Is MonaLisa TouchⓇ Right for Me?
The MonaLisa Touch procedure is an effective way to restore lubrication and elasticity to your vaginal tissues. Here’s when to consider it.
Pelvic Pain After Sex: Is It Normal?
Sex should be a pleasurable experience. Yet, many women experience pain in the pelvic region after sex, a condition called dyspareunia. This pain can vary in its intensity, location, and duration. Whether or not your pelvic pain is intense, you may be concerned about the potential underlying cause and what it means for your sexual health.
Post-intercourse pelvic pain is not uncommon as roughly 75% of women will experience it at some point in their lives. The good news? Most underlying causes are identifiable and treatable.
Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Gary Willen, MD, MBA, frequently sees women for pelvic pain here at Tahoe Women’s Care in Carson City, Nevada. He explores every possible avenue to identify the cause so you can enjoy more positive sexual experiences moving forward. While pelvic pain after sex is common, it’s often preventable.
Common causes of pelvic pain after sex
Pelvic pain after sex might occur because of some underlying condition, or it may be circumstantial. In any case, knowing the cause of your post-sex pelvic pain is a vital step in making intimacy more comfortable.
A few of the most common causes of pelvic pain during and after sex are:
- Deep penetration due to penis size or shape
- A tilted uterus
- Vaginal dryness (often related to menopause)
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (often the result of an untreated STD)
- Yeast or bacterial infections
- Genital injuries from childbirth or otherwise
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cysts
- Fibroids
- Birth control method
- Emotional or psychological causes
Sex-related pain can be distressing, especially when you’re not sure whether the cause is serious or needs treatment. Dr. Willen guides you through the process of identifying the cause of your pain and finding a treatment or solution.
Diagnosing the cause of your pelvic pain after sex
Dr. Willen encourages you to share the details of your pelvic pain as an initial step in identifying its cause. Note exactly where the pain occurs, what it feels like, and when you first started experiencing it.
After a complete examination, Dr. Willen may recommend diagnostic tests, including imaging or blood tests, to identify or rule out medical conditions related to pelvic pain.
What comes next
Your next steps depend on your diagnosis or the probable cause of your pelvic pain. If it’s something like a tilted uterus or a large penis size, you might need to consider other sexual positions or activities. Infections like STDs and bacterial vaginosis are often treatable with antibiotics.
Hormonal birth control may be recommended for pain caused by ovarian cysts, while psychological counseling may help with emotional causes of pelvic pain after sex. Rarely, surgery is an option to address the cause of this type of pelvic pain.
To schedule a visit to Tahoe Women’s Care, call our office or request an appointment online today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Do I Need STD Testing If I’m in a Long-Term Relationship?
Regular STD testing is important for your sexual health, but is it really necessary if you’re in a committed partnership? Here’s what you need to know.
Why Are My Menstrual Cramps Getting Worse With Age?
Until recently, your periods weren’t exactly the end of the world in terms of menstrual cramping, and you got on with life. These days, your cramps are more painful than ever — and you want answers.
Tips for Starting the Fertility Awareness Method of Birth Control
Your reasons are your own, but you don’t want to rely on medications or devices to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Instead, you want to learn about fertility awareness. You’ve come to the right place!
5 Tools to Help You Successfully Navigate Menopause
It would be no exaggeration to say that the changes that come with menopause are life-altering. The good news is that we have more tools than ever to help you better navigate life after menopause.
Causes of Vaginal Dryness (and What to Do About It)
While it may not exactly be a topic of conversation around the lunch table, it might surprise you to know that millions of American women struggle with vaginal dryness. We want you to know that there are solutions.