What can cause pain during intercourse in women?

Sex should never be painful. If you are having pain during sex, stop. Sex is supposed to be pleasurable, and pain indicates that something is wrong.

In many cases, your partner’s actions can cause pain, such as going too fast or penetrating from an awkward position. Never hesitate to ask your partner to slow down or move to make you more comfortable.

Another common cause of pain during sex is the lack of natural lubrication in the vagina. Antihistamines or other medication may be the cause of this problem. Additionally, natural changes in the vagina during menopause may cause a reduction in natural lubrication. Or, in some cases, more foreplay may be required to produce a sufficient amount of vaginal lubrication. Adding a water-based lubricant to the proceedings may help alleviate this problem.

Failure of the vagina and uterus to respond to sexual arousal can also cause discomfort. The vagina may be too snug for intercourse or the uterus may not be raised so that the penis comes in contact with the cervix during penetration. Use manual penetration to explore the level of arousal before engaging in intercourse.

The muscles near the vaginal opening may also be the cause of some discomfort during intercourse. Various problems can occur depending on the state of these muscles. Vaginismus is a condition in which these muscles are extremely tight and causes intercourse to be painful. One way to determine whether vaginismus is a problem, is for the woman to examine herself with her fingers. If she feels that the vaginal walls are tighter than normal, then it may be vaginismus. Vaginismus is not a permanent condition. It is usually caused by nervousness or anxiety. Make sure that you engage in foreplay before intercourse. This will help you produce a healthy amount of lubrication, and should help you to relax. Try to reduce the pressure to perform. Fortunately, few women have vaginismus so severely that they have to go for treatment. For most women, it is just important to relax.

Any inflammation of the vagina has the potential to cause problems during sexual intercourse. Infections of the vaginal region due to yeast, herpes, etc. can make intercourse uncomfortable. Creams, fabric or perfumes may also cause irritation which makes intercourse painful. It is best to examine the vaginal area or the products that are being used to determine whether they are causing this problem.

Difficulty with intercourse may also be experienced by women for whom it is the first time having sex. Breakage of the hymen and other sensitive tissue can cause discomfort during penetration. The best advice is to take it slow, or begin with forms of penetration other than intercourse.

Some psychological factors may contribute to dyspareunia as well. Those who have been through a sexually traumatic experience or have feelings of guilt associated with sex may find intercourse to be painful. These issues are best resolved by consulting a trained Sex Therapist.

What can cause painful intercourse in men?

Discomfort during intercourse for men can be attributed to a number of causes. One cause could be a result of snugly fitting foreskin. Occasionally during a man’s first attempt at intercourse, tight foreskin will cause retraction to be painful. After a while, the foreskin loosens, and intercourse is more comfortable. Secondly, any lesion on the skin of the penis can make intercourse painful. These lesions may be due to unlubricated masturbation, rapid intercourse or STDs. The blisters caused by herpes can also make intercourse extremely painful. Finally, conditions like Peyronie’s disease which cause a bending of the penis may also make intercourse painful. If you can not determine why intercourse is painful then please consult your physician.