Cramps after sex are a common problem, but they can be triggered by more than just orgasm. Some people have a dry vagina, which can increase friction and cause pain; a pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) infection; or an intrauterine device (IUD) that can create irritation.
Most women can work around this pain by timing their sexual activity to take advantage of their fertile window – This detail is the fruit of the website team’s labor ideal-sexe.com. But others might need a doctor to determine the cause.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is when tissue that looks and acts like the lining of your uterus grows outside of your uterus. These cells build up and bleed each month, just as your uterus’s lining does. But the blood has nowhere to go, so it gets trapped in the pelvis and causes pain. Over time, the tissue can grow into cysts and scars. This can cause long-term pain and infertility. It also affects the way your ovaries work and can lead to painful periods and sexual dysfunction.
Two-thirds of women with endometriosis report sexual dysfunction and most say that sex hurts during intercourse. The pain, called dyspareunia, can range from a mild ache to stabbing pain and can last for hours or even days after sex. It usually gets worse closer to the start of your period. It can also be triggered by certain positions and types of sex.
Women with endometriosis often struggle to talk about it with their partners, as they might feel they are being rejected or accused of wrongdoing. This can put a strain on the relationship and lead to avoidance of sex, which in turn can lead to more pain, both physical and emotional. It is important to find other ways to connect with your partner, such as kissing, foreplay and mutual masturbation. In some cases, this can reduce pain during sex and improve sexual function.
Ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs in one of your ovaries. Women have two ovaries, located on each side of the uterus. Each ovary releases eggs in monthly cycles during the childbearing years. Most ovarian cysts are harmless and go away on their own without treatment. However, if the cysts twist or burst, they can cause serious symptoms.
The most common ovarian cysts are functional cysts, which form as part of your menstrual cycle. They often cause a dull ache or pain in the lower abdomen on the opposite side of your pelvis. You may also experience a fullness or feeling of pressure in the abdomen, particularly during intercourse.
Most functional cysts form when a follicle that produces an egg doesn’t open and release it during your monthly cycle. This causes a follicle cyst, which usually goes away in 1 to 3 months. They can also form if the empty follicle shrinks and then fills with fluid, causing corpus luteum cysts. These often disappear within weeks, but can also bleed or cause pelvic pain.
Other types of ovarian cysts are not related to your menstrual cycle and can be painful, especially during sex. Some of these are benign, but others may be cancerous. If a cyst is large and doesn’t go away, your doctor might perform surgery through a small cut in the abdomen (laparotomy). This can involve taking out a portion of the cyst or the entire ovary.
Fibroids
Fibroids, also called leiomyomas or myomas, are muscular tumors that grow in or on your uterus. They can vary in size, shape and location. Some are so small that your health care provider can’t see them with a physical exam or other test. Others are very large. They might affect the size of your uterus or the way your cervix (the opening to your uterus) opens, and they may cause sex pain when you’re deep penetration.
The uterus (womb) is a hollow, muscular organ in the pelvis. It is where a baby grows and develops after fertilization from the egg in the fallopian tubes. When you’re not pregnant, the uterus is lined with a thin layer of endometrium. The lining is shed monthly as part of your menstrual cycle. If you have fibroids, a health care provider will perform a pelvic exam and other tests to diagnose them. These may include a pelvic ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your abdomen, which uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the uterus.
Your doctor might prescribe medications to shrink your fibroid or cut off its blood supply and decrease pain and bleeding. If these don’t work, surgery might be needed. A hysterectomy is surgical removal of the uterus. This is the most effective treatment for fibroids and can prevent them from coming back.
Vulvodynia
Women with vulvodynia experience pain in the vulva tissue that makes it difficult to use the bathroom, urinate or have sex. It also affects their quality of life and can strain a woman’s relationships. Some sufferers report that they are unable to participate in work or other activities.
Vulvodynia can cause pain in a specific spot, or it may feel like throbbing, stinging or itching throughout the vulva. It can also feel raw and exposed. The pain is neuropathic, meaning it comes from abnormal signals sent by nerves in the area. It is not caused by STIs, sexually transmitted diseases or infections, or by medications.
There are a variety of treatment options for vulvodynia, including medication, physical therapy and other non-pharmacological approaches. Exercise improves circulation and increases the production of natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body. Avoiding tight clothing and using a water-based lubricant during sexual activity can reduce friction and discomfort. Using unscented soaps, pads or tampons and avoiding perfumed creams and spermicides can also help.
Women with severe vulvodynia can undergo vestibulectomy, which involves removing the painful tissue in the vulvar vestibule. This procedure is generally reserved for women who are unable to find relief through more conservative treatments. Psychological counseling and sex therapy may also ease symptoms. Education and awareness of the condition are important for diagnosis and treatment.
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