“If the ache happens simply as soon as and doesn’t recur, it is probably not a trigger for concern. Generally, it might be as a result of tough intercourse, a accomplice of a distinct measurement, an upset abdomen, and even accidents associated to intercourse, says Amir Marashi, MD, a New York Metropolis-based OB/GYN and founder and CEO of Cerē. However different instances, it’d imply you could have an underlying gynecologic or GI concern that must be addressed.
Listed here are ten attainable the reason why you could have abdomen ache after intercourse when you’ve got a vagina, when to see your physician about it, and how you can stop it from coming again.
10 causes for abdomen ache after intercourse when you’ve got a vagina
There are numerous the reason why somebody would possibly really feel abdomen ache after intercourse in the event that they feminine reproductive organs, like a vagina. This will vary from gynecologic points to GI points and may additionally rely upon the situation of the ache.
1. Endometriosis
Endometriosis—a dysfunction the place tissue just like the liner of the uterus grows outdoors of the uterus—is likely one of the most typical causes of painful intercourse, in line with Dr. Marashi. That is very true “if the ache happens throughout deep penetration positions just like the knee-chest or “doggy fashion positions,”” he provides.
The situation may also trigger very painful or heavy durations, painful bowel actions, and hassle getting pregnant, per the Mayo Clinic. Generally, endometriosis can include intestine well being points that make it troublesome to tell apart between uterus cramps after intercourse or a GI situation.
How one can deal with it
See your physician in case you suppose you might have endometriosis. Hormonal medicines like contraception drugs can typically assist handle your endometriosis ache and heavy durations. In some circumstances, surgical procedure may additionally be wanted, the Mayo Clinic notes.
2. Vaginal dryness
Dry vaginal tissue, which regularly hits throughout perimenopause or menopause as estrogen ranges decline, may cause irritation that makes intercourse uncomfortable or painful. You may additionally get itching, burning, and even recognizing throughout or after intercourse, too, per Mount Sinai.
How one can deal with it
Many individuals discover aid by utilizing a vaginal lubricant (utilized earlier than intercourse) and a vaginal moisturizer (utilized each day, like a facial moisturizer), which hydrates dry tissues to make intercourse extra comfy, Dr. Marashi says. Topical estrogen (utilized as a cream, ring, or pill) may also assist ease extra extreme signs, per Mount Sinai.
3. Vaginismus
When you could have vaginismus, your vaginal muscle groups might involuntary tense or spasm throughout penetrative intercourse or gynecologic exams, which may trigger ache. (In some circumstances, it could make it not possible to have penetrative intercourse.) It typically occurs in folks with a historical past of sexual trauma or abuse, or in individuals who have an irregular response to bodily ache, in line with the Nationwide Library of Medication (NLM).
How one can deal with it
Treating vaginismus entails therapies that make you much less delicate to penetration. That would embody pelvic flooring workout routines, bodily remedy, counseling, and intercourse remedy workout routines like vaginal dilation, per the NLM.
4. Uterine fibroids
Fibroids—benign growths that kind on the liner of the wall of the uterus—are recognized for inflicting heavy or painful durations and a sense of fullness in your decrease stomach. However they will additionally trigger decrease again ache, pelvic, or belly ache throughout intercourse, per the Workplace on Ladies’s Well being.
How one can deal with it
Fibroid remedy will depend on how large the fibroid is and the signs it is inflicting. Small fibroids that trigger discomfort can generally be managed with hormonal medicines like contraception drugs or gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists. Bigger ones might have to be eliminated surgically, in line with the Workplace on Ladies’s Well being.
5. Ovarian cysts
Cysts, or fluid-filled sacs, that kind in your ovaries are often innocent. However they will trigger intermittent belly ache (together with throughout intercourse) that is targeting one facet, bloating, and a sense of stress or fullness in your stomach, per the Mayo Clinic. In uncommon cases, a cyst can burst and trigger extreme ache and pelvic bleeding.
It is also attainable to have a number of cysts on every ovary, a situation known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This situation typically comes with different signs like weight acquire, further physique or facial hair, or irregular durations, per Johns Hopkins Medication.
How one can deal with it
Some cysts will clear up on their very own; others may be shrunk with hormonal medicines or eliminated with surgical procedure. It is best to search emergency medical consideration when you’ve got sudden or extreme pelvic ache, ache with fever or vomiting, or weak spot or lightheadedness, per the Mayo Clinic. These might be indicators the cyst has ruptured or burst.
6. Infections
Vaginal infections like yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can all trigger pelvic ache or discomfort, together with throughout intercourse. The infections are often accompanied by a change in your regular vaginal discharge—suppose a distinct quantity or consistency, shade, or odor, per the American School of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
How one can deal with it
Vaginal infections often require remedy, so let your physician know in case you suppose you could have one. Relying on the an infection, they might prescribe an antibiotic like metronidazole or clindamycin, ACOG says. Should you get repeat yeast infections, your gynecologist would possibly advocate managing them with an over-the-counter (OTC) med like miconazole. However do not self-treat your yeast an infection with out your physician’s okay.
7. Pelvic flooring dysfunction
Pelvic flooring dysfunction, the place your pelvic flooring muscle groups aren’t capable of loosen up and coordinate actions like peeing and pooping, may cause ache in your pelvis, rectum, or decrease again. The ache may be ongoing (together with throughout intercourse) or be extra noticeable once you’re attempting to poop, per the NLM. You may additionally need to pressure to pee or poop or cope with incontinence.
How one can deal with it
Pelvic flooring dysfunction is often relieved with pelvic flooring remedy. Your therapist might help you determine the place you are tensing your muscle groups and present you workout routines to stretch and coordinate them. They might even advocate post-sex stretching to assist loosen up your pelvic flooring.
