Painful sex isn’t normal, but it doesn’t have to be the end of romance. If you’re experiencing pain in your lady parts before your period, it’s worth getting checked out by a doctor to see what’s causing it.
It could be as simple as using more lubricant, experimenting with different sex positions or seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist. But it might be a sign of an underlying condition that needs to be treated.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones are powerful chemicals that act as messengers in your body, sending signals to different organs and tissues. They can have a big impact on how your menstrual cycle works, so it’s important to make sure that they are working properly. If there is too much or too little of a particular hormone, it can cause a number of problems, including sex pain before the period.
For example, a drop in estrogen is often the culprit for painful sex before a period. This is because the vulva is more sensitive when estrogen levels are low and the tissues may feel tighter. If you notice that your sex is painful before your period, try using a lubricant and trying sexual positions that are comfortable for you. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever or apply a numbing ointment to your vulva before and during sex.
If you’re not sure why your sex is painful before your period, ask your doctor for help. They can advise you on lifestyle changes that can lower your stress level and improve hormone balance, which can relieve painful sex before a period. They may also recommend pelvic floor physical therapy to ease your pain and improve tissue flexibility. They can also prescribe a medication to treat an underlying condition that is causing the imbalance, such as a uterine fibroids or endometriosis.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when cells similar to those that line the uterus grow outside the uterus. These cells may then bleed and leak, creating scar tissue that looks and feels like the lining of the pelvis and abdomen. This tissue can grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and other areas of the body. This painful condition can make sex more difficult and cause pain in the vulva, perineum, lower back or bladder.
Endometrial complications such as dyspareunia (pain in the area where the anus and vagina meet) can also lead to pain during sex before a period. This can feel like an aching, throbbing or ripping sensation in the perineum and can occur right before sex, during sex and sometimes even after sex. This can be very distressing for both women and their partners and lead to sexual dissatisfaction and avoidance.
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help manage the pain. It is important to track your symptoms and talk to a doctor, especially if they are having a significant impact on your life. It can help to keep a log or use an app to track your symptoms, including any pelvic pain that happens other than during intercourse. This could help your doctor see patterns and better diagnose you.
Pelvic Floor Disorders
Pelvic floor disorders are a common cause of pain during sex. These problems can be triggered by pregnancy, menstruation or other issues that affect the muscles of the pelvis. They can also be caused by weak muscles, ligaments or other structures in the area. These conditions can include pelvic organ prolapse, bladder control problems and bowel control issues.
A woman who has a pelvic floor disorder may experience painful intercourse as well as incontinence, particularly when she gets her period. Pelvic organ prolapse is the protrusion of the uterus, urethra or bladder through the opening of the vagina. This condition can be caused by weakened pelvic muscles, anal trauma or childbirth.
The pelvic floor muscles are important for the proper functioning of the genitals. Involuntary contraction of these muscles can lead to vaginismus, a condition that causes a person to stop having anal and vaginal sex because of pain. It is often a result of stress and can be aggravated by sexual activity.
The symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction can be different for women and men. In men, pelvic floor spasms can cause erectile dysfunction. In women, it can lead to pain in the vaginal opening and bladder and bowel control issues such as interstitial cystitis (a chronic condition that causes bladder pressure) or irritable bowel syndrome. Treatment for these problems includes dietary and lifestyle changes, medications and pelvic floor physical therapy.
Stress
In some cases, painful sex before a period may be the result of emotional or psychological factors. If you and your partner have poor communication, problems in your relationship or issues with sexual arousal, counseling may help.
Another possible reason for pain during sex before your period is vaginismus, a medical condition where the muscles of the vulva tighten to the point of closing the entrance to the genitals. This can be caused by anxiety, a fear of sex or a history of trauma. It can also occur because of a lack of sexual arousal or by rushing into sex too quickly.
If you’re experiencing painful sex before your period, you should talk to your doctor. Your doctor can check for underlying conditions, prescribe medication and recommend treatment options to alleviate your symptoms.
To help your doctor determine the cause of your pain, be sure to write down when you experience the pain, where it’s strongest and how long it lasts. You should also note any other symptoms you’re having, such as vaginal discharge, heavy bleeding or discomfort with urinating. Taking this information to your doctor can help them find the source of your pelvic pain more quickly. They can also recommend treatments that may help you manage the pain, such as using a water or silicone-based lubricant, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever before and after sexual intercourse and trying sexual positions that don’t trigger pain.
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