• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Lifestyle / Living with Fibroids / When Sex Hurts: 10 Most Common Causes Of Pain During Sex

When Sex Hurts: 10 Most Common Causes Of Pain During Sex

pain during sex
“Ouch! That hurts!” is one of the last things you want to say during sex and pain is definitely not what you want to feel during sex. Not only can it ruin the mood, but it can create significant anxiety around having sex. In addition, it can cause issues within your relationship. Sex is supposed to be pleasurable, not painful. So what happens when it is?

If you are experiencing pain during sex, the first step is to try and figure out what’s causing the pain. There are a variety of reasons a woman may experience pain during sex.

The reasons could be physical and/or psychological. The pain could even be the result of something as simple as the products that you are using may be irritating the genital area.

Knowing what is causing pain is crucial to relieving the pain but also to experiencing pleasure. Here are 10 possible causes:

You May Also Like
13 Signs You Need to See a Dermatologist

1. Sexually Transmitted Infection

Having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can definitely have an impact on sexual pleasure. An STI can cause significant pain to your internal and external sex organs. This pain may intensify during intercourse. STIs can also be pretty tricky. Some STIs, particularly gonorrhea and chlamydia, may not show any symptoms until it is too late or until it causes scarring and major damage to an organ. Additionally, some STIs will cause vaginal itching and dryness which may also make sex pretty painful. If you suspect that you have an STI, it is important to be evaluated as soon as possible to relieve the pain and/or reduce the chances of infertility.

2. Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is recurrent or persistent genital pain before, during or after sex. It can be acquired or congenital or generalized or situational. Dyspareunia is not a disease, but rather a symptom of an underlying physical, biological or psychological factor. The pain, which is often described as excruciating menstrual cramps, can be mild or severe. It may be superficial, felt in the area around the opening of the vagina and vulva. Or the pain may be deep, felt within the pelvic region or lower back. When the pain occurs, a woman experiencing dyspareunia may be distracted from feeling the pleasure and excitement of sex. Due to the persistent experience of pain during sex, a woman still may experience pain during sex even after the original source of pain has disappeared, simply because, in her mind, she expects to.

RELATED: Ladies, These 4 Myths Are Ruining Your Sex Life!

3. Uterine Fibroids

Certain medical conditions, such as uterine fibroids located near the cervix, are often the underlying cause of painful sex. Pressure placed on these fibroids during intercourse can cause anything from mild discomfort to severe pain. For some, friction can also be a factor. Positioning can affect your level of pain during sex with fibroids. It may be helpful to experiment with different sexual positions to see if there is one you might find more comfortable. Remember that communication is key; although it may feel awkward, we encourage you to talk openly with your partner. If you’ve been diagnosed with fibroids and are experiencing painful sex that is affecting your sex life, personal relationships, and self-esteem, we encourage you to seek treatment from a fibroid specialist. You may be surprised to learn that nonsurgical methods can quickly and effectively improve your symptoms.

You May Also Like
7 Proven Ways to Cure an Upset Stomach

4. Lichen Sclerosus

Lichen sclerous is an uncommon condition that creates patchy, white skin in the vulva that is thinner than normal. Lichen sclerous can make sex extremely painful for women due to the itching and scarring. Scarring may narrow the opening of the vagina, which can make penetration painfully difficult. In addition, blistering of the skin may make the vulva unbearable to touch. The exact cause of lichen sclerosis is unknown. However, the condition may be related to a lack of sex hormones. Although lichen sclerosus may involve the skin around the genitals, it is not contagious and cannot be spread through sex.

RELATED: Sex Therapy: Making a Path For Greater Intimacy

5. Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is chronic vulvar discomfort or pain, characterized by burning, stinging, irritation or rawness of the female genitalia. In the simplest of terms, it means “pain of the vulva.” There are two main subtypes of vulvodynia: 1) generalized vulvodynia and 2) vulvar vestibulitis. Generalized vulvodynia is pain that occurs spontaneously and is relatively constant, but there can be some periods of symptom relief. Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome is characterized by pain limited to the vestibule, the area surrounding the opening of the vagina. It occurs during or after pressure is applied to the vestibule. The type of vulvodynia and severity of symptoms experienced are highly individualized. Vulvodynia can have a huge impact on a woman’s life. The pain can be so severe that it puts limitations on a woman’s ability to

Continue Reading

The Latest In Living with Fibroids

menstrual

Dreading That Time Of The Month? Try These Home Remedies

It’s that time again, the time every person with a uterus dreads: your monthly. For some, getting their menstrual every month is a walk in the park. They experience light to moderate bleeding and flow, no cramps, no backaches and read more about Dreading That Time Of The Month? Try These Home Remedies
Endocrine Disruptors

Are these Household Products Causing Fibroids?

New research is shedding new insight into how harmful compounds contained in plastic may disrupt hormone function and women's health. Approximately 80% of reproductive-aged women have uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous tumors that form in the uterus, but the source read more about Are these Household Products Causing Fibroids?
fibroids

Media Giant Necole Kane Starts Up My Happy Flo Company To Fight Fibroids

Everyone wants to believe they have a purpose on this Earth. Necole Kane certainly believed she had a calling to do some good in this life. After working in the media for several years and transitioning to the CEO of read more about Media Giant Necole Kane Starts Up My Happy Flo Company To Fight Fibroids
Beverly Johnson

Beverly Johnson Says a Hysterectomy Led to Menopause: “I Was Not Prepared”

A lot is known about menopause, like the fact that once a woman reaches 45 to 55, "the change" is around the corner. However, there are other factors that can cause women to experience menopause earlier than they typically would, read more about Beverly Johnson Says a Hysterectomy Led to Menopause: “I Was Not Prepared”
fibroids in uterus

Fibroids Can Develop in Other Places Besides Your Utuerus

The body can do many things. It can tell you when danger is near or protect you from sickness. It cleans out any waste and toxins and in some cases can even clean itself. Your body is something that does read more about Fibroids Can Develop in Other Places Besides Your Utuerus
Nischelle Turner

Nischelle Turner On Fibroids: “I Looked Like I Was Three Months Pregnant”

Like many women, Nischelle Turner spent years believing that the “debilitating” pain she was experiencing was a result of being a woman.  "I've had incredibly tough periods my entire life, very heavy, very painful. But in not knowing better, I read more about Nischelle Turner On Fibroids: “I Looked Like I Was Three Months Pregnant”

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries
  • Tracee Ellis Ross at 50: Loving Her Body With No FilterTracee Ellis Ross at 50: Loving Her Body With No Filter
  • Like Father, Like Son: ‘Miami Vice’ Star’s Son Handsome Like his DaddyLike Father, Like Son: 'Miami Vice' Star's Son Handsome Like his Daddy
  • Mo’Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: “I Love Us For Real”Mo'Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: "I Love Us For Real"
  • The Cast of The Bernie Mac Show: 20+ Years LaterThe Cast of The Bernie Mac Show: 20+ Years Later

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.