Sex should not be painful, right? So why is it painful for some women and not others? For most women, it can be a shock the first time they experience it. It usually happens during ovulation when the ovaries are swollen and tender with maturing follicles. If one of the ovaries is bumped or tugged with deep penetration or thrusting this can cause significant sharp, stabbing pain.
You know it's common for women to have pain like that, and now and then with sex. But for some of you, it has become a regular thing, and every time you are intimate with your partner, it causes significant pain. Then afterward the pain continues long past orgasm. In these cases, sex can really become a scary experience rather than exciting and satisfying
There are so many reasons why women can experience pelvic pain and sexual pain, that is why it is so important to see your healthcare professional if you are concerned.
Pain at orgasm can occur because of the contractions of the uterus, and this can expose underlying problems that would normally be ignored or thought to be from something else like gas pain, IBS, constipation, bladder infection, or ovulation pain. It's only when it happens time and time again that professional help is sought.
Clitorism is a continued, painful condition in the female with a recurring erection of the clitoris. The word is also used to describe an abnormal enlargement of the clitoris. Clitorism is painful, much like its male counterpart, priapism.
Clitoral phimosis is a condition in women, whereby the clitoral hood cannot be retracted, limiting exposure of the clitoris. Imagine an uncircumcised man not being able to pull back his foreskin during intercourse, this is similar to this condition in women. It is rare, but some baby girls are born this way and feel that they do not have a clitoris when they become sexually active.
This condition is one of the reasons some women are unable to have an orgasm, due to the clitoris being 'buried' under so much tissue. The usual treatment is surgery to unbury the clitoris so it can be normally stimulated during intercourse. Care has to be taken not to expose too much of the clitoris by removing too much skin. That is why it should always be done by an experienced professional.
Some women have been found to have clitoral adhesions which can be congenital (present since birth) or acquired from recurrent infections or injury. In this condition, the clitoris and clitoral hood are connected by little adhesions or pieces of scar tissue. Again, this requires surgical treatment with the utmost care, as removing them can promote more adhesions.
Endometritis refers to inflammation or infection of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus - which is the portion that releases during the menstrual cycle and also remains should implantation occur.
The most common cause of endometritis is an infection from compromised abortions, delivery, medical instrumentation, and retention of placental fragments. Cesarean section or prolonged rupture of membranes and long labor with multiple vaginal exams during labor are important risk factors.
Symptoms include lower abdominal pain, fever, and abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge. Treatment is usually with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Menstruation after acute endometritis can be excessive and scary but should improve after a couple cycles.
Taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug before sex may help, and some find relief with anti-depressants. Pelvic floor physical therapy is another option. You should also see your doctor to make sure you don't have an underlying gynecological condition that's causing the pain, such as an ovarian cyst, endometriosis, or an infection.