If your pain is persistent and is not resolving, you should go see a gynecologist. Pain after sex is not a normal thing.
Your gyno should be able to diagnose the issue and prescribe antibiotics if needed. However, if the cause is more serious, they will probably refer you to a pelvic floor specialist like Dr. Gelman.
Causes
The pain you feel in your stomach after sex could be related to something physical or a mental or emotional reaction to the act of penetration. If you’re new to sexual activity, it might take some time for your body to adapt to this type of physical activity. As you learn how to use different sexual positions, your abdomen may hurt as you experience orgasms and other sensations from the penis. This is called dyspareunia and can be caused by the pressure of the penis on the uterus.
If you have a condition like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease, this could cause you to have pain during sex and after. This is a common cause of lower abdominal pain and can be easily treated with medication.
Another possible cause is a bacterial infection in the vagina or a sexually transmitted disease (STI) like chlamydia or gonorrhea. These infections can spread from the vagina or anal canal to your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This causes pelvic pain and worsens during and after sex.
If you have a tilted uterus, this may also cause you to have pain during and after sex. A tilted uterus can be caused by different factors and is more likely to happen when you have anal or vaginal sex. If your uterus is tilted, try positioning yourself differently during sexual activity to see if it helps.
Symptoms
Stomach pain after sexual activity is pretty common and usually nothing to worry about. But it can be a sign of an underlying medical problem that needs professional attention. It may be as simple as indigestion, but it could also be a sign of something more serious like endometriosis. A woman with this condition has tissue that normally lines the uterus growing in other places, such as the fallopian tubes or ovaries, causing painful menstrual cycles and pelvic pain.
If the symptom started suddenly, it could indicate a sexually transmitted infection, or STI. These infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes, can cause pain during intercourse, as well as pain in the lower abdomen. Regularly getting screened for these diseases is the best way to catch them early and treat them as soon as possible.
In some cases, pain in the upper stomach after sex can be due to orgasms, which are involuntary contractions of the pelvic muscles and the uterus. This pain can be similar to a cramp, and it usually dissipates once the muscles relax. If the pain doesn’t go away, talk to your gynaecologist about what may be causing it. They will be able to help you find the cause and offer solutions. They may suggest some lifestyle changes, medication, or treatment for an underlying health issue.
Treatment
Stomach pain after sex can be a sign of gynecological issues. A gynaecologist can run some tests to identify the cause and design a treatment plan.
A common cause of abdominal cramps after sex is reaching an orgasm. The involuntary contraction of the muscles in the pelvis and pelvic floor can cause pain for a few hours. If the orgasm is intense, the pain can last longer. Other causes of stomach pain after sex include urinary tract infections, bowel problems and uterine fibroids.
Urinary tract infections can irritate the bladder, urethra and the tubes that connect these organs. A bladder infection can be caused by bacteria that enter through the urethra during intercourse. A uti can also be caused by bacteria that infect the kidneys. Symptoms of these infections can include pain and burning.
Fibroids are benign tumors that can develop inside or on the uterus. These can be small or large, and some women have a single fibroid while others have several fibroid tumors in the uterus. When they come in contact with sperm, they can cause uterine contractions and lead to stomach pain after sex. Some types of anal and vaginal sex can also cause stomach pain if the penis is in a position that puts extra pressure on the uterus. Changing positions during sex might help reduce this type of pain.
Home Remedies
Stomach pain after sex can be caused by everything from orgasms to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and even pre-existing medical conditions like endometriosis. And while any stomach cramping sucks, it’s especially annoying when it occurs after something so pleasurable.
Luckily, you can probably treat most cases of this pain at home. When it comes to orgasm-related pain, you can try switching up positions — missionary style, for instance, may not be the best idea if you experience abdominal or back pain after sex. It might also help to squirt some vaginal lubricant into the anus and/or vagina beforehand to increase sensitivity.
Other types of sex-related pain, however, can require medical attention. If your pain is due to deep penetration (called dyspareunia), try taking some over-the-counter painkillers. This type of pain usually gets better after you modify your position or use more foreplay.
If you think your pain is a symptom of an STI, get tested right away. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can both cause pain during and after sex, and both are easy to treat with antibiotics. If you’re diagnosed with an STI, your doctor will likely prescribe you antibiotics and/or recommend some lifestyle changes to prevent future infections. If your gyno isn’t sure what’s causing your pain, they may do a pelvic sonogram to check out your uterus, tubes, ovaries, and bladder. They’ll also give you tips for pain-free sex and maybe refer you to a pelvic floor specialist.
