7 reasons for pain and cramps after intercourse

If abdominal pain and cramps after sexual intercourse occur infrequently in a woman, there is no reason to panic. If this happens often or even regularly, it is good to know the reasons in the first place, and in addition to visit your gynecologist in case of more serious pain.

We often talk about the pleasures that (safe) sexual intercourse brings us, but we rarely talk about the pain that may be present in society as well as otherwise. Mild pain during intercourse may be a normal occurrence, but if the pain escalates and at the same time becomes almost unbearable during intercourse, it should not be taken for granted. Gynecologist Lauren Streicher argues that the causes of cramps and pain can be hidden in many conditions. For TheHealthy portal, the aforementioned doctor and another gynecologist Susan S. Khalil revealed the most common reasons why these pains can occur.

If it happens infrequently, it’s probably a muscle spasm

During orgasm, the muscles in the pelvic floor — the muscles that support the pelvic organs, including the uterus, bladder, and rectum — tighten and then relax. Streicher. But like any other muscle, these areas can also contract and not relax completely, which can cause mild cramps after intercourse. Streicher also points out that such cramps are not painful, but they can be a bit uncomfortable, but there is certainly no talk of more serious pain.

Susan S. Khalil, a doctor and director of the Mount Sinai Health System, adds that mild or even more painful cramps can occur due to rough sex, in which the genitals hit the wall of the uterus harder. The doctor also points out that in some women, certain positions can also cause discomfort, and consequently cramps.

Premenstrual pain is not uncommon

A woman can already face many ailments before menstruation, and some of them may also have pain during intercourse due to premenstrual pain and the so-called premenstrual syndrome. “Some women are more sensitive before the menstrual cycle, and especially during it,” says Dr. Khalil.

Pain and cramps may indicate bowel problems

Pain and cramps can also be caused by a variety of bowel problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease, says Dr. Khalil. Chronic bowel problems can eventually affect the functioning of the pelvic floor muscles, leading to bloating and cramps that do not fully relax as they should. The doctor also says that the reason can be very simple – for example, severe constipation or bloating can trigger cramps and abdominal pain during intercourse, and as a result they are not so much related to intercourse, but more to the intestines.

The problem may be hiding in the pelvic floor

“Some women who have pain during and after intercourse may have pelvic floor dysfunction,” says Dr. Streicher. There are many conditions that can cause pelvic floor dysfunction to occur, so Streicher points out that in the event that pain and cramps recur during intercourse, it is important to visit your gynecologist and find out the cause. If the problem is in the pelvic floor, the pain during sexual intercourse does not subside, but eventually intensifies.

The reason may be in uterine fibroids (fibroids) or in cysts on the ovaries

Uterine fibroids or. fibroids, especially ovarian cysts, are not uncommon in women. In myomas, we usually talk about benign (but they can also be malignant!) Growths in the uterus, which are, as already mentioned, common and asymptomatic. Many women with fibroids often don’t even know they have them. They can cause constipation and pain during intercourse. Cysts, on the other hand, are so-called sacs that are filled with fluid and grow in the ovaries or on their surface. Both, ie both fibroids and cysts, are most often benign, but above all they cause many problems, including serious pain during sexual intercourse.

Pain during intercourse may indicate endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue lining the uterus begins to grow in other parts of the pelvic area, says Dr. Khalil. “Sometimes it infiltrates the supply of nerves in the pelvis or ovaries and triggers a painful cycle with movement,” he says. “For some women, this can be a very severe pain,” she adds. Endometriosis can be located anywhere in the pelvic region, but it is present primarily in the lower abdomen and can be located on one side or the other.

Past traumas can also play a significant role

The pain present during sexual intercourse may, on the one hand, be related to the physical aspect in trauma, and, on the other hand, may have a completely psychological note. Dr. Khalil warns that the trauma experienced by a woman can occur in many delayed forms, so many representatives of this or that pain do not even associate it with her. Pain can only occur in certain situations, but it can recur. If there is a psychological basis for the pain that occurs during intercourse, it is important to seek psychological support and appropriate professional help.

In case of recurrent pain and cramps, be sure to consult your gynecologist

As already mentioned, if the pain occurs only occasionally, or we notice that it occurs, for example, before menstruation, there is certainly no reason to panic. However, if the pain and cramps recur, it is a good idea to visit your gynecologist, who will find out the real reason for the recurring problem. Mild discomfort and occasional mild pain are not so uncommon, but more serious pain should definitely not be taken for granted, let alone as part of a beautiful sexual relationship.