginal dryness, burning, irritation, reduced lubrication, and pain with sex. Symptoms may feel more noticeable at some times than others, especially when sexual activity or other friction makes dryness more apparent. See ACOG guidance on vaginal dryness.
Changes in erection quality, arousal, or sexual performance may be inconsistent. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases describes erectile dysfunction symptoms as sometimes being able to get an erection but not every time, or getting one that does not last long enough. NIDDK also lists stress, anxiety, depression, several medications, hormone problems, vascular conditions, and other health issues among possible contributors. That means context—such as whether symptoms happen only in certain situations, after a medication change, or during a period of high stress—can be clinically useful. See the NIDDK overview of erectile dysfunction symptoms and causes, last reviewed October 2024.
Symptoms that fade are not a reliable way to rule out a sexually transmitted infection. CDC guidance says many STIs can be asymptomatic. For example, CDC notes that trichomoniasis symptoms can come and go, while genital herpes can cause repeated outbreaks that are often shorter and less severe than the first. Syphilis is another important example: a primary sore can heal without treatment, and later stages can have different symptoms or no visible symptoms for a period of time. See the CDC trichomoniasis overview, the CDC genital herpes overview, and the CDC syphilis overview.
That is why “it went away” is not enough to decide whether testing is unnecessary. CDC’s STI testing guidance, updated March 17, 2026, emphasizes that many infections cause no symptoms and that testing decisions depend on factors such as age, sexual history, current practices, symptoms, and local epidemiology. See CDC guidance on STI testing.
You do not need an elaborate diary. A few precise observations are usually more useful than pages of speculation. The goal is to help the clinician answer three questions: What exactly is happening? What pattern does it follow? What exposures or health changes might be relevant?
| Detail to track | Useful examples |
|---|---|
| Symptom and location | Itching on external skin, deep pelvic pain, burning with urination, pain during penetration, erection difficulty, genital sore, discharge, bleeding, reduced sensation |
| Start and duration | First noticed September 12; lasts 20 minutes after sex; returns every few days; present only in mornings |
| Severity and trend | Mild, moderate, or severe; improving, stable, or becoming more frequent |
| Timing relative to sex | Before, during, immediately after, or the next day; with or without condoms or lubricant |
| Menstrual or hormonal context | Cycle day, recent pregnancy, breastfeeding, perimenopause symptoms, hormone therapy, contraception changes |
| Associated symptoms | Fever, rash, sores, odor, discharge, bleeding, urinary urgency, testicular swelling, lower-abdominal pain, nausea |
| New exposures | Soap, detergent, lubricant, condom type, topical product, shaving or waxing, new medication or supplement |
| Sexual exposure history | New partner, number of partners, types of sexual contact, condom or barrier use, known partner STI diagnosis |
| Medication and health changes | New antidepressant, blood-pressure medicine, hormone medicine, recent illness, diabetes control changes, major stress |
“I think I have an infection” gives less information than “I have burning with urination and a new discharge that started three days after sex.” Likewise, “low libido” becomes more useful when paired with context: “desire is lower than usual for the last month, but arousal is normal once sexual activity begins,” or “the change started two weeks after a medication dose increase.”
If there is a visible skin change, sore, rash, or swelling that comes and goes, a dated photo may help if you are comfortable taking one for your own medical record. Do not share intimate images through unsecured channels, and do not delay evaluation simply to wait for the symptom to reappear. A clinician may be able to test or examine you even when symptoms are not at their peak.
Patterns often provide the most useful clues. Mention whether a symptom happens only with one product, one sexual activity, one phase of the menstrual cycle, or one medication schedule. Also mention whether there are symptom-free periods and how long they last.
For example, intermittent irritation that predictably follows a fragranced product suggests a different evaluation path from recurrent sores that heal and return. Pain that occurs only with penetration is different from pelvic pain that persists afterward. Erection changes that occur in every setting deserve a different history than changes limited to certain circumstances. None of those patterns proves a diagnosis, but each can help a clinician decide what questions, examination, or testing are appropriate.
Some conditions that need treatment can be subtle. CDC notes that pelvic inflammatory disease can be mild or even asymptomatic, and that symptoms may include lower-abdominal pain, fever, unusual vaginal discharge, pain or bleeding with sex, burning with urination, or bleeding between periods. The CDC treatment guidelines emphasize that mild or nonspecific symptoms can be missed. See the CDC PID overview and CDC PID treatment guidelines.
Similarly, unexplained genital sores deserve medical evaluation even if they are painless or disappear. Syphilis sores can heal without treatment, and genital herpes outbreaks can recur. A fading lesion therefore should not be treated as proof that nothing infectious is present.
Seek urgent or emergency care rather than waiting for a routine appointment when symptoms suggest a time-sensitive problem. Examples include:
Make an appointment when symptoms are new, recurrent, persistent, unexplained, or affecting sex, urination, relationships, or quality of life. That includes recurring genital itching or burning, pain with sex, unexplained discharge or odor, genital sores, erection or arousal changes that persist, bleeding after sex, or symptoms following a possible STI exposure.
ACOG specifically advises contacting a health professional for vulvar skin changes, itching, burning, or pain. CDC recommends discussing appropriate STI testing openly with a health care provider because testing depends on individual risk and practices, not symptoms alone.
Do not start leftover antibiotics or someone else’s medication. Do not stop a prescribed medicine because you suspect it is affecting sexual function without discussing it with the prescriber; NIDDK specifically advises talking with a health professional before changing medicines that may contribute to erectile symptoms. Avoid repeated use of harsh cleansers, douches, or fragranced products on irritated genital tissue.
If an STI is possible, consider avoiding sexual contact until you have medical advice, particularly when there are sores, unusual discharge, or a partner with a known infection. If you do have sex, barrier use can reduce but not eliminate risk for all infections.
Before you go, write a one-paragraph summary: “This started on [date]. The main symptom is [specific symptom and location]. It happens [frequency/duration]. I notice it most often after [context]. Other symptoms are [list]. Relevant changes include [new partner, product, medication, cycle or hormonal change].” Add your medication list and any known STI test dates or results.
You do not need to solve the problem before you arrive. The point of tracking is to preserve details that are easy to forget and to help your clinician decide which examination, laboratory tests, or follow-up questions are appropriate. Symptoms that come and go can still be medically meaningful; a clear timeline makes that fluctuation easier to evaluate without assuming what the diagnosis is.