What Causes Uncomfortable or Painful Sex?
If you’re experiencing painful sex there may be several factors that are contributing to the pain you feel. These might be physical or psychological causes, usually it will be some combination of both. If you’re trying to figure out where to start it can be helpful to consider some of the most common causes of painful sex.
Some of the factors that may cause you to feel discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse include:
Around the time of menopause, your body produce significantly less female hormon (estrogen). As the level of estrogen declines, the vaginal walls tend to thin out and become dry. This is why many women complain about uncomfortable or painful sex at this time in their lives.
- Vaginal dryness
This is the most common cause of painful sex in women, and it can also make sex painful for men. Vaginal dryness, or a lack of moisture in the vagina, can result from certain medications, irritants, health conditions, and psychological issues.
- Psychological issues
Emotions play a major role in both men’s and women’s ability to enjoy sex. In women, fear, guilt, anxiety, and the emotional toll of negative sexual experiences can prevent them from becoming aroused and producing the lubrication they need for comfortable sex. In men, the same emotions can lead to painful intercourse.
- Vaginal infection
Certain vaginal infections, such as vaginal yeast infections and trichomoniasis, are often present without noticeable symptoms. However, during sexual intercourse, the rubbing motion of the penis against the vagina and genitalia sometimes causes the symptoms of these vaginal infections (stinging, burning) to intensify. Genital herpes sores are another frequent cause of pain during sex.
While many women enjoy an active and comfortable sex life throughout their entire pregnancies, some pregnant women find sex uncomfortable, especially as the uterus grows larger. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding sometimes lead to vaginal dryness, which can result in painful sex.
- Health issues
For men and women, irritation, inflammation, or infection of the genitals can cause uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse. In women, soaps, vaginal sprays, and douches can irritate the vulva and lead to painful sex. Conditions such as vaginitis, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease can also cause uncomfortable sex in women. In men, allergies to contraceptives and infections such as prostatitis can make sex uncomfortable or painful.
- Other conditions
Women who feel sexual pain deep inside their bodies may have a serious problem, such as a uterus abnormality, a mass in the pelvis, a disease of the bowel or bladder, scar tissue, or cysts on the ovaries.
Pain and discomfort are never part of normal sexual intercourse. If you experience pain during sex, don’t be afraid to tell your partner who has no way of knowing that you’re uncomfortable unless you talk about what you’re feeling. Also make sure to see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause.