Why Does My Uterus Harm After Intercourse? Causes and Reduction Suggestions

It doesn’t matter what is inflicting your ache after intercourse, it should not essentially be thought-about “regular,” Lauren Streicher, MD, an OB/GYN and medical director of neighborhood schooling and outreach at Midi Well being, tells Nicely+Good.

That mentioned, let’s check out the most typical culprits behind uterus ache after intercourse—from infections to lack of lubrication and extra—and what you possibly can to do make intercourse really feel extra…satisfying.

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10 the explanation why your uterus hurts after intercourse

Ache after intercourse could be deep, seemingly stemming out of your uterus (aka your womb), but it surely may also be shallow and stem from organs reminiscent of your cervix or vaginal opening. Irrespective of the ache, there’s seemingly an underlying trigger. Listed here are a number of the prime causes on your ache, and the way to deal with every.

1. You might have endometriosis

Endometriosis, a dysfunction the place tissue much like the liner of the uterus grows exterior of the uterus, is among the most typical causes of painful intercourse, says Amir Marashi, MD, a New York Metropolis-based OB/GYN and founder and CEO of Cerē. That is very true for those who’re in sexual positions that contain deeper penetration—like doggy type or the place your knees are close to your chest. Other than dyspareunia, the Mayo Clinic says endometriosis could make your durations painful and heavy, trigger painful bowel actions, or trigger infertility points (i.e., hassle getting pregnant).

The way to deal with it

In case your signs resemble that of endometriosis, attain out to your healthcare supplier. They will prescribe drugs—like contraception—to assist handle pelvic ache and heavy durations. In some instances, surgical procedure to take away endometrial lesions could also be required.

2. You may need a tilted uterus

1 in 4 folks with a uterus has one thing known as a “tilted” or “retroverted” uterus—which suggests the organ is positioned backward towards the rectum moderately than ahead towards the stomach. Whereas there’s nothing harmful or unhealthy a couple of tilted uterus, it will possibly make deeper penetrative intercourse positions uncomfortable, says Rebecca Keith, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN with Pediatrix Medical Group in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

The way to deal with it

You may’t change the lean of your uterus, sadly. However switching it up in mattress could make a distinction. If positions like doggy type or missionary together with your legs up are uncomfortable, attempt approaching prime so you possibly can management how deep issues go, Dr. Keith recommends. Different good choices: Lay aspect to aspect and have your companion enter you from behind, or attempt missionary together with your legs lowered down.

3. It is from an orgasm

Orgasms (i.e., the peak of sexual arousal adopted by small, pleasurable pelvic contractions) are imagined to really feel good, however sure underlying situations could make them painful as an alternative. One of the crucial frequent situations that trigger painful orgasms is pelvic ground dysfunction, or when tight pelvic ground muscle mass can cramp and contract throughout orgasm to trigger pelvic ache.

The way to deal with it

In case you’re experiencing painful orgasms, it is perhaps from pelvic ground points which could be relieved by one thing known as pelvic ground remedy. Throughout the sort of bodily remedy, your practitioner will enable you determine which pelvic ground muscle mass are too tense and present you workouts to stretch and strengthen these muscle mass.

4. You might have vaginismus

Vaginismus is a situation the place your vaginal muscle mass tense or spasm involuntarily throughout penetrative intercourse or a gynecologic examination, which may trigger ache. (In some instances, it will possibly make it inconceivable to have penetrative intercourse.) The Nationwide Library of Medication says this situation can occur to folks with a historical past of sexual trauma or abuse, or to individuals who have an irregular response to bodily ache.

The way to deal with it

Remedy for vaginismus often entails a multi-pronged strategy to make you much less delicate to penetration. Widespread therapies embody pelvic ground workouts to chill out your muscle mass or intercourse remedy workouts like vaginal dilation (i.e., utilizing a medical-grade device to stretch and increase the opening of the vagina).

As a result of vaginismus may also stem from a historical past of abuse or different trauma, in search of assist from a psychological well being skilled within the type of discuss remedy might assist ease signs and reframe your narrative round intercourse.

5. It is perhaps interstitial cystitis

Round the clock pelvic ache (together with throughout intercourse) paired with nonstop peeing and urgency (assume 60+ instances a day) could possibly be an indication of interstitial cystitis, a continual situation the place bladder irritation messes together with your regular “gotta-pee” alerts. In consequence, you are feeling like you could pee just about nonstop. Interstitial cystitis may also trigger signs like vaginal burning, problem peeing, or blood within the urine.

The way to deal with it

A mixture of remedies might help relieve interstitial cystitis ache. Discovering what triggers a flare-up (i.e., sure meals or drinks, holding in your pee, train, and so on.) and avoiding or limiting these issues might help. Your healthcare supplier may additionally advocate pelvic ground remedy or drugs like antidepressants or antihistamines to cut back irritation and the urge to pee.

6. It is perhaps an an infection

When you have an an infection of any type “down there” (specifically, yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, a sexually transmitted an infection (STI), and so on.), you are most likely going to have some ache, itching, and burning that will get worse after intercourse. Moreover, infections may cause a thick or smelly vaginal discharge (that is completely different out of your “regular” discharge). The American School of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) notes that any distinction in discharge shade, consistency, or odor is price wanting into together with your healthcare supplier.

Remember the fact that some infections may also progress and trigger signs like fever, chills, or fatigue.

