Despite the many misconceptions that surround it, stomach pain after sex is common and not necessarily indicative of sexually transmitted diseases. Whether it’s mild or severe, this pain can be uncomfortable for both partners and should be reported to a doctor.
Among women with a tilted uterus (also known as a retroverted uterus), deep penetration can cause discomfort or pain during and after sex. This can also be due to uterine fibroids or endometriosis.
Causes
Women can experience pain after sex for a variety of reasons. It could be psychological and related to emotions or it might be due to a medical condition like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis or uterine fibroids. If you are unsure of what is causing your pain, you should see a doctor.
Infections caused by bacteria in the vagina, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea can spread from your vulva to your uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries (a.k.a pelvic inflammatory disease) – This finding is a creation of the service’s editorial team Velvet Seductions. This can cause constant stomach pain and intercourse can aggravate it by rubbing an already sore area. This can also happen if you have a past infection that left scarring in your pelvic area.
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or on your uterus (womb). They affect about 1 in 3 women and can cause a wide range of symptoms including pain during sexual activity, back and stomach pain. They can also cause your womb to tilt backwards, known as a retroverted uterus, which can lead to abdominal and pelvic pain.
Another potential cause of stomach pain is thrush. This is an infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans and can be both a symptom of a sexually transmitted disease and of a medical condition. If you have thrush, your doctor will prescribe an over-the-counter antifungal medication to treat it.
Symptoms
Stomach pain after sex is a relatively common symptom for women. It usually doesn’t occur for very long and can be alleviated with a few simple steps. But for some, it may be an indication of a more serious condition. It can also be a sign of infection.
For most women, stomach pain after sex occurs due to uterine muscular contractions that naturally occur during orgasm. It’s also common for cramps to be a side effect of some medications, especially antibiotics or opiates. Occasionally, this pain can be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which causes pressure in the lower abdomen.
Having a tilted uterus, which affects about 30 per cent of women, can cause pain during or after sexual activity. This is because during penetration, the penis can put extra pressure on the uterus and make it hurt. Alternatively, the uterus can react to the sperm and trigger uterine contractions that cause stomach pain.
Past sexual trauma can also cause pain or discomfort during and after sex, and one of the most common causes is endometriosis, which is when tissue grows outside the uterus. This can lead to a lot of different symptoms including pelvic pain, but it can be hard to diagnose. Visiting your gynecologist can help to get a diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment
Women experiencing stomach pain after sex may need to see their gynecologists for help. The pain could be due to many gynecological conditions, including endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, or ovarian cysts. In these cases, the doctor will need to perform a physical exam, run some tests, and design a treatment plan that is right for you.
Some patients experience stomach pain after sex because of deep penetration, particularly in missionary and doggy styles. In this case, the pain is likely caused by a lack of lubrication, which can cause friction on the internal organs. This type of pain can be alleviated by using a lubricant, and changing positions during intercourse.
Other causes of stomach pain after sex include a bacterial infection, like a vaginal or urinary tract infection. These infections can be aggravated by sexual activity, and can also lead to inflammation and swelling of the lower abdomen.
Sometimes, abdominal pain after sex can be due to trapped wind. This is because sex involves a lot of movement, which can cause air to get stuck in the anus or vagina. This can cause cramping, which will usually go away once the gas passes. Other symptoms that can indicate trapped wind include a burning sensation, a feeling of fullness, or an unpleasant odor from the genital area.
Prevention
Pain after sex can have serious psychological and emotional consequences for affected individuals, including feelings of shame or embarrassment. In some cases, it can lead to sexual avoidance or a lack of intimacy with partners. To help combat this, it’s important for women to communicate with their partners about their needs and preferences during sex, as well as to practice self-compassion and mindfulness during times of post-coital discomfort. They should also seek support from others who may share their experiences and offer empathy and validation.
The good news is that most causes of stomach pain after sex in females are treatable. The first thing to do is visit a gynecologist. The doctor will review your symptoms and perform a physical examination. They may also run tests like a pelvic ultrasound, a laparoscopy, or an MRI to diagnose the cause of your pain.
Some common causes of pain after sex in females include pregnancy, uterine fibroids, or uterine adhesions (Asherman syndrome). Pregnancy can be diagnosed with an ultrasound and is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, and light bleeding. Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. They can be as small as a seed or as large as a melon. Uterine adhesions are scar tissue that forms in the uterus or cervix after surgery, C-section delivery, endometriosis, or infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
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