When pain accompanies sexual activity, it should be taken seriously. The location, nature and duration of the pain can indicate a variety of issues, both physical and psychological.
The unique characteristics of lower abdominal pain during sexually active males can signal certain underlying conditions. Let’s take a look at some of these conditions.
Infections
Men who experience pain during sex should consult with a healthcare provider. It could be a sign of an infection, a health condition or a medication. Pain during sex may also be caused by a hormone imbalance or an injury to the penis, vulva or rectum. Infections that can cause sex pain include herpes sores, pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis.
STIs can cause abdominal pain after sexual activity for both men and women. These infections can be very serious, but most go away with the right medicine. Men can also experience pain from an undescended testicle, which occurs when the testis doesn’t descend into the scrotum, the area of skin on the lower abdomen below the penis. Inflammation of the epididymis, a tube where sperm collects and matures, is called epididymitis. This is a common health problem in men and can cause pain during sex, ejaculation and orgasm.
Other infections that can lead to sex pain for men include urinary tract infections, which are usually caused by bacteria that overgrow in the bladder or prostate, a gland that makes semen. These infections can also affect the urethra. Urinary tract infections can cause itching, burning and pain during or after sex, especially when the person tries to urinate.
Some medications can make sex painful for men, including antidepressants and muscle relaxers. Other possible causes of sex pain are an enlarged prostate, an undiagnosed prostate cancer or a hormone imbalance. Seeing a doctor for an evaluation is the best way to determine the cause of your pain and get it treated. Pain during sex can have lasting psychological effects, so it’s important to get it treated as soon as you notice symptoms. The earlier you address your pain, the more quickly and easily you can resolve it.
Cramps
A cramp is a painful tightening of muscles. It can occur when the body is stretched or over-exerted, as can happen during sex. A strained muscle is the most common type of pain that men experience after sexual activity. It is often felt in the pelvic area or other areas of the body, and it usually dissipates after a few seconds to minutes.
A woman can also experience abdominal cramping after sex. This can be due to a number of things, such as not using enough lubricant during foreplay or an existing medical issue. Occasionally, the uterus can be sensitive, especially when there is an imbalance of hormones.
Sometimes, a woman can experience pain from a pregnancy, particularly an ectopic pregnancy. This is a condition where the fetus is growing in an area other than in the uterus, and it requires immediate medical attention as it can be life-threatening.
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause abdominal pain, including pain during intercourse. This is because of an infection in the cervix or the penis, or it can be due to the effect of the infection on the surrounding tissue.
Problems with the bladder or urinary tract can also cause abdominal pain after sex. This is because the bladder sits right in front of the uterus, and it can irritate the area during sexual activities. This is particularly true if someone has a urinary tract infection or a condition called interstitial cystitis, which causes pain and pressure in the bladder and pelvis.
It’s important to understand the types of pain that can occur after sex and how it’s treated. It’s also important to talk with a healthcare professional about the pain, as they will be able to do a physical examination and make a diagnosis.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the uterus and surrounding ligaments stretch significantly. This can cause pain, especially with movement and activity. This is called round ligament pain. Round ligaments connect the front of the uterus to the hips and groin and they stretch considerably during pregnancy, often causing sharp pain. This pain is common during the second trimester of pregnancy.
A miscarriage is also a cause of lower abdominal pain. Abdominal pain at the time of a period may indicate an ectopic pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg develops outside the uterus in the fallopian tube. This is often associated with severe pelvic pain, bleeding and a rapid drop in blood pressure. If this is suspected the woman should be referred to her gynaecology team for further investigation.
Another condition that can cause lower abdominal pain in pregnant women is endometriosis, which occurs when tissue from the uterus grows in places outside the uterus. This can cause painful periods and pelvic pain during sex.
Other causes of lower abdominal pain in pregnancy include a hernia or other pelvic inflammation, such as pyelonephritis, which is a infection of the urethra (the tube through which urine exits). The condition is sometimes confused with a urinary tract infection because symptoms are similar, including pain in the groin and the need to frequently urinate.
While pain during sexual intercourse can be a normal part of being pregnant, it should never be ignored or dismissed. If a woman feels persistent, severe pain during sex, or pain that is not relieved with rest and medication, she should see her ob-gyn doctor or seek emergency care. Women should also tell their doctors if they have any other red-flag symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding or a fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