8. Pelvic inflammatory illness
Pelvic inflammatory illness (PID), which regularly stems from an untreated STI like gonorrhea or chlamydia, “causes irritation across the cervix, resulting in ache throughout intercourse,” or whereas urinating, Dr. Marashi says. You may additionally have ongoing decrease belly ache, a fever, foul-smelling discharge, or irregular durations, in line with the Workplace on Ladies’s Well being.
How one can deal with it
Antibiotics are wanted to clear up PID. So in case you’re having attainable signs, let your physician know. The an infection can worsen in case you ignore it and may probably lead issues like infertility, ectopic being pregnant, or persistent pelvic ache, per the Workplace on Ladies’s Well being.
9. Vulvodynia
Should you’re affected by recurring sharp or uncooked ache, irritation, or burning round your vulva (the outer a part of your genitals), with no clear trigger, you might have vulvodynia. This situation usually lasts about three months and has no clear trigger. Many individuals with vulvodynia discover it troublesome to have intercourse as a result of it hurts an excessive amount of, in line with the Mayo Clinic. And in the event that they do have intercourse, it could make the ache worse.
How one can deal with it
A multi-pronged strategy often works greatest. Your physician would possibly advocate ache medicines (like antidepressants, native anesthetics, or nerve blocks), pelvic flooring remedy, cognitive behavioral remedy, or intercourse remedy, relying in your signs and remedy objectives, the Mayo Clinic notes.
10. GI points
You probably have any abdomen or GI points happening, penetrative intercourse can undoubtedly make it really feel worse. “Points associated to the gastrointestinal system, equivalent to constipation, diarrhea, or bloating, can all contribute to belly ache throughout or after intercourse,” Dr. Marashi says. These may also all be signs of GI situations like IBS, inflammatory bowel illness (IBD), or meals intolerances.
How one can deal with it
The repair will depend on what’s inflicting your signs. You may often ease constipation and bloating (which may include constipation) by consuming extra water, consuming extra fiber, and getting extra motion, per the Mayo Clinic. However in case you’re coping with diarrhea? Persist with a bland eating regimen and drink loads of water till your signs ease up. In case your signs aren’t resolved after a number of days, otherwise you’re in ache, attain out to your physician to rule out any underlying GI situations.
How one can do away with abdomen ache after intercourse
Relieving belly ache after intercourse will rely upon addressing the underlying trigger, Dr. Marashi says. Within the meantime, listed here are some steps to assist soothe any discomfort:
- Apply warmth. A heat compress, heating pad, or sizzling water bottle draped over your decrease stomach might help ease abdomen cramps after intercourse by decreasing muscle spasms, notes Johns Hopkins Medication.
- Attempt an OTC ache reliever. Choices like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen can all offer you fast aid when you’ve got decrease belly ache after being sexually energetic.
- Prescription medicines. Antibiotics might help clear up infections, whereas contraception drugs and different hormone-based therapies may be wanted for issues like endometriosis, fibroids, or cysts. You and your physician can speak about your choices and resolve on a repair.
Stopping abdomen ache after intercourse
Once more, stopping cramps after intercourse will rely upon pinpointing and treating the underlying trigger, Dr. Marashi says. Relying on the issue, your choices would possibly embody the next:
- Change positions. Switching it up could make a giant distinction for sure situations. “For example, endometriosis sufferers might really feel ache when the penis reaches very deep and hits the realm of uterosacral nerve behind the uterus. In such circumstances, switching to positions like side-lying or missionary might help scale back discomfort,” Dr. Marashi explains. Getting on prime would possibly assist, too, as a result of it offers you extra management over the depth of penetration, he provides.
- Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants to hydrate dry vaginal tissue and scale back painful friction.
- Pelvic flooring remedy to stretch and strengthen your pelvic muscle groups. Your therapist would possibly even advocate utilizing a vibrator at house. “Vibration will increase blood circulation to the pelvic flooring muscle groups and the clitoris, which might help rehabilitate the muscle groups over time,” Dr. Marashi explains. This may increasingly scale back your possibilities of being sore after intercourse.
When to see the physician
There are a variety of various the reason why your abdomen would harm after intercourse. Let your physician know in case your ache retains coming again—whether or not it occurs throughout intercourse or not. The identical goes for ache that is steady, extreme, or accompanied by different signs like interval adjustments or uncommon vaginal discharge, says Dr. Marashi. “Persistent or repetitive ache can point out an underlying concern that must be addressed,” he provides.
FAQ
Does abdomen ache after intercourse imply you’re pregnant?
Abdomen ache after intercourse would not essentially imply your pregnant. Most frequently, the reason for this ache is from one thing innocent like constipation or bloating, or it might be a persistent situation like endometriosis or fibroids. One of the simplest ways to determine what you are coping with? See your physician, particularly if the ache is unhealthy or if it retains coming again, Dr. Marashi recommends. And if there’s an opportunity you might be pregnant, taking an at-home being pregnant take a look at is all the time an excellent step.
Why do I really feel sick after intercourse?
Deep pelvic or belly ache that occurs when you could have intercourse can generally offer you a sick-to-your-stomach feeling. However the ache can have a ton of various attainable causes. Should you’re undecided what you are coping with, it is best to get checked out by a physician.
Can deep intercourse harm your abdomen?
Sure. You are extra liable to it when you’ve got a situation like endometriosis, Dr. Marashi says. However generally tough intercourse or deep positions may cause one-off ache, he provides. If it hurts or would not really feel proper, cease and check out one thing completely different subsequent time!