The way to deal with it

Go to your healthcare supplier for those who assume you’ve gotten any form of vaginal an infection. In case you assume you’ve gotten an STI, specifically, it’s also possible to get examined at your healthcare supplier’s workplace or native well being clinic. The ACOG notes most infections have to be handled with antibiotics, and the earlier you begin them, the earlier you may get aid.

7. It is from pelvic inflammatory illness

Pelvic inflammatory illness (PID) is a situation that usually stems from an untreated STI—like gonorrhea or chlamydia—and causes irritation round your cervix, which may make intercourse and urination painful. Different frequent signs to look out for embody ongoing decrease belly ache, a fever, foul-smelling discharge, or irregular durations, in response to the Workplace on Ladies’s Well being.

The way to deal with it

PID can also be an an infection that requires antibiotics to heal. In case you assume you’ve gotten PID, go to your healthcare supplier for STI testing and remedy. Untreated PID can worsen and result in doable long-term problems reminiscent of infertility, ectopic being pregnant (when fetal tissue grows exterior the uterus), or continual pelvic ache.

8. You might have ovarian cysts

Generally, your ovaries (small reproductive organs that retailer eggs) can develop fluid-filled sacs known as cysts. Whereas they’re often innocent, ovarian cysts may cause signs like one-sided belly ache which comes and goes (together with throughout intercourse), bloating, and a sense of belly stress or fullness. It is uncommon, however in some instances, ovarian cysts can burst and trigger extreme pelvic ache and bleeding which can require medical remedy.

The way to deal with it

When you have all of the signs of an ovarian cyst, test in together with your healthcare supplier. Whereas some cysts go away on their very own, others might develop bigger and require surgical procedure to take away them. Moreover, when you have sudden or extreme pelvic ache, fever, vomiting, weak spot, or lightheadedness, search emergency medical consideration. This might imply {that a} cyst has ruptured or burst.

9. It is from uterine fibroids

Fibroids are benign (innocent) growths that type on the liner of the wall of the uterus. Whereas they’re sometimes identified for inflicting signs like heavy and painful durations or making your stomach really feel oddly full, they’ll typically trigger decrease again, pelvic, or belly ache throughout intercourse. In some instances, folks might not even know they’ve fibroids in any respect as a result of they do not have signs.

The way to deal with it

Treating uterine fibroids will rely on how a lot they’re affecting your life. If the fibroids are small and vary from “not noticeable” to “mildly uncomfortable,” your healthcare supplier may counsel taking over-the-counter ache aid medicine (like Ibuprofen) or getting hormonal contraception to alleviate signs. Bigger fibroids that trigger intense ache, nevertheless, might have to be surgically eliminated.

10. You would be ovulating

In some situations, uterus ache after intercourse could possibly be from ovulation. For most individuals with a uterus, ovulation (i.e., when an ovary releases an egg) occurs every menstrual cycle—about midway between their durations. This course of can typically trigger one-sided belly ache or cramping, which could be felt for those who’re having intercourse across the similar time. For instance, you may discover a short twinge or sudden, sharp ache in your pelvic area whereas having intercourse, which fits away after a day or two.

The way to deal with it

As a result of ovulation ache is usually innocent and short-term, sure at-home treatments—like a heating pad or OTC ache medicine—can ease discomfort. In case your ovulation ache is interfering together with your high quality of life each menstrual cycle, attain out to your healthcare supplier. They might prescribe sure contraception tablets that cease ovulation, Dr. Streicher says.

The way to stop and deal with uterine ache after intercourse

After all, if something feels uncomfortable or painful throughout intercourse, it is best to cease, says Dr. Keith. Relying on how you are feeling, you and your companion (or by yourself for those who’re having a solo sesh) can resolve when to attempt once more (i.e. if you’re not in ache). Or, you could chorus from intercourse for a couple of days till you will get the issue checked out by a healthcare supplier.

From there, treating and stopping uterus ache after intercourse will rely on the underlying trigger. Listed here are some go-to choices advisable by the consultants:

• Altering intercourse positions: Once more, typically switching intercourse positions makes an enormous distinction. Skip the deeper penetrative ones (like doggy type or ones the place your knees are up by your chest) and go for one thing the place you possibly can management how deep your companion goes, such as you on prime, Dr. Marashi recommends. Commonplace missionary or side-lying positions are good, too.
• Warmth: A heating pad or scorching water bottle draped over your decrease stomach might assist relieve cramping, Dr. Keith says.
• Ache aid meds: OTC choices like Motrin, Aleve, and even Midol may also assist with minor cramping or irritation, says Dr. Keith.
• Pelvic ground remedy: Circumstances like pelvic ground dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, and vaginismus usually reply to pelvic stretching and strengthening workouts.
• Drugs: When you have an underlying situation like endometriosis or fibroids, your healthcare supplier may prescribe hormonal meds. They will additionally advocate antibiotics for an an infection.
• Surgical procedure: In some instances, points like endometriosis and fibroids may have surgical remedy if they do not reply to drugs.

When to see a healthcare supplier

A slight twinge of ache from a sure intercourse place is not seemingly trigger for concern, particularly if the ache goes away if you change to one thing completely different. However for those who’re experiencing frequent discomfort or ache from intercourse, it is best to let your healthcare supplier know.

“Intercourse shouldn’t be painful,” says Dr. Streicher, and also you should never really feel like it’s important to “muscle” by it. Collectively, you and your healthcare supplier can discuss by your signs to determine the underlying difficulty, and resolve on the way to deal with it, so intercourse (whether or not solo or with a companion) can really feel good once more.