If you’re constipated, you have fewer than three bowel movements per week and the stool is hard or difficult to pass. Constipation can cause pain and bloating in your abdomen, lower back and pelvic region.
Pain during or after sex is called dyspareunia and can be caused by deep penetration, muscle spasms or digestive issues like trapped gas. It may also be a sign of an underlying condition like uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts.
1. Dehydration
Stomach pain after penetrative sex is usually not a cause for concern, but if the symptoms are severe and accompanied by fever, vaginal discharge or bleeding, bloody diarrhea or severe dehydration, it’s best to see a medical professional, says pelvic health physical therapist Rachel Gelman.
Dehydration is the most common cause of stomach pain after sex in both men and women. It’s also one of the most preventable causes, since drinking enough water can help keep the cells in your body hydrated and functioning properly. But many people aren’t getting enough water, especially if they’re drinking caffeinated and sugary drinks, or using soaps, lubricants and personal care products that contain fragrances, dyes and other ingredients that draw moisture out of the skin cells in the vulva.
Dehydration can also make it harder to have sex, because the cells in your vagina are drier and more prone to irritation. This can also lead to yeast infections that can cause painful itching down there, which can really dampen the mood. So before you head out to romp, drink up some water and be sure you’re not using a personal lubricant with chemicals or dyes that may dry out the skin down there. It’s also a good idea to avoid spicy foods, which can irritate the digestive tract. You can also try over-the-counter products that reduce gas and bloating, like simethicone and activated charcoal.
2. Decreased Arousal
There are a few possible reasons why you’re feeling crampy after sex. One possibility is that you have digestive issues that are causing gas and bloating after sexual activity. If this is the case, you need to talk with your doctor about getting your digestive system back on track before engaging in sexual activities.
Another possibility is that you’re feeling crampy because of a lack of sexual arousal. If you’re feeling depressed, tired, or bored, it can be hard to feel sexy, especially during intimate moments with your partner. If you are feeling this way, try talking with your partner about what’s going on and try doing other things to get yourself excited for sex.
A final reason you might be feeling cramps after sex is that you have a bacterial imbalance or overgrowth in your vagina. This can lead to yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, which are both very uncomfortable. If you’re experiencing this, eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt or sauerkraut to help your body get its natural bacteria back on track.
3. Pressure on the Vaginal Rectum
Sometimes constipation after sex can result in pain, especially when it causes pressure on the bladder. One of the most common culprits is interstitial cystitis, a condition that causes painful bladder inflammation. This is a chronic condition that can be triggered by sex, bowel movements, and more. It can also be aggravated by certain foods and medications, including NSAIDs like aspirin.
In rare cases, constipation after sex can be a sign of a rectocele. If this occurs, the rectum becomes enlarged and protrudes into the anal canal, causing a physical mass to be present and painful during penetration. This is a serious condition and should be addressed by a doctor as soon as possible.
A rectocele can be caused by weak pelvic floor muscles, a weakness of the urethral sphincter, or a problem with the ileocecal valve. The pain from a rectocele can be felt during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, and sexual activity.
Stomach pain after sex can be a symptom of a variety of conditions, from severe constipation and a lack of bowel movement to infections like endometriosis or uterine fibroids that need immediate treatment. If you experience cramps after sex, talk to your doctor and consider a number of potential solutions, starting with promoting loose stools. In some cases, a rectocele may need to be surgically removed.
4. Pressure on the Bladder
If you suffer from chronic constipation that doesn’t respond to dietary and lifestyle changes, it could also be making your sex life difficult. Chronic constipation can stretch and weaken the pelvic floor muscles that keep your bowels and bladder in check, leading to tensing during sex and pain afterwards. In severe cases, this can also lead to dyspareunia, a condition that causes painful vaginal intercourse.
Stomach pain after sex is pretty common and it might be caused by something as benign as gas or constipation. But sometimes, the problem is more serious, says Yale New Haven Hospital ob-gyn Mary Jane Minkin. If the pain is accompanied by abdominal cramping, it could be a sign that you have scar tissue connecting organs like your intestines to your uterus, which can be impacted during penetrative sex.
The intestines are extremely close to the bladder, and when they get too full it can cause unwanted leakage of urine. This is because the bowel has to push down against the bladder in order to pass stool. The extra pressure on the bowel can make it more difficult to control your bladder, which can result in stress incontinence or overflow incontinence (where you leak urine involuntarily due to excess fluid). If this is what’s happening to you, you may need medical help from a specialist like an ob-gyn or a pelvic surgeon.
See Also:
