Cramping after sex can be unpleasant, especially when it becomes a regular occurrence. Both women and men can experience this pain, which can have many different causes.
In men, it can be caused by a prostate problem like prostatitis, which is inflammation of the walnut-sized gland that adds seminal fluid during ejaculation and sexual intercourse. Women can also have problems with their uterus such as fibroids or cysts.
Causes
Pain after sex can be the result of either physical or psychological factors. Known as dyspareunia, it can occur in men and women of all ages. The pain usually is centered on the penis and the surrounding genital area, but it can also be centered in the rectum or the lower abdomen. The pain can be caused by many things, including a hernia; problems with the vagina or uterus; and musculoskeletal issues, such as tight hip or pelvic muscles.
In men, the most common cause of pain during sexual intercourse is a strained muscle. This type of pain is similar to the discomfort felt after vigorous exercise and usually dissipates within minutes. In addition, hernias can cause pain after sex, which typically requires surgery to repair the damaged tissue.
Other causes of pain during sex in men include an infection, such as herpes; problems with the vaginal lining, cervix or uterus; and medical conditions like prostate cancer or testicular cancer. Untreated STIs, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause painful inflammation in the vulva and penis.
Some women experience pain during sexual intercourse because of a problem with the uterus, ovaries or ovaries’ cysts. These may include ovarian cysts, which can be painful if they are large; endometriosis; or fibroids. Fibroids are noncancerous growths that reside on the wall of the uterus and may be painful during and after sexual intercourse if they’re enlarged or irritated by hormones, such as those produced during ovulation.
Symptoms
Men can experience pain during and after sexual intercourse for a number of reasons. These include:
Pain during sex (dyspareunia) is common and can affect men (male dyspareunia) and women of all ages. It can be caused by physical factors and medical conditions, or by psychological issues. Pain can range from mild to severe and can occur either during or after sexual intercourse. There are different types of pain, including entry pain (intraorbital or superficial dyspareunia), deep penetration pain (collision or colliform dyspareunia) and genital itching.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause pelvic pain. This is especially true for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Some STIs do not have any symptoms, so it is important to get regular testing.
Hernias can also cause pain during sex. The most common type of hernia is an inguinal hernia, which happens when tissue pushes through the muscle that holds it. Vaginismus is another condition that can cause pain during sex. This is when the muscles in the vagina tighten and make it hard to insert anything, including a condom or a tampon.
Men can also experience pelvic pain due to a prostate problem. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the lower pelvis that helps add seminal fluid to the ejaculate during sexual intercourse. Prostate problems can be caused by urinary tract infections, a hernia or prolonged use of the pill, injected or rod-type hormonal contraceptives.
Treatment
Men suffering from pelvic pain might have a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. They might also experience an allergic reaction to items used during sex, such as condoms made of latex or spermicide. The pain might also be caused by a hernia, in which tissue pokes through the muscle that contains it. A strained muscle might also cause pelvic pain.
The pain might also be a sign of prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland that affects men between the ages of 30 and 50. It can cause pain during urination, ejaculation and sexual intercourse. It’s not usually a serious condition, but it can cause problems that affect quality of life.
In women, the vulva is an area that covers and protects the female reproductive organs and urinary opening. Its outer lips, called the labia majora, contain fat to cushion the area. Inside the labia are thinner flaps of skin called the labia minora that connect at the top to enclose the clitoris.
Vaginal pain might be a sign of an infection, such as yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. A medical professional might order blood tests to check for the presence of an infection, as well as urine samples. He or she might also use an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in the pelvic region.
Prevention
Acute pain after sex can be caused by overstretching or pulling a muscle during sexual intercourse. This is usually mild and goes away on its own, but it’s important to get checked if it becomes regular or gets worse. If it’s a chronic condition, your doctor may recommend a pelvic floor physical therapy program.
Men should also make sure they are using adequate lubrication during sexual intercourse. This will prevent friction and help with penetration. If you’re a trans man or nonbinary person, fluctuations in hormones can cause pelvic pain as well. A doctor can prescribe topical estrogen to increase lubrication and relieve symptoms of painful intercourse.
Some STIs can also cause pelvic pain. Chlamydia can lead to pain during and after sex, urination, and discharge. Gonorrhea and trichomoniasis can cause pain, itching, and discharge as well. Herpes is another common STI that causes pain during and after sex, as well as painful vaginal itching, discharge, and burning during urination.
The most serious cause of pelvic pain is urinary tract infections. If you have painful ejaculation or pain while peeing, see a urologist immediately. They will perform a history and examination of your genitals and digital rectal exam to check for signs of inflammation and infection of the prostate, such as a urethral stricture or urethral calculi. They can also prescribe medication to treat the infection if necessary.
