Feeling sore after sexual activity is not normal and should be investigated by a healthcare provider. Generally, it means there is an underlying issue causing the pain.
For example, if there isn’t enough vaginal lubrication during sex the friction can cause pain. Adding more lubrication or using foreplay to increase friction can relieve the pain.
Muscle Strain
A muscle strain, also called a pulled muscