Why Does My Uterus Hurt After Sex? Causes and Relief Tips

It doesn’t matter what is inflicting your ache after intercourse, it should not essentially be thought-about “regular,” Lauren Streicher, MD, an OB/GYN and medical director of group training and outreach at Midi Health, tells Properly+Good.

That mentioned, let’s check out the most typical culprits behind uterus ache after intercourse—from infections to lack of lubrication and extra—and what you’ll be able to to do make intercourse really feel extra…satisfying.

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10 explanation why your uterus hurts after intercourse

Ache after intercourse might be deep, possible stemming out of your uterus (aka your womb), but it surely may also be shallow and stem from organs corresponding to your cervix or vaginal opening. Irrespective of the ache, there may be possible an underlying trigger. Listed here are a few of the high causes to your ache, and the way to deal with every.

1. You’ll have endometriosis

Endometriosis, a dysfunction the place tissue much like the liner of the uterus grows exterior of the uterus, is among the most typical causes of painful intercourse, says Amir Marashi, MD, a New York Metropolis-based OB/GYN and founder and CEO of Cerē. That is very true for those who’re in sexual positions that contain deeper penetration—like doggy style or the place your knees are close to your chest. Other than dyspareunia, the Mayo Clinic says endometriosis could make your durations painful and heavy, trigger painful bowel actions, or trigger infertility points (i.e., hassle getting pregnant).

Find out how to deal with it

In case your signs resemble that of endometriosis, attain out to your healthcare supplier. They’ll prescribe medications—like contraception—to assist handle pelvic ache and heavy durations. In some instances, surgery to take away endometrial lesions could also be required.

2. You might need a tilted uterus

1 in 4 individuals with a uterus has one thing known as a “tilted” or “retroverted” uterus—which implies the organ is positioned backward towards the rectum slightly than ahead towards the abdomen. Whereas there’s nothing harmful or unhealthy a couple of tilted uterus, it could actually make deeper penetrative intercourse positions uncomfortable, says Rebecca Keith, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN with Pediatrix Medical Group in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Find out how to deal with it

You’ll be able to’t change the lean of your uterus, sadly. However switching it up in mattress could make a distinction. If positions like doggy fashion or missionary together with your legs up are uncomfortable, attempt approaching high so you’ll be able to management how deep issues go, Dr. Keith recommends. Different good choices: Lay facet to facet and have your companion enter you from behind, or attempt missionary together with your legs lowered down.

3. It is from an orgasm

Orgasms (i.e., the peak of sexual arousal adopted by small, pleasurable pelvic contractions) are alleged to really feel good, however sure underlying circumstances could make them painful as a substitute. One of the widespread circumstances that trigger painful orgasms is pelvic floor dysfunction, or when tight pelvic flooring muscle mass can cramp and contract throughout orgasm to trigger pelvic ache.

Find out how to deal with it

In the event you’re experiencing painful orgasms, it is perhaps from pelvic flooring points which might be relieved by way of one thing known as pelvic floor therapy. Throughout this kind of bodily remedy, your practitioner will enable you determine which pelvic flooring muscle mass are too tense and present you workouts to stretch and strengthen these muscle mass.

4. You’ll have vaginismus

Vaginismus is a situation the place your vaginal muscle mass tense or spasm involuntarily throughout penetrative intercourse or a gynecologic exam, which might trigger ache. (In some instances, it could actually make it inconceivable to have penetrative intercourse.) The National Library of Medicine says this situation can occur to individuals with a historical past of sexual trauma or abuse, or to individuals who have an irregular response to bodily ache.

Find out how to deal with it

Remedy for vaginismus normally entails a multi-pronged method to make you much less delicate to penetration. Widespread therapies embrace pelvic flooring workouts to loosen up your muscle mass or sex therapy exercises like vaginal dilation (i.e., utilizing a medical-grade instrument to stretch and develop the opening of the vagina).

As a result of vaginismus may stem from a historical past of abuse or different trauma, in search of assist from a psychological well being skilled within the type of discuss remedy might assist ease signs and reframe your narrative round intercourse.

5. It is perhaps interstitial cystitis

Round the clock pelvic ache (together with throughout intercourse) paired with nonstop peeing and urgency (assume 60+ occasions a day) may very well be an indication of interstitial cystitis, a power situation the place bladder irritation messes together with your regular “gotta-pee” indicators. Consequently, you’re feeling like you have to pee just about nonstop. Interstitial cystitis may cause symptoms like vaginal burning, issue peeing, or blood within the urine.

Find out how to deal with it

A mix of remedies will help relieve interstitial cystitis ache. Discovering what triggers a flare-up (i.e., sure meals or drinks, holding in your pee, train, and so on.) and avoiding or limiting these issues will help. Your healthcare supplier may additionally advocate pelvic flooring remedy or medications like antidepressants or antihistamines to cut back irritation and the urge to pee.

6. It is perhaps an an infection

When you’ve got an an infection of any sort “down there” (specifically, yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, a sexually transmitted an infection (STI), and so on.), you are most likely going to have some ache, itching, and burning that will get worse after intercourse. Moreover, infections may cause a thick or smelly vaginal discharge (that is completely different out of your “regular” discharge). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) notes that any distinction in discharge shade, consistency, or odor is value wanting into together with your healthcare supplier.

Remember that some infections may progress and trigger signs like fever, chills, or fatigue.

Find out how to deal with it

Go to your healthcare supplier for those who assume you could have any type of vaginal an infection. In the event you assume you could have an STI, particularly, you can too get examined at your healthcare supplier’s workplace or local health clinic. The ACOG notes most infections must be handled with antibiotics, and the earlier you begin them, the earlier you will get aid.

7. It is from pelvic inflammatory illness

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a situation that always stems from an untreated STI—like gonorrhea or chlamydia—and causes irritation round your cervix, which might make intercourse and urination painful. Different common symptoms to look out for embrace ongoing decrease belly ache, a fever, foul-smelling discharge, or irregular durations, in line with the Office on Women’s Health.

Find out how to deal with it

PID can be an an infection that requires antibiotics to heal. In the event you assume you could have PID, go to your healthcare supplier for STI testing and therapy. Untreated PID can worsen and result in potential long-term complications corresponding to infertility, ectopic pregnancy (when fetal tissue grows exterior the uterus), or power pelvic ache.

8. You’ll have ovarian cysts

Typically, your ovaries (small reproductive organs that retailer eggs) can develop fluid-filled sacs known as cysts. Whereas they’re normally innocent, ovarian cysts may cause signs like one-sided belly ache which comes and goes (together with throughout intercourse), bloating, and a sense of belly strain or fullness. It is uncommon, however in some instances, ovarian cysts can burst and trigger extreme pelvic ache and bleeding which can require medical therapy.

Find out how to deal with it

When you’ve got all of the signs of an ovarian cyst, test in together with your healthcare supplier. Whereas some cysts go away on their very own, others might develop bigger and require surgery to take away them. Moreover, in case you have sudden or extreme pelvic ache, fever, vomiting, weak point, or lightheadedness, search emergency medical consideration. This might imply {that a} cyst has ruptured or burst.

9. It is from uterine fibroids

Fibroids are benign (innocent) growths that kind on the liner of the wall of the uterus. Whereas they’re sometimes identified for inflicting signs like heavy and painful durations or making your stomach really feel oddly full, they will typically trigger decrease again, pelvic, or belly ache throughout intercourse. In some instances, individuals might not even know they’ve fibroids in any respect as a result of they do not have signs.

Find out how to deal with it

Treating uterine fibroids will depend upon how a lot they’re affecting your life. If the fibroids are small and vary from “not noticeable” to “mildly uncomfortable,” your healthcare supplier would possibly recommend taking over-the-counter ache aid treatment (like Ibuprofen) or getting hormonal contraception to alleviate signs. Bigger fibroids that trigger intense ache, nevertheless, might must be surgically removed.

10. You can be ovulating

In some cases, uterus ache after intercourse may very well be from ovulation. For most individuals with a uterus, ovulation (i.e., when an ovary releases an egg) occurs every menstrual cycle—about midway between their durations. This course of can typically trigger one-sided belly ache or cramping, which might be felt for those who’re having intercourse across the identical time. For instance, you would possibly discover a quick twinge or sudden, sharp ache in your pelvic area whereas having intercourse, which matches away after a day or two.

Find out how to deal with it

As a result of ovulation ache is usually innocent and short-term, sure at-home remedies—like a heating pad or OTC ache treatment—can ease discomfort. In case your ovulation ache is interfering together with your high quality of life each menstrual cycle, attain out to your healthcare supplier. They might prescribe sure contraception capsules that cease ovulation, Dr. Streicher says.

Find out how to forestall and deal with uterine ache after intercourse

After all, if something feels uncomfortable or painful throughout intercourse, it is best to cease, says Dr. Keith. Relying on how you’re feeling, you and your companion (or by yourself for those who’re having a solo sesh) can determine when to attempt once more (i.e. while you’re not in ache). Or, you could chorus from intercourse for just a few days till you may get the issue checked out by a healthcare supplier.

From there, treating and stopping uterus ache after intercourse will depend upon the underlying trigger. Listed here are some go-to choices beneficial by the specialists:

• Altering intercourse positions: Once more, typically switching intercourse positions makes an enormous distinction. Skip the deeper penetrative ones (like doggy fashion or ones the place your knees are up by your chest) and go for one thing the place you’ll be able to management how deep your companion goes, such as you on high, Dr. Marashi recommends. Customary missionary or side-lying positions are good, too.
• Warmth: A heating pad or sizzling water bottle draped over your decrease stomach might assist relieve cramping, Dr. Keith says.
• Ache aid meds: OTC choices like Motrin, Aleve, and even Midol may assist with minor cramping or irritation, says Dr. Keith.
• Pelvic flooring remedy: Situations like pelvic flooring dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, and vaginismus typically reply to pelvic stretching and strengthening workouts.
• Medicines: When you’ve got an underlying situation like endometriosis or fibroids, your healthcare supplier would possibly prescribe hormonal meds. They’re going to additionally advocate antibiotics for an an infection.
• Surgical procedure: In some instances, points like endometriosis and fibroids might have surgical therapy if they do not reply to medicines.

When to see a healthcare supplier

A slight twinge of ache from a sure intercourse place is not possible trigger for concern, particularly if the ache goes away while you swap to one thing completely different. However for those who’re experiencing frequent discomfort or ache from intercourse, it is best to let your healthcare supplier know.

“Intercourse shouldn’t be painful,” says Dr. Streicher, and also you should never really feel like it’s a must to “muscle” by way of it. Collectively, you and your healthcare supplier can discuss by way of your signs to determine the underlying concern, and determine on the way to deal with it, so intercourse (whether or not solo or with a companion) can really feel good once more.