#HealthBytes: 7 things that might cause pain during sex
What's the story
If you experience pain during sexual intercourse, know that you are not alone.
According to a 2015 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, about 30% of women suffer from pain during vaginal intercourse.
However, sexual pain indicates that there could be something wrong with your body.
Here are 7 potential causes of pain during sex, and what you can do about them.
#1
Lack of foreplay
The natural fluids in a woman's body start getting into action only once they are aptly aroused.
This implies that if you skip foreplay and rush into intercourse, chances are that your vaginal walls will stay dry, which might lead to painful intercourse.
Thus, to avoid painful sex, foreplay is necessary.
#2
Childbirth or surgery
Having sexual intercourse too soon after childbirth (normal as well as through surgery) can be painful for a woman.
That's why it is generally recommended to refrain from penetrative sex for the first six weeks after childbirth/surgery.
However, if pain persists even after this period, one should consider contacting their doctor, who might recommend medication, therapy, or rarely, another surgery.
#3
Vaginal dryness
One common yet much ignored cause of painful intercourse is vaginal dryness, which makes penetration uneasy.
Lack of foreplay, warm showers, and side effects of certain medications and pills are known to dry you out.
If that's the case, using a natural, side effects-free lubricant every time you hit the sheets is advisable to avoid pain and soreness during sex.
#4
Stress
If you take stress to the bed, your experience can get ruined, as it will make you disinterested in getting intimate and may also cause pain.
So, make time for sex only when you feel like doing it, and not just for the sake of your partner's wishes.
Also, try relaxing activities like massage, walks, yoga, and meditation to calm yourself down.
#5
Skin problems
A range of skin disorders can cause ulcers or cracks in the skin of the vulva.
Contact dermatitis is one such skin problem caused due to irritating substances, such as perfumed soaps, douches, or lubricants.
Contact your dermatologist if you feel pain or irritation down there.
In addition, natural lubricants and soaps are recommended for use down-under to avoid unwanted side effects.
#6,7
Menopause and STDs
A woman's body goes through a number of changes during menopause. They include extra sensitivity in your vulva and vagina, and dryness in the vaginal area.
Additionally, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like genital warts, herpes, sores etc. can also make sexual intercourse painful.
In such cases, taking professional medical assistance is recommended.