“If the ache happens simply as soon as and doesn’t recur, it is probably not a trigger for concern. Generally, it might be as a result of tough intercourse, a companion of a special dimension, an upset abdomen, and even injuries related to sex, says Amir Marashi, MD, a New York Metropolis-based OB/GYN and founder and CEO of Cerē. However different instances, it would imply you may have an underlying gynecologic or GI concern that must be addressed.
Listed below are ten potential the explanation why you may have abdomen ache after intercourse when you have a vagina, when to see your physician about it, and learn how to stop it from coming again.
10 causes for abdomen ache after intercourse when you have a vagina
There are numerous the explanation why somebody may really feel abdomen ache after intercourse in the event that they feminine reproductive organs, like a vagina. This could vary from gynecologic points to GI points and may additionally rely upon the placement of the ache.
1. Endometriosis
Endometriosis—a dysfunction the place tissue just like the liner of the uterus grows outdoors of the uterus—is among the most typical causes of painful intercourse, based on Dr. Marashi. That is very true “if the ache happens throughout deep penetration positions just like the knee-chest or “doggy type positions,”” he provides.
The situation may trigger very painful or heavy intervals, painful bowel actions, and bother getting pregnant, per the Mayo Clinic. Generally, endometriosis can come with gut health points that make it tough to tell apart between uterus cramps after intercourse or a GI situation.
Easy methods to deal with it
See your physician in case you suppose you might have endometriosis. Hormonal medicines like contraception drugs can typically assist handle your endometriosis pain and heavy intervals. In some circumstances, surgical procedure may additionally be wanted, the Mayo Clinic notes.
2. Vaginal dryness
Dry vaginal tissue, which regularly hits throughout perimenopause or menopause as estrogen ranges decline, could cause irritation that makes intercourse uncomfortable or painful. You may also get itching, burning, and even recognizing throughout or after intercourse, too, per Mount Sinai.
Easy methods to deal with it
Many individuals discover reduction by utilizing a vaginal lubricant (utilized earlier than intercourse) and a vaginal moisturizer (utilized every day, like a facial moisturizer), which hydrates dry tissues to make intercourse extra snug, Dr. Marashi says. Topical estrogen (utilized as a cream, ring, or pill) may assist ease extra extreme signs, per Mount Sinai.
3. Vaginismus
When you may have vaginismus, your vaginal muscle groups could involuntary tense or spasm throughout penetrative intercourse or gynecologic exams, which may trigger ache. (In some circumstances, it might make it inconceivable to have penetrative intercourse.) It typically occurs in folks with a historical past of sexual trauma or abuse, or in individuals who have an irregular response to bodily ache, based on the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Easy methods to deal with it
Treating vaginismus entails therapies that make you much less delicate to penetration. That would embrace pelvic flooring workout routines, bodily remedy, counseling, and intercourse remedy workout routines like vaginal dilation, per the NLM.
4. Uterine fibroids
Fibroids—benign growths that kind on the liner of the wall of the uterus—are recognized for inflicting heavy or painful intervals and a sense of fullness in your decrease stomach. However they will additionally trigger decrease again ache, pelvic, or belly ache throughout intercourse, per the Office on Women’s Health.
Easy methods to deal with it
Fibroid therapy will depend on how large the fibroid is and the signs it is inflicting. Small fibroids that trigger discomfort can generally be managed with hormonal medicines like contraception drugs or gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists. Bigger ones could must be eliminated surgically, based on the Workplace on Ladies’s Well being.
5. Ovarian cysts
Cysts, or fluid-filled sacs, that kind in your ovaries are normally innocent. However they will trigger intermittent belly ache (together with throughout intercourse) that is targeting one aspect, bloating, and a sense of strain or fullness in your stomach, per the Mayo Clinic. In uncommon situations, a cyst can burst and trigger extreme ache and pelvic bleeding.
It is also potential to have a number of cysts on every ovary, a situation referred to as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This situation typically comes with different signs like weight achieve, further physique or facial hair, or irregular intervals, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Easy methods to deal with it
Some cysts will clear up on their very own; others might be shrunk with hormonal medicines or eliminated with surgical procedure. You need to search emergency medical consideration when you have sudden or extreme pelvic ache, ache with fever or vomiting, or weak point or lightheadedness, per the Mayo Clinic. These might be indicators the cyst has ruptured or burst.
6. Infections
Vaginal infections like yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can all trigger pelvic ache or discomfort, together with throughout intercourse. The infections are normally accompanied by a change in your standard vaginal discharge—suppose a special quantity or consistency, coloration, or odor, per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Easy methods to deal with it
Vaginal infections normally require medicine, so let your physician know in case you suppose you may have one. Relying on the an infection, they could prescribe an antibiotic like metronidazole or clindamycin, ACOG says. If you happen to get repeat yeast infections, your gynecologist may advocate managing them with an over-the-counter (OTC) med like miconazole. However do not self-treat your yeast an infection with out your physician’s okay.
7. Pelvic flooring dysfunction
Pelvic flooring dysfunction, the place your pelvic flooring muscle groups aren’t capable of chill out and coordinate actions like peeing and pooping, could cause ache in your pelvis, rectum, or decrease again. The ache might be ongoing (together with throughout intercourse) or be extra noticeable if you’re making an attempt to poop, per the NLM. You may also should pressure to pee or poop or cope with incontinence.
Easy methods to deal with it
Pelvic flooring dysfunction is normally relieved with pelvic flooring remedy. Your therapist might help you determine the place you are tensing your muscle groups and present you workout routines to stretch and coordinate them. They could even advocate post-sex stretching to assist chill out your pelvic flooring.
8. Pelvic inflammatory illness
Pelvic inflammatory illness (PID), which regularly stems from an untreated STI like gonorrhea or chlamydia, “causes irritation across the cervix, resulting in ache throughout intercourse,” or whereas urinating, Dr. Marashi says. You may also have ongoing decrease belly ache, a fever, foul-smelling discharge, or irregular intervals, based on the Office on Women’s Health.
Easy methods to deal with it
Antibiotics are wanted to clear up PID. So in case you’re having potential signs, let your physician know. The an infection can worsen in case you ignore it and may probably lead problems like infertility, ectopic being pregnant, or power pelvic ache, per the Workplace on Ladies’s Well being.
9. Vulvodynia
If you happen to’re affected by recurring sharp or uncooked ache, irritation, or burning round your vulva (the outer a part of your genitals), with no clear trigger, you might have vulvodynia. This situation sometimes lasts about three months and has no clear trigger. Many individuals with vulvodynia discover it tough to have intercourse as a result of it hurts an excessive amount of, based on the Mayo Clinic. And in the event that they do have intercourse, it might make the ache worse.
Easy methods to deal with it
A multi-pronged method normally works finest. Your physician may advocate ache medicines (like antidepressants, native anesthetics, or nerve blocks), pelvic flooring remedy, cognitive behavioral remedy, or intercourse remedy, relying in your signs and therapy targets, the Mayo Clinic notes.
10. GI points
When you have any abdomen or GI points occurring, penetrative intercourse can undoubtedly make it really feel worse. “Points associated to the gastrointestinal system, reminiscent of constipation, diarrhea, or bloating, can all contribute to belly ache throughout or after intercourse,” Dr. Marashi says. These may all be signs of GI circumstances like IBS, inflammatory bowel illness (IBD), or meals intolerances.
Easy methods to deal with it
The repair will depend on what’s inflicting your signs. You possibly can normally ease constipation and bloating (which may include constipation) by drinking more water, eating more fiber, and getting extra motion, per the Mayo Clinic. However in case you’re coping with diarrhea? Stick to a bland diet and drink loads of water till your signs ease up. In case your signs aren’t resolved after just a few days, otherwise you’re in ache, attain out to your physician to rule out any underlying GI circumstances.
Easy methods to do away with abdomen ache after intercourse
Relieving belly ache after intercourse will rely upon addressing the underlying trigger, Dr. Marashi says. Within the meantime, listed here are some steps to assist soothe any discomfort:
- Apply warmth. A heat compress, heating pad, or scorching water bottle draped over your decrease stomach might help ease abdomen cramps after intercourse by lowering muscle spasms, notes Johns Hopkins Medicine.
- Strive an OTC ache reliever. Choices like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen can all provide you with fast reduction when you have decrease belly ache after being sexually energetic.
- Prescription medicines. Antibiotics might help clear up infections, whereas contraception drugs and different hormone-based therapies is likely to be wanted for issues like endometriosis, fibroids, or cysts. You and your physician can discuss your choices and determine on a repair.
Stopping abdomen ache after intercourse
Once more, stopping cramps after intercourse will rely upon pinpointing and treating the underlying trigger, Dr. Marashi says. Relying on the issue, your choices may embrace the next:
- Change positions. Switching it up could make a giant distinction for sure circumstances. “For example, endometriosis sufferers could really feel ache when the penis reaches very deep and hits the world of uterosacral nerve behind the uterus. In such circumstances, switching to positions like side-lying or missionary might help cut back discomfort,” Dr. Marashi explains. Getting on prime may assist, too, as a result of it provides you extra management over the depth of penetration, he provides.
- Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants to hydrate dry vaginal tissue and cut back painful friction.
- Pelvic flooring remedy to stretch and strengthen your pelvic muscle groups. Your therapist may even advocate using a vibrator at dwelling. “Vibration will increase blood stream to the pelvic flooring muscle groups and the clitoris, which might help rehabilitate the muscle groups over time,” Dr. Marashi explains. This will likely cut back your possibilities of being sore after intercourse.
When to see the physician
There are a selection of various the explanation why your abdomen would damage after intercourse. Let your physician know in case your ache retains coming again—whether or not it occurs throughout intercourse or not. The identical goes for ache that is steady, extreme, or accompanied by different signs like interval adjustments or uncommon vaginal discharge, says Dr. Marashi. “Persistent or repetitive ache can point out an underlying concern that must be addressed,” he provides.
FAQ
Does abdomen ache after intercourse imply you’re pregnant?
Abdomen ache after intercourse would not essentially imply your pregnant. Most frequently, the reason for this ache is from one thing innocent like constipation or bloating, or it might be a power situation like endometriosis or fibroids. One of the simplest ways to determine what you are coping with? See your physician, particularly if the ache is dangerous or if it retains coming again, Dr. Marashi recommends. And if there’s an opportunity you might be pregnant, taking an at-home being pregnant take a look at is all the time a superb step.
Why do I really feel sick after intercourse?
Deep pelvic or belly ache that occurs when you may have intercourse can generally provide you with a sick-to-your-stomach feeling. However the ache can have a ton of various potential causes. If you happen to’re undecided what you are coping with, it is best to get checked out by a physician.
Can deep intercourse damage your abdomen?
Sure. You are extra vulnerable to it when you have a situation like endometriosis, Dr. Marashi says. However generally tough intercourse or deep positions could cause one-off ache, he provides. If it hurts or would not really feel proper, cease and take a look at one thing totally different subsequent time!