Sex cannot be all sunshine and rainbows for everyone, as people also experience dyspareunia or painful sex. However, people are still confused about why they experience pain during sex. We have found 5 reasons that could be behind painful intercourse.
- Urinary tract infections could make intercourse painful
Urinary tract infections are a very common condition that affects a lot of women. However, it must be noted that this condition often affects women who do not engage in a very high degree of hygiene maintenance.
That sounds like a mouthful, but female hygiene is a complicated matter for a lot of women! This is because many women do not get proper education on how best to take care of their private parts.
At any rate, because of our society’s failure to teach girls how to take care of their feminine hygiene, many women experience UTIs and this has a great impact on their sex life.
UTIs aren’t necessary caused by lack of hygiene, but also improper diets and dressing.
These could cause eczema or other skin issues in the vagina, which could make sex painful, according to an article titled, “Painful intercourse (dyspareunia),” which is on the Mayo Clinic website publication.
UTIs are generally mild infections, so they are not life-threatening. However, when they get quite severe, they could make sex uncomfortable and even painful.
UTIs are often easily taken care of with over-the-counter medication that doesn’t require a prescription.
- Childbirth and breastfeeding could disrupt hormones
If you are a woman who has recently given birth and your sex becomes painful, do not worry yet. A lot of women experience this kind of pain straight after childbirth.
After giving birth, healing varies in different women, although there is no set duration for the resumption of intercourse.
Gynecologists usually give two months if the delivery isn’t complicated. Still, resuming intimacy after delivery is painful, with stretched vaginal muscles still sore.
According to an article on the Healthline website, hormones may not have recalibrated well and breastfeeding could also distort your libido,
This may especially be the case if you are breastfeeding as well. It’s not a big deal, really. The thing is, your body’s natural hormone production becomes out of whack after you have just given birth.
Breastfeeding can also cause the same thing. Right after you give birth to a new human being, your natural levels of oestrogen and progesterone drop significantly.
This could usually cause mood swings and a general disinterest in sex. Due to this low level of sex hormones, your libido or sex drive will also take a hit.
That’s why sex could be painful because your vagina is not producing enough lubrication. This is temporary though, so let it run its course.
- Your antidepressants could be lowering your libido
People who are taking antidepressants often suffer from low libido. This is true for both women and men. The reason is the medication itself as antidepressants usually regulate the part of your brain that is easily excited.
With that, people who are heavy on their antidepressants may experience bouts of unresponsiveness when sexually teased.
As such, because arousal is lacking, your vagina does not produce enough lubrication and then penile penetration becomes painful.
Not to worry though, this can be easily readministered as long as you make a consultation with your doctor.
If you have this kind of concern, your doctor will advise you to reduce your dosage or change your medication altogether. You are not advised to simply stop taking your medication though, as doing so may have heavier negative implications.
On top of changing your medication, you could also try using lube to help smoothen things out.
- Menopause could cause vaginal dryness
Another possible reason that your sex has become painful is menopause. This one is kind of expected as a lot of women, even before their own menopause, have heard about this possible issue.
With that said, if you are a woman who is already experiencing perimenopause (that is the years leading to menopause) you could be having hormone swings. Perimenopause happens some 8 to 10 years prior to menopause.
Perimenopause itself could cause severe hormonal imbalances, but when you finally enter menopause (starting from the last time you bleed) then your sex hormones could drop heavily.
When you hit menopause proper, your body severely limits the secretion of estrogen. Yet this hormone is key in inducing vaginal moisture.
When this happens, the vaginal wall dries and withers. The surrounding areas are inflamed as a result, according to an article on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website.
This could then cause extreme vaginal dryness no matter how sexually stimulated you are. The use of lubrication is usually advised as a temporary solution.
If your vaginal dryness doesn’t improve, you need to get professional advice. Hormone replacement therapy may be suggested depending on how well you may benefit from it.
- A lack of arousal could make penile penetration painful
On a milder note, the reason you are experiencing pain during sex may simply be a lack of arousal. This doesn’t indicate any illness. You’re just not wet enough because your partner hasn’t aroused you long enough.
A lot of women do not seem to know that it takes longer for them to get wet than their male counterparts.
So, if you don’t know this and can’t communicate it with your partner, they may not know that you need more time with foreplay.
The problem is, that a lot of men don’t know this either, so you need to be the one who guides your partner during foreplay. Tell them that you need at least 15 minutes of foreplay until you feel fully ready to receive their penis.
Of course, if you want to use lubrication, that’s always welcome. When choosing a lube, try to go with a water-based one as this type is more user-friendly.
To summarize the main points, dyspareunia is not common, but several people have reported pain during intercourse which can have multiple reasons. We hope the reasons we provided can help you identify why sex is painful for you.
Why Does Sex Hurt The Deeper It Goes?
Sex is often portrayed as a pleasurable and enjoyable experience, but for many individuals, it can be a source of pain and discomfort. This is especially true for those who experience pain during deep penetration. While there can be various reasons for this, including medical conditions and psychological factors, the most common reason is the anatomy and physiology of the human body.
To understand why sex can hurt the deeper it goes, it is essential to understand the basic anatomy of the female reproductive system. The vagina, also known as the birth canal, is a muscular tube that connects the cervix (opening of the uterus) to the outside of the body. It is lined with sensitive tissue and has the ability to expand and contract. During arousal, the vagina produces a lubricating fluid to allow for smoother penetration. The deeper end of the vagina is where the cervix is located, and it is the narrowest and most sensitive part of the vagina.
One of the primary reasons why sex can hurt the deeper it goes is due to the lack of lubrication. The vagina is a self-lubricating organ, but sometimes it may not produce enough lubrication, causing friction during penetration. This can be due to various reasons such as hormonal changes, medications, stress, or insufficient foreplay. Without proper lubrication, the friction caused by thrusting can lead to pain and discomfort, especially during deep penetration.
Another factor that contributes to pain during deep penetration is the angle and size of the penis. The vagina is designed to accommodate and stretch to fit a wide range of sizes, but sometimes the angle or size of the penis may not be compatible with the vagina. This can lead to pain and discomfort, especially during deep penetration, where the penis may come in contact with the cervix. The cervix is highly sensitive, and any contact with it can cause sharp pain.
Furthermore, certain medical conditions can also contribute to pain during deep penetration. For instance, endometriosis, a condition where the tissue lining the uterus grows outside of it, can cause pain during sex, especially deep penetration. Similarly, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts can also cause discomfort during sex. These conditions can create a blockage or inflammation, making deep penetration painful.
Besides the physical factors, psychological factors can also play a role in experiencing pain during deep penetration. Anxiety, fear, and past traumatic experiences can all contribute to a person’s perception of pain during sex. If an individual is anxious or fearful, their muscles may tense up, making it difficult for the vagina to expand and accommodate the penis. This can lead to pain and discomfort during deep penetration.
In addition to the physical and psychological factors, the sexual positions chosen can also impact the level of pain experienced during deep penetration. Certain positions, such as doggy style or missionary with the legs raised, can allow for deeper penetration, which can cause pain. On the other hand, positions like spooning or woman on top give more control to the receiver, allowing them to adjust the depth of penetration, reducing the chances of pain.
To prevent pain during deep penetration, communication and understanding between partners are crucial. It is vital to communicate openly and honestly with your partner about any discomfort or pain you may experience. This will help your partner to understand and adjust accordingly, ensuring a more pleasurable experience for both individuals. Additionally, engaging in longer foreplay, using lubricants, and trying different sexual positions can also help alleviate pain during deep penetration.
In conclusion, sex can hurt the deeper it goes due to various factors, including lack of lubrication, incompatible anatomy, medical conditions, psychological factors, and sexual positions. It is essential to communicate with your partner, address any underlying medical conditions, and try different techniques to ensure a pleasurable and pain-free sexual experience. If the pain persists, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment.
