Why Does It Hurt When I Have Sex? The Causes of Painful Sex
Today, we’re kicking things off with the cold hard truth: The vast majority of women have experienced pain during sex. While we wish this wasn’t the case, studies have shown that roughly 75% of women will experience painful sex (also known by its medical term, dyspareunia) at some point in their lives. For some, the pain is rare (maybe it only happened once), but for others it is persistent. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, it’s important to speak to your doctor about it.
One of the great tragedies about dyspareunia is that it is severely underreported. That is why many women who experience pain during sex are often unaware that it is a real medical condition. Instead, we are left thinking there is something wrong with our bodies. But at WE GO THERE, we’re seeking to normalize painful sex for women so that you never blame yourselves again. We want to make known that not only is dyspareunia EXTREMELY common, it’s also treatable! Keep reading to educate yourself about the most common causes, symptoms, and treatments for dyspareunia so you that you can (fingers crossed) say goodbye to painful sex for good. Pain-free sex is in your future, we promise! ;)
Remember: Sex isn’t supposed to hurt
First thing’s first, sex isn’t supposed to hurt. Sex is about pleasure and enjoyment, so if you’re experiencing the complete opposite of that, it’s time to seek medical help. These are the types of pain to be on the lookout for:
Potential Causes: What is your body trying to tell you?
Now that you know the symptoms of dyspareunia, let’s consider the potential causes. The culprit typically relates to where the pain is felt.
If you feel pain upon entry:
If you feel pain in the pelvis during deep penetration:
The emotional causes
If none of the above really applies to you, then it’s possible the pain you’re experiencing is caused by psychological factors. After all, the mind and body are one, which is why feeling stressed can result in a physical response like the tightening of your pelvic floor muscles. Psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, lack of self-esteem, or relationship issues can also contribute to painful sex.
PS: Lube is your friend
Now that we’ve gotten the scary stuff out of the way, it’s time to break down your treatment options. The reality is that dryness is the most common cause of painful sex, which is why for most women personal lubricant is the answer. (Seriously, if you haven’t tried lube, check out South’s probiotic sex H20 - it’s about to change your life). For all those issues that lube can’t solve, your doctor will likely recommend one of the following courses of action:
As you can see, pain during sex is real, ladies, and it is not to be taken lightly! Mild soreness happens, but severe pain shouldn’t. If you currently experience any of the above symptoms, we urge you to consult with your doctor. Because let’s be honest, life is way too short for painful sex.
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