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 of “regular,” Lauren Streicher, MD, an OB/GYN and medical director of group training and outreach at Midi Health, tells Nicely+Good.

That mentioned, let’s check out the commonest 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.

10 the explanation why your uterus hurts after intercourse

Ache after intercourse will be deep, possible stemming out of your uterus (aka your womb), but it surely may also be shallow and stem from organs comparable to your cervix or vaginal opening. Irrespective of the ache, there may be possible an underlying trigger. Listed below are a number 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 just like the liner of the uterus grows outdoors of the uterus, is without doubt one of the commonest 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 if you happen to’re in sexual positions that contain deeper penetration—like doggy style or the place your knees are close to your chest. Aside from dyspareunia, the Mayo Clinic says endometriosis could make your durations painful and heavy, trigger painful bowel actions, or trigger infertility points (i.e., bother getting pregnant).

The way to deal with it

In case your signs resemble that of endometriosis, attain out to your healthcare supplier. They will 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 folks with a uterus has one thing referred to 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 few tilted uterus, it could possibly make deeper penetrative intercourse positions uncomfortable, says Rebecca Keith, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN with Pediatrix Medical Group in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

The way to deal with it

You possibly can’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, strive 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 accomplice enter you from behind, or strive 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 purported to really feel good, however sure underlying circumstances could make them painful as an alternative. Probably the most widespread circumstances that trigger painful orgasms is pelvic floor dysfunction, or when tight pelvic flooring muscular tissues can cramp and contract throughout orgasm to trigger pelvic ache.

The way to deal with it

If you happen to’re experiencing painful orgasms, it is perhaps from pelvic flooring points which will be relieved by means of one thing referred to as pelvic floor therapy. Throughout this sort of bodily remedy, your practitioner will assist you to establish which pelvic flooring muscular tissues are too tense and present you workout routines to stretch and strengthen these muscular tissues.

4. You’ll have vaginismus

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

The way to deal with it

Therapy for vaginismus often includes a multi-pronged strategy to make you much less delicate to penetration. Widespread therapies embrace pelvic flooring workout routines to loosen up your muscular tissues 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 can even 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 could 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+ instances a day) could possibly be an indication of interstitial cystitis, a continual situation the place bladder irritation messes together with your regular “gotta-pee” indicators. Because of this, you’re feeling like that you must pee just about nonstop. Interstitial cystitis can even cause symptoms like vaginal burning, problem peeing, or blood within the urine.

The way to deal with it

A mixture 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 forth.) and avoiding or limiting these issues will help. Your healthcare supplier might also suggest pelvic flooring remedy or medications like antidepressants or antihistamines to scale back irritation and the urge to pee.

6. It is perhaps an an infection

When you’ve got an an infection of any variety “down there” (particularly, yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, a sexually transmitted an infection (STI), and so forth.), you are in all probability going to have some ache, itching, and burning that will get worse after intercourse. Moreover, infections could 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 price wanting into together with your healthcare supplier.

Remember the fact that some infections can even progress and trigger signs like fever, chills, or fatigue.

The way to deal with it

Go to your healthcare supplier if you happen to assume you might have any form of vaginal an infection. If you happen to assume you might have an STI, particularly, you too can get examined at your healthcare supplier’s workplace or local health clinic. The ACOG notes most infections have to be handled with antibiotics, and the earlier you begin them, the earlier you will get reduction.

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 stomach ache, a fever, foul-smelling discharge, or irregular durations, in accordance with the Office on Women’s Health.

The way to deal with it

PID can be an an infection that requires antibiotics to heal. If you happen to assume you might have PID, go to your healthcare supplier for STI testing and therapy. Untreated PID can worsen and result in potential long-term complications comparable to infertility, ectopic pregnancy (when fetal tissue grows outdoors the uterus), or continual pelvic ache.

8. You’ll have ovarian cysts

Typically, your ovaries (small reproductive organs that retailer eggs) can develop fluid-filled sacs referred to as cysts. Whereas they’re often innocent, ovarian cysts could cause signs like one-sided stomach ache which comes and goes (together with throughout intercourse), bloating, and a sense of stomach 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.

The way 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 could develop bigger and require surgery to take away them. Moreover, when you’ve got sudden or extreme pelvic ache, fever, vomiting, weak spot, 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 type on the liner of the wall of the uterus. Whereas they’re sometimes recognized for inflicting signs like heavy and painful durations or making your stomach really feel oddly full, they’ll typically trigger decrease again, pelvic, or stomach ache throughout intercourse. In some instances, folks could not even know they’ve fibroids in any respect as a result of they do not have signs.

The way to deal with it

Treating uterine fibroids will rely 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 may recommend taking over-the-counter ache reduction medicine (like Ibuprofen) or getting hormonal contraception to alleviate signs. Bigger fibroids that trigger intense ache, nevertheless, could have to be surgically removed.

10. You could possibly be ovulating

In some cases, uterus ache after intercourse could possibly 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 stomach ache or cramping, which will be felt if you happen to’re having intercourse across the identical time. For instance, you may discover a short twinge or sudden, sharp ache in your pelvic area whereas having intercourse, which works away after a day or two.

The way to deal with it

As a result of ovulation ache is often innocent and short-term, sure at-home remedies—like a heating pad or OTC ache medicine—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 could prescribe sure contraception capsules that cease ovulation, Dr. Streicher says.

The way 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 accomplice (or by yourself if you happen to’re having a solo sesh) can resolve when to strive once more (i.e. whenever you’re now not in ache). Or, you might chorus from intercourse for a couple of days till you may get the issue checked out by a healthcare supplier.

From there, treating and stopping uterus ache after intercourse will rely upon the underlying trigger. Listed below are some go-to choices advisable by the consultants:

• 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 accomplice goes, such as you on high, Dr. Marashi recommends. Normal missionary or side-lying positions are good, too.
• Warmth: A heating pad or scorching water bottle draped over your decrease stomach could assist relieve cramping, Dr. Keith says.
• Ache reduction meds: OTC choices like Motrin, Aleve, and even Midol can even assist with minor cramping or irritation, says Dr. Keith.
• Pelvic flooring remedy: Situations like pelvic flooring dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, and vaginismus usually reply to pelvic stretching and strengthening workout routines.
• Drugs: When you’ve got an underlying situation like endometriosis or fibroids, your healthcare supplier may prescribe hormonal meds. They’re going to additionally suggest 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 whenever you change to one thing completely different. However if you happen to’re experiencing frequent discomfort or ache from intercourse, you must let your healthcare supplier know.

“Intercourse shouldn’t be painful,” says Dr. Streicher, and also you should not really feel like it’s important to “muscle” by means of it. Collectively, you and your healthcare supplier can discuss by means of your signs to determine the underlying challenge, and resolve on the way to deal with it, so intercourse (whether or not solo or with a accomplice) can really feel good once more.