Are you experiencing soreness after sex? If you are then you will likely be on the search for the reason why this is happening to you.
We are here to tell you that there could be a whole slew of reasons that you are feeling sore after sex.
In this article we are going to go over what some of these reasons are and what you can do about it. So, let’s dive right in and get started!
Is Pain After Sex Normal?
It most certainly is not normal to feel pain after sex. There are a wide variety of reasons why you might be feeling pain after sex.
When you experience soreness it is important that you take note of what your symptoms are, and where you are feeling your pain or discomfort.
This way you will be able to find out what is causing you to feel pain far easier.
Officially, in medical terms, when someone experiences painful sex it is referred to as dyspareunia. But it is only known by this term if the issue persists and you are experiencing pain both before and after sexual intercourse.
If you are actually experiencing pain in your vagina, pelvis, or back after sex it is likely not something that you should ignore.
Regardless of whether your pain is general soreness, stinging pain, sharp pain, constant pressure or just discomfort, it is your body telling you that there is something wrong that you should not ignore.
If you have only recently started experiencing pain during sex, do not be too shy to talk to your doctor. They are trained in this field and will know just what to do to help you out.
What Kinds Of Pain Can You Experience After Sex?
Before we can talk about the different kinds of pain that you can experience after sex, it is important that you understand the anatomy of the vagina.
Firstly, the vagina is only in reference to the inside of the genitals. The vulva is what you call the external area of the genitals.
This includes the inner labia, outer labia, clitoris, vestibule of the vagina, and the urethra.
Now that you have an idea of the anatomy of female genitalia, we can talk about what kinds of painful sex you may experience.
The first thing we need to note is that you can experience pain in several areas including the following: Vagina, Vulva, Pelvic Area, and Lower Back.
The area you are feeling pain in can be an indicator as to what is causing the issue and what your treatment might look like.
Below are a few classifications of painful sex which may be causing you to experience vaginal pain after intercourse:
- Superficial – This kind of pain will be felt around the vulva or vaginal entrance.
- Deep – If you are experiencing deep pain you will likely feel it inside the vagina or in the lower pelvis. This is likely the result of deep penetration.
- Primary Dyspareunia – This kind of pain will be experienced during sex but right at the beginning of the act.
- Secondary Dyspareunia – This kind of pain will often be felt a little while after you have experienced pain-free sex.
If you have been surfing the web you will likely have heard of the term ‘Vulvodynia’ which is a word which is frequently related to painful sex.
The main thing to remember about vulvodynia is that it refers to someone that feels vulval pain regardless of having engaged in sexual intercourse. It often does not have any known cause.
Why Does Your Vagina Hurt After Sex?
There are a few reasons why someone might experience vaginal soreness after sex. In this section we are going to take a look at some of the more common reasons why this might be happening to you.
You Have Not Used Enough Lubrication
Experience pain during sex could be because you are not fully aroused. When this happens you may not have enough lubrication which can lead to you experiencing pain when you engage in intercourse.
This issue can be quickly fixed as you can purchase lube to make the process better for you. Alternatively with a little additional foreplay things could be much more pleasurable for you.
By using lube you can reduce the friction which is likely the reason you are experiencing pain during or after sex. So, always make sure that there is enough lubrication before you get down to business.
You Have Engaged In Vigorous Sex
If you have been having passionate or vigorous sex this is a likely reason that you are experiencing pain. This is because there could have been a lot of pressure, friction and friction for a prolonged amount of time.
But penile sexual penetration is not the only reason that you might be experiencing pain. If you have used toys vigorously you will also need to take care that you use a lot of lube as you can easily experience sureness from a sex toy.
You Are Experiencing Psychosexual Causes
Your mental state can actually affect whether you feel pain during intercourse or not. Vaginismus is one such condition which can cause vaginal pain during sex.
If you have this condition your vaginal muscles will tighten which can cause you to experience pain during penetration.
You may experience vaginismus if you are stressed by sexual arousal contact. This may be a result of past traumatic sexual experiences.
You Have An Underlying Skin Condition
If you have a skin condition you may find that you experience pain during or after sex. This could be because of an irritant, or allergic contact dermatitis.
In some people certain chemicals can cause your immune system to respond. This can make you itchy and red during or after sex.
One reason that common skin condition that can cause pain is something known as Lichen Sclerosis. With this condition you can experience a burning sensation on the vulva which in turn can cause you to experience pain post sex.
On the other hand, you could have a sperm allergy. Yes it is a real thing and this kind of allergy can cause you to experience burning and redness in the vaginal area.
This discomfort will usually last between ten and thirty minutes. Sadly it can be triggered at any point during intercourse and with any partner.
You Have An Underlying Medical Condition
There are some medical conditions which can cause you to experience pelvic or vaginal soreness. Below are two common medical reasons for pain as a result of sex:
- Endometriosis – This condition occurs when a tissue which is similar to the lining of the womb begins growing in other areas of the body.
This can cause quite bad pain up to forty-eight hours after sex. When this tissue grows in the pelvis which causes the uterus and vagina to be stretched and pulled during sexual intercourse and this is what causes you to experience pain.
- Ovarian Cysts – Ovarian cyst are basically fluid sacs which are inside the ovaries. Usually there are no symptoms which can make them quite harmless. But, this is not always the case.
In some cases these cysts can rupture which can cause people to experience extreme pain. When this happens medical attention will more than likely be needed.
When you experience pain with ovarian cysts it is mostly on the side of the body with the infected ovary.
There are other medical conditions which can cause pain during or after sex. So, if you are experiencing pain make sure to visit your doctor to find out exactly what is going on.
You Have An Underlying Infection
Another reason why you might be experiencing soreness after sex is an infection of some kind. There are three common infections which can cause pain or discomfort after sex. We have listed them below for you to peruse:
- STIs – If you have an STI like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or herpes you can experience pain after sex. All of these STIs can cause you to feel stinging, and painful sensations after sex.
It is essential that you always make sure that you are tested as these illnesses do not cause just pain, they are also contagious.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – Otherwise known as PID this is a form of infection which can lead to sufferers experiencing a deep pain.
This is because of the inflammation of the pelvic organs. One of the most common reasons for PID to develop is untreated STIs.
- Thrush – This kind of infection is essentially a fungal infection which can cause you to be experiencing vaginal soreness. It is a common ailment so do not feel bad if you have had it.
On top of feeling soreness you can also experience discharge which has a cottage cheese like consistency and itching.
You Are On Medication
If you are on certain medication you may find that you will experience pain during sex. For example if you are on contraception you may experience vaginal dryness which can cause you to feel pain after sex.
If you are taking the mini pill and other types of progesterone contraception it is likely that you experience vaginal dryness.
This is not always the case. One common reason why this happens is because these pills do not contain estrogen.
This hormone is what makes blood flow to your vagina and pelvic area. When your private area is flooded with blood and you become aroused you will inevitably get wet.
So, without enough estrogen your body does not do this and you experience vaginal dryness.
Another medication which can cause you to experience vaginal pain is antidepressants. There have been a few studies which have indicated that taking this medication can lead to vulva pain and vaginal dryness.
When Should You Go See Your Doctor?
You should NOT be experiencing pain during or after sex. So, if you are feeling sore during or after sex you should go and see your doctor. You do not need to endure the pain and discomfort alone.
If the pain you are feeling is superficial it is more than likely that you will need to be physically examined. Depending on what the doctor finds it may be that your treatment will include antibiotics.
If your pain is a result of skin irritation, you may be prescribed steroid creams which should help relieve the pain and irritation.
For psychological issues causing you to feel pain, it may take a while to get to a place where it does not hurt. But with the right therapy you will certainly get there.
If you are experiencing pelvic pain or a deep vaginal pain, you may be referred to a gynecologist who will examine you. This may happen as a physical exam or an ultrasound which can help to detect any issues that you are experiencing.
At the end of the day, it is essential for you to seek help if you are experiencing soreness during or after sex. Do not suffer in silence. Pain is not normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section we are going to answer some of your most frequently asked questions about soreness after sex and what you can do about it.
How Do You Get Rid of Burning After Sex?
If you are experiencing burning after sex, there are a few things that you can do to prevent this issue from occurring. The first thing you can do is make sure that you are using enough lubrication before engaging in sexual intercourse.
Alternatively you could try not engaging in penetrative sex, take pain relievers, or apply an ice pack to the genital area.
But we recommend that you actually see your doctor if you are experiencing pain like this as they will likely be able to deduce exactly what is causing you to feel burning after sex.
What Shouldn’t You Do After Sex?
There are six main things that you need to make sure to do after you have engaged in sexual relations. We have listed them below for you:
- Avoid wearing tight clothes after sex.
- Do not use an intimate wash on your vagina.
- Do not use intimate wipes on your vagina.
- Always make sure to clean used sex toys.
- Always wash your hands after sexual intercourse.
- Avoid a hot bubble bath.
Hygiene and care after sex is important for you to avoid getting an infection or causing you discomfort in the future. As long as you stick to these rules you should be alright.
Can You Have Too Much Sex?
Yes you can. If you have too much sex you may experience exhaustion, and fatigue over the long term.
When this happens you may find that you will experience a whole host of other issues such as: Cardiovascular System Issues, Kidney Function, Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation, Orchitis, Prostatitis, and Many Other Diseases.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully you have enjoyed reading this article and learning about what could be causing you to feel pain after sex. At the end of the day it is essential for you to make sure that you stay healthy and pain free.
Sex is not supposed to be painful which means that if you are feeling sore after sex there is likely some underlying issue that you have not pinpointed just yet.
That being said, just because you are sore down there, does not mean that there is something horribly wrong with you. But it is best to see your doctor if the issue persists.
You never know what might be causing you to feel discomfort.
With all of that said, if you have enjoyed reading this article and feel that you have learned something here make sure to check out our website when you get the chance.
We have a ton of amazing articles that you are sure to find interesting and insightful.
Thanks for reading!
