If sex is uncomfortable or painful, it’s easy to wonder if sex just hurts. And if this has always been the way sex has been for you, you may simply think that this is how sex should be.
Patients regularly experience such symptoms, doctors say. “This is a big problem we have as obstetricians and gynecologists: there is almost an expectation that sex is painful.” Dr. Lauren StreicherClinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicinetold Yahoo Life. “People who are in constant pain think it’s normal. It’s not.”
Dr. Mary Jane MinkinClinical Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. Yale University School of Medicine,Agree. “Sex shouldn’t hurt,” she tells Yahoo Life.
Women’s health experts say that if you have pain during sex, it generally indicates something is wrong with your health. Dr. Jennifer Weider told Yahoo Life. “Frequent or moderate to severe pain is usually an indication that something is wrong and is a strong indication that you should consult your healthcare provider,” she says.
There is a medical term for this. intercourse pain — and it is used to describe pain in the genitals before, during, or after sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, pain during sexual activity is common. Nearly three in four women experience painful intercourse at some point in their lives, according to the report. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). It may be short term. It may be long term.Notable: Only 5% of men reported Severe pain during sexual intercourse.
Widder says there are “many” causes of painful intercourse, and stresses the importance of seeing a doctor for help if you’re experiencing these symptoms. But what are the signs of painful sex (other than pain) and what conditions do they indicate? A gynecologist will break it down.
What are the signs of painful sex?
At baseline, painful sex is accompanied by pain during intercourse. But sometimes it’s more specific than that. According to ACOG, you may feel pain in the vulva (near the entrance to the vagina) or inside the vagina. Pain may also be felt in the perineum, the area between the opening of the vagina and the anus, in the lower back, pelvic area, uterus, and bladder.
You can be even more specific. “You may experience pain, burning, sharp or shooting sensations during penetration or thrusting, and throbbing or soreness during or after intercourse,” Dr. Weider says.
What symptoms are often associated with painful sex?
There are quite a few:
-
Vaginal spasm. This is a condition in which the muscles around the vagina involuntarily tighten and contract. Cleveland Clinic Explains. It is unknown why some women experience this, but it is related to anxiety disorders, birth injuries, previous surgeries, fear of sex, or a history of sexual abuse or rape. Women with vaginal spasms have pain during vaginal insertion, pain during intercourse, and difficulty getting a pelvic examination because of muscle spasms and pain.
-
Infection. A variety of infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea and genital herpes, can cause pain during sex, Streicher said. The symptoms for each are slightly different, but are generally caused by unprotected sex with an infected partner.
-
menopause. Menopause causes a decrease in estrogen in women, which can cause vaginal dryness. This can cause pain during insertion during sex, says Minkin.
-
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Also known as IBS, this condition is a constellation of symptoms that includes abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements, including diarrhea, constipation, or both. National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It can also cause pain during sexual activity in women, Streicher said.
-
Endometriosis. This is a condition in which the endometrium, or endometrium-like cells, grow outside the uterus. Mayo Clinic explains. Symptoms include painful periods, painful intercourse, excessive bleeding, and painful bowel movements. The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, according to the Mayo Clinic.
-
Uterine fibroid. Uterine fibroids are tumors that arise from the muscle tissue of the uterus, ACOG says. It can cause symptoms such as menstrual cramps, back pain, painful intercourse, and infertility. The cause of uterine fibroids is not clear.
“A dry vagina usually makes sex painful right after penetration,” says Minkin. “The most common cause of vaginal dryness is related to estrogen decline, such as during menopause. However, breastfeeding women also often have dry vaginas because their estrogen levels are very low. If sex hurts with deep penetration, it’s usually not a vaginal problem, but “related to something going on in your pelvis, like endometriosis,” she explains.
How to talk to your doctor or partner if sex is painful
Widder says it’s important to talk to your partner if sex is painful. “Be open and honest,” she advised, noting that doing so would help us tackle the issue together.
“The impact of painful sex is much greater than the sex itself, and it affects relationships,” says Streicher. “You may go into avoidance mode because you don’t want to tell your partner that sex hurts.
Dr. Streicher recommends making a specific appointment to discuss pain during sex with your OB-GYN rather than bringing it up during your OB-GYN’s appointment. “So many women wait for their annual visit, but often don’t have enough time to get a deep understanding of what’s really going on,” she says. “It’s supposed to be a visit from a wealthy woman, but this is not a wealthy woman. It’s a problem.”
Widder says it’s important to make your feelings clear to your doctor. And if it doesn’t seem to work, it’s important to see another doctor. “If your doctor isn’t an expert on the subject, they might say, ‘Take a bath, have a glass of wine, relax more,’ but there’s no real solution,” Streicher said. To tell. “If your family doctor doesn’t help, you need to see a specialist.”
