Lower abdominal pain during sex can be caused by many different things. For example, it could be an infection like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or abnormal growths such as ovarian cysts or fibroid.
It can also be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy (where the fertilized egg implants outside your uterus). If you are pregnant and experiencing this pain, it is important to see your doctor right away.
Causes
If your pain is short-lived or improves with a change of position, it probably doesn’t require a trip to the doctor. But if it becomes persistent, it’s important to communicate with your partner about what is causing the pain and find ways to address it. This could include trying different positions that put less pressure on the pelvic area, using pillows or lubricant to ease discomfort, and making adjustments to your sexual routine to help reduce pain.
A few women have uterine contractions after reaching an orgasm that can cause stomach pain. If these cramps are severe, come with bleeding, or get worse quickly, call your practitioner right away. They may be early labor or a sign of a dangerous condition called ectopic pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.
Another cause of pain during sex is a uterine condition known as fibroids, which are noncancerous tumors that grow inside or on the uterus. In some cases, they can irritate the cervix or ovaries.
A genital infection can also cause lower abdominal pain during sex, such as herpes or chlamydia. Other infections that don’t need to be sexually transmitted, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or a urinary tract infection, can also cause pain during sex.
Symptoms
A pelvic infection can cause pain in your lower abdomen after sex, especially if you have scarring from a past pelvic inflammatory disease or a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or herpes.1 If the pain is very consistent and accompanied by other symptoms, such as a burning sensation when you pee or a urinary tract infection, it’s best to call your doctor.
Sometimes the lower abdominal pain after sex is due to deep penetration or a sex position that’s not comfortable. If you and your partner can try alternative sex positions, you should feel better. Lubricant, over-the-counter pain relievers, and a warm bath can help, too.
If you’re in your first trimester of pregnancy, cramping after sex is normal as the uterus grows to make room for your baby. But if the pain lasts more than an hour or is accompanied by bleeding, call your doctor right away.
Women are also more prone to yeast infections during pregnancy, which can be painful and cause burning after sex. A yeast infection can be caused by vaginal secretions that feed the yeast, so if you have other symptoms of a yeast infection, such as frequent peeing or a burning sensation when you pee, it’s important to talk to your gynecologist.
Treatment
While stomach pain can be uncomfortable for both the pregnant woman and her partner, it is important to remember that most of the time this type of pain is not serious. However, persistent pain should be addressed with a healthcare professional in order to determine the cause and find a treatment plan that is best for you.
Sometimes, pain during sex is caused by an infection like a yeast infection or urinary tract infection (UTI). This can result in itching, burning and unusual odor or creamy or gray discharge, and should be treated immediately with medication. Other times, a sexually transmitted disease like chlamydia or gonorrhea can also trigger pain and cramping during sex.
In some cases, women can experience lower abdominal pain during sex due to an abnormal growth in the reproductive organs called a cyst or fibroid. While these growths are not usually painful, they can if they bump against the ovaries or fallopian tubes during sex. Additionally, a woman’s cervix may become inflamed and painful during sex if it is injured or damaged by rough sex. Lastly, it is important to communicate with your partner about any pain or discomfort you are experiencing during sexual activity so that both of you can work together to make the situation more comfortable for both of you.
Prevention
Any kind of pain sucks, but it’s especially disappointing when it occurs after something you consider pleasurable. It’s important to communicate with your partner about what position or other factors might be causing discomfort, and to try to resolve the issue by switching positions or using lubricant.
Occasionally, infections that aren’t sexually transmitted can cause pelvic pain after sex. Chlamydia and gonorrhea, for example, can cause abdominal cramps that can linger after intercourse. Other infections, including pelvic inflammatory disease and urinary tract infections (UTIs), can also trigger pain in the pelvis after sexual activity.
Pain after sex is also more common in women than men, which may be due to the structure of the uterus. Women’s uteruses tend to be tilted differently than those of men, and the positioning can cause pain and irritation during sex. Similarly, women with endometriosis may experience pain around the genitals and stomach during sex.
Generally, painful sex isn’t serious, but it’s worth bringing up with your doctor if you have significant pain or bleeding or are at risk for a high-risk pregnancy. You should also see a gynecologist if you’re experiencing regular stomach pain that doesn’t improve with changes in position or with the use of lubricant. Your gynecologist will be able to diagnose the underlying problem and provide treatment options.
See Also:
