Expert: Inna Apolikhina, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductology of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. Head of the gynecological department of rehabilitation treatment and day hospital of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Scientific Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Kulakov" under the leadership of Academician G. T. Sukhikh.
Women face this problem more often than men. According to statistics, every third person knows about this first-hand. There can be many reasons for such pain - both physiological and psychological. The manifestations are also varied - from sharp and stabbing to pulling. In any case, you should not endure it, and if unpleasant sensations appear, the first thing you need to do is run to a gynecologist in order to rule out dangerous diseases and, of course, get rid of discomfort. Let's look at the most common causes of pain during sexual intercourse.
Not ready, what's wrong?
Feel
During penetration, pain occurs, a feeling of tightness and unpleasant friction during friction. After sex, the vagina becomes inflamed or irritated.
Probable Cause
Insufficient lubricant release. Sometimes this happens simply because the woman is not aroused. Perhaps the foreplay is too short. In this case, the problem can be solved without a doctor. However, vaginal dryness can also be caused by taking oral contraceptives, breastfeeding and menopause. In this case, the reason is a decrease in the level of estrogen in the blood, this leads to a sharp thinning of the vaginal mucosa, it becomes susceptible to damage and painful sensations may occur during sexual intercourse. Inna Apolikhina notes that from the age of 30, women’s levels of sex hormones decrease by 1–3% annually; by the age of 50, the drop in hormones is 20%. But this is not scary, the doctor can prescribe suitable medications, estrogen-containing creams, suppositories, various moisturizing substances based on tea tree extracts and extracts, and PH-neutral lubricants. All this helps to moisturize the mucous membrane and reduce discomfort.
Urological diseases
Pain after sex in men occurs with the following urological diseases:
- urethritis;
- balanoposthitis;
- chronic prostatitis;
- vesiculitis;
- rapid ejaculation.
Inflammation of the urethra, bladder, and ascending infections in the genitourinary system are the main causes. If the pain is clearly localized and does not intensify, injuries to the frenulum and compression of the genitals by tight clothing are possible.
Associated symptoms:
- urinary disturbance;
- enlarged inguinal lymph nodes;
- atypical discharge;
- increased body temperature;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
The pain may intensify immediately after ejaculation, during active physical activity, and during sharp turns. A stable increase in pain is a reason to make an appointment with a urologist as soon as possible!
Danger signal
Feel
Wandering pain in the perineum or lower abdomen, frequent urge to urinate, painful urination, and itching may also be observed.
Probable Cause
Urinary tract infections (UTI). Many of them can cause inflammation or neoplasms that provoke discomfort during sexual intercourse, for example, genital warts form on the external genitalia (a consequence of the human papillomavirus). Herpes and trichomoniasis can also cause pain. Such BMIs not only cause inconvenience in your personal life, but can also lead to infertility and even the development of malignant tumors. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed, the greater the chances of a successful outcome. And of course, after therapy the pain should disappear.
You annoy me!
Researcher Michael Caroll from the University of Manchester, after long-term observations, discovered that itching, burning, pain, inflammation of the mucous membrane after sexual intercourse in 12% of cases is caused by a banal allergy to the sperm of the chosen one! The symptoms are similar to those of sexually transmitted diseases or thrush, but they occur about an hour after sex or immediately, rather than weeks later. In this case, it is enough to undergo a course of treatment with special drugs and you can forget about the problem.
Causes of pain during sexual intercourse
Such symptoms are characteristic of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system. Since infections are accompanied by inflammation, diagnosis includes checking both the urological and venereal profiles.
Main reasons:
- inflammation of the genitourinary system;
- STD;
- genital trauma;
- psychogenic pain syndrome;
- varicocele;
- neoplasms.
Only a urologist, venereologist or surgeon can make a diagnosis based on the results of examination and laboratory tests! Attempting to independently establish the cause will only trigger the pathology and contribute to complications.
No entry allowed
Feel
When excited, throbbing pain occurs in the labia. Sometimes it can be so strong that sexual intercourse is simply impossible. You can also feel lumps near the entrance to the vagina.
Probable Cause
Bartholinitis is an inflammation of the Bartholin glands (they are located on the inner labia and are responsible for the secretion of lubricant during sexual arousal), while the channels become clogged and swelling and discomfort appear. Similar symptoms are observed with glandular cysts; if they appear on both sides, then entry into the vagina will be extremely difficult. In this case, you need to contact a gynecologist as soon as possible.
Contributing Factors
Healthy men are recommended to undergo a preventive examination by a urologist once a year. Associated factors require more regular examination - once every 6 months. These factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle with congestion in the pelvis;
- diabetes;
- hypothermia;
- foci of chronic infection in the body, carriage;
- disharmony of sexual activity: unstable relationships, frequent interruption of sexual intercourse, regular change of partners.
Urological diseases in a family history are another indication for regular preventive examination.
Just not there
Feel
With deep penetration during sexual intercourse, sharp pain is observed on the right or left. During menstruation, a pulling sensation may also occur in this place.
Probable Cause
Ovarian cyst. This is a benign formation (a cavity with thin walls filled with liquid). It can be detected using ultrasound. The doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment and possibly laparoscopy. When having sex, until the problem is resolved, it is better to choose positions that allow you to control the depth of penetration - for example, “woman on top”.
Not true to size
There is an opinion that pain may occur due to a discrepancy between the sizes of the penis and vagina. This is very rare, since the vagina is very elastic and easily adapts to shape and length.
Should I end intimate relationships?
Only a doctor can answer this question after carrying out diagnostic measures. During the inflammatory process, intimate relationships are undesirable due to the high risk of the pathology spreading to healthy tissues and organs. If one of the partners has a specific or nonspecific infection, then sexual contact will lead to primary or secondary infection.
After examination and diagnosis, the doctor will tell you whether to pause intimate relationships.
By-effect
Feel
Throbbing or spasmodic pain in the lower abdomen. Sharp, piercing and radiating into the leg.
Probable Cause
Any inflammation in the back, pelvis, muscles, tendons or nerves, diseases of the spine, intervertebral hernia can cause similar sensations.
In any case, even if this is precisely the problem, it is worth starting an examination with a gynecologist to rule out varicose veins in the pelvic area (the symptoms are similar). In addition, the doctor will tell you which specialist you should contact.
And men too
Like women, they may experience pain during sexual intercourse. There are many reasons for this, but most often it is due to infectious diseases. With inflammation of the glans penis, with balanoposthitis (the head does not open, the foreskin is motionless), sex turns into torture, as with the appearance of genital warts. But itching and burning can be caused by an allergy, for example, to latex.
What to do to relieve pain
Physical health also depends on your emotional state. Often a woman is unable to concentrate on having sex if she has any problems due to nervous tension. And constant dissatisfaction becomes the cause of various functional disorders.
If the doctor has not found any serious obstacles to ending intimate relationships, then it is better to have sex in the position on top, with your back turned to the man. Pain will not occur or its severity will significantly decrease during sexual intercourse in positions where the man is behind.
No need for feats
Do not forget that pain is, first of all, a warning signal about disorders in the body, and you should not “endure for the sake of love.” When a woman bravely endures unpleasant sensations, the mucous membrane becomes inflamed and only gets worse. This is reflected in everyday life. Gynecologists note that such troubles often provoke increased irritability and lead to psychological problems. In addition, if the cause is infection, such heroism can lead to infertility. Therefore, you cannot waste time and put off visiting a gynecologist and treatment. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable.
Author: Maria Veselova Published: September 14, 2016
When the left side of the lower back hurts
Unilateral localization of pain in men often indicates urological problems, in women - inflammation of the pelvic organs. This is usually how vaginitis (colpitis) manifests itself. This is a whole group of pathologies that are accompanied by inflammatory processes in the vaginal mucosa. Pain in the left lower back often signals the progression of osteochondrosis. If a formed intervertebral hernia or bone growths (osteophytes) infringe on the spinal roots located on the left, then pain appears on the same side.
Left back hurts
With unilateral pain, kidney stones can be suspected.
Sometimes pain occurs on the left side immediately after sexual intercourse. It is temporary, but can get worse during sex. With syndrome on the lower left side, renal failure in men can be suspected. When this type of discomfort occurs in women, the symptom is associated with inflammation of the appendages.
Also at risk include people who:
- lead a sedentary lifestyle;
- have a cold or are infected with the influenza virus and ARVI;
- have incorrect posture;
- diseases of the spinal column are not treated;
- have recently been injured.
If pathologies of any nature are identified, you should not refuse treatment, as negative consequences and complications are possible.
What to do
Stagnation of blood in the pelvis leads to inflammation and pain in the lower back.
Many patients do not rush to see a doctor after the onset of pain. They try to take analgesics. This approach is acceptable if pain occurs infrequently or interferes with getting to the clinic. Otherwise, you need to wait for a doctor’s consultation. To temporarily get rid of cramps, you can take the following methods:
- Change body position. Often, when the body is at rest, the pain subsides. It is better to remain in a supine position until the pain subsides.
- Take one tablet of No-shpa, Drotaverine or Spazmolgon. If the pain is not caused by an inflammatory process, it will soon subside.
- After sexual intercourse, it is better to relax and not get up abruptly. This can cause blood to flow back into the pelvic organs, causing pain.
It is recommended to enter into intimacy in a good mood. To avoid discomfort in the future, you need to choose a suitable comfortable position.
Do not take anti-inflammatory drugs on your own, as pain can be caused by physiological causes that go away after rest and do not require special treatment.
Preventing pain
Various experiments with sexual positions can provoke back pain in men and women.
To avoid painful sensations after sexual intercourse, the following preventive measures must be taken into account:
- You should not have sexual intercourse during menstruation. This can cause acute and prolonged nagging pain in the back and suprapubic abdomen.
- You need to choose a suitable pose. If at any moment you feel discomfort, it is better to change your position.
- Avoid excessive vaginal dryness. In such cases, sexual intercourse will be painful. Most likely, after it there will be a sharp or cutting pain in the back.
- For chronic diseases of the back and pelvic organs, sudden movements during sex are not recommended.
- To avoid pain before sex, it is recommended to self-massage your back or take a warm, relaxing shower.
Some positions during sexual intercourse provoke an uneven load on the back. After this, pain in the coccyx and sacral spine is possible.
If you delay sexual relations, the problem will not be solved. In any case, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary. You need to undergo an examination and find out the diagnosis. Perhaps there are no contraindications to sex.
It is worth paying attention to your physiological characteristics. Often, women and men have to choose a more comfortable position for themselves, which does not depend on already established positions. The main thing is that the process itself is comfortable and painless. Therefore, after sex there should be no problems with limited mobility.
