Sex and Pain: Understanding the Common Causes of Discomfort During Intercourse
Sex can be one of the most pleasurable experiences in life, offering physical connection, stress relief, and health benefits. However, for many women, sex can also be a source of pain and stress. In fact, up to 75% of women experience pain during intercourse at some point in their lives. Understanding the common causes of this discomfort can help women find relief and reclaim their sexual pleasure.
Common Causes of Pain During Intercourse:
Vaginal Dryness:
l Cause: Lower estrogen levels, particularly after childbirth, during breastfeeding, and around menopause, can lead to decreased lubrication.
l Solution: Using lubricants, such as the organic YES brand, can alleviate discomfort caused by dryness.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness:
l Cause: Similar to muscle tension in the neck or back, the pelvic floor muscles can also become tight, leading to pain during penetration or difficulty with orgasm.
l Solution: A pelvic health physiotherapist can help release trigger points, educate on muscle relaxation, and improve connection to the pelvic floor through breathing exercises.
Past Trauma or Stressful Birth:
l Cause: Women with a history of sexual trauma or a stressful birth may struggle with painful intercourse due to psychological associations or physical tension.
l Solution: Counseling combined with pelvic health physiotherapy can address both the emotional and physical aspects of pain.
Painful Perineal Scar Tissue:
l Cause: Scar tissue from a vaginal tear or episiotomy can cause discomfort and tightness in the pelvic floor muscles.
l Solution: Treatment may include estrogen or anesthetic creams prescribed by a doctor, along with scar tissue massage and pelvic floor muscle release from a women’s health physio.
Pelvic Floor Tightness Due to Abdominal Tension:
l Cause: Constantly pulling in the tummy or overusing upper abdominal muscles during exercise can lead to a tight pelvic floor, making sex painful.
l Solution: Relaxation techniques and exercises that avoid over-tightening the pelvic floor can help.
Underlying Infection:
l Cause: Infections can cause pain during intercourse.
l Solution: Women experiencing new onset of painful sex should have a swab taken by their GP to rule out infection
Stress:
l Cause: Stress can cause the pelvic floor muscles to tighten, similar to how neck and shoulder muscles tense up under stress.
l Solution: Stress-reduction techniques, including exercise, meditation, and other modalities, can help reduce pelvic floor tension.
-400x400.jpg)
-400x400.jpg)