Sex - What Can Cause Pain During It?

Severe pain during intercourse causes difficult relationship in both partners. Sometimes a sustained occurrence of pain might be an indication of some serious medical dysfunction. As such, consult a doctor as soon as the pain arises.

Contrary to popular beliefs, sexual pain can occur in both male and female.

In female, the reasons behind the painful sexual intercourse might be:

1. Vaginismus, a condition when the vaginal muscles tighten up mainly due to anxiety or fear and cause significant pain with a tearing sensation.

2. The pain can arise due to vaginal yeast infections or any form of sexually transmitted disease or pelvic inflammatory diseases.

3. A severe injury in the vagina during childbirth or any other accident and psychological stress can also cause severe pain during sex.

4. Sometimes, menopause or uterine problems (formation of fibroids in the uterus) can also cause pain.

5. Cyst formation in the ovary or endometriosis (when the inner tissue lining of the uterus tends to grow outside) can also cause severe pain during intercourse.

Among men:

1. Some men can experience pain during intercourse because of allergy to the fluids of the vagina or the chemical content of certain contraceptives.

2. You can experience pain because of undiagnosed sexually transmitted diseases like herpes or gonorrhea

3. The pain might also occur due to urinary tract infections or side effects from certain medications.

4. Severe pain just a few moments before ejaculation can be a result of inflammation of the prostate glands and should be immediately diagnosed as it might be a signal of prostate cancer.

For treating pain during sex in female, you should opt for the following procedures-

1. If the pain is caused due to vaginal dryness after menopause, you should consider the application of prescribed lubricants or jellies to reduce the pain.

2. If pain occurs due to severe anxiety or stress, sex therapy can help you improve physical intimacy.

3. If there are other symptoms like severe bleeding or irregular periods in addition to the pain, a visit to the physician is recommended.

Quite similarly in men-

1. If pain occurs due to severe anxiety or stress, sex therapy can help you improve physical intimacy.

2. If the pain results from side effects of certain medications, you should try changing your prescribed medication after doctor’s suggestion.

3. In extreme cases, doctors might suggest hormone replacement surgery.