11 Causes of Pain During Sex
Pain during sex can become a disadvantage for a satisfactory sex life and healthy relationship. Most of the time, this sensation affects the vulva and other parts around the entrance of the vagina. However, pain can also occur in the lower back, the pelvic area, the uterus, and the bladder.
If this unpleasant experience is repeated constantly, it’s possible for the woman to lose all desire and sexual enthusiasm. Her libido may also start decreasing because her body will begin to associate sexual intercourse with pain and discomfort.
11 causes of pain during sex
Up next, we’ll be showing you 11 biological/psychological causes of pain during sex.
1. Vaginitis
Vaginitis is an inflammation in the vulva, the vagina, or both. It’s caused by a fungus or a bacteria. It manifests itself through abnormal and inconvenient vaginal flow that significantly complicates the progress of the sexual act.
If you suffer from vaginitis, you should definitely go see your gynecologist as soon as possible.
2. Skin issues
Dermatological disorders such as genital ulcers located in the delicate skin of the vulva are one of the most common causes of pain during sex. It’s also possible for this pain to be due to dermatitis or allergic reactions caused by an imbalance of the pH of the vaginal flora.
This is why it’s not advisable to use perfumed soaps and commercial lubricants. It’s preferable to just use clean water and natural moisturizers such as coconut oil or olive oil.
3. Vaginal dryness
There’s no specific age in which vaginal dryness occurs, it could happen to anyone. However, it’s more common during and after the woman goes through menopause because the level of female hormones decreases significantly.
This hormonal imbalance affects the natural lubrication of the vagina, giving place to irritations that make the sexual act very painful. It’s advisable to use aloe vera for relief, and jojoba oil or coconut oil for lubrication.
4. Injuries during intercourse
On occasions, some internal injuries occur due to excessive dilation of the vaginal fundus. Said injuries can cause severe pain, making it almost impossible for the individuals to continue on with intercourse.
If you’re experiencing persisting pain during sex and it’s causing other symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult a specialist as soon as possible.
5. Vaginismus
Vaginismus is a disease characterized by involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. This contraction makes penetration very difficult, painful, and sometimes impossible.
This is a psychic disorder of sexual behavior that can be treated by a psychologist or a sexologist in just a few sessions. In addition, women who experience this should also perform specific exercises for the pelvic floor muscles on a regular basis.
6. Episiotomy
This refers to a surgical incision made by the doctor during childbirth to facilitate the delivery of the baby. If this incision isn’t completely cured, it can cause severe pain during the sexual act for months after the delivery.
Doctors recommend carrying out physical therapies, meditation, and in more extreme cases, surgery.
7. Latex allergy
Some women are allergic to latex or to the lubricating substance in condoms. This makes the woman suffer from unbearable itching and redness to the point of making intercourse unpleasant and uncomfortable.
8. Emotional problems
Emotional health is essential to be able to feel pleasure during the sexual act. Feelings such as fear, guilt, shame or stress can prevent you from reaching the level of relaxation you need to achieve orgasm or to simply enjoy sex.
All of this can make your libido decrease, making penetration very painful for you. However, the pain can also be due to insufficient lubrication or lack of excitement.
9. Relationship problems
Lack of communication or infidelities can have a very negative impact on a couple’s sexual life, as they can affect desire. All of these difficulties are so prominent in the individuals’ minds that they can do nothing else but think about them. This makes relaxation pretty much impossible, giving place to a painful intercourse.
10. Certain drugs
Among the side effects of contraceptive pills, some antibiotics, and analgesics, there is a decrease in the libido and an altered lubrication of the vagina.
11. Cystitis
Cystitis refers to an inflammation of the bladder. Some might think this would have nothing to do with it, but it can actually represent an obstacle to a satisfactory and painless sexual life. The constant desire to pee and the pain it causes will make sexual intercourse impossible until receiving the proper treatment for it.
It’s important for you to seek professional help if you find that the sexual act is more uncomfortable than pleasant. A happy and fulfilling sex life is essential in a relationship, so it’s vital that these issues get resolved so you can continue enjoying intercourse. Don’t be afraid to talk to your partner or your doctor about your symptoms!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- García-Pérez, H., & Harlow, S. D. (2010). Cuando el coito produce dolor: una exploración de la sexualidad femenina en el noroeste de México. Salud pública de México, 52(2), 148-155. http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?pid=S0036-36342010000200007&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en
- Ezcurra, R., Lamberto, N., & Peñas, V. (2009). Dolor abdomino-pélvico en ginecología. In Anales del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra (Vol. 32, pp. 49-58). Gobierno de Navarra. Departamento de Salud. http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/asisna/v32s1/ginecologia5.pdf
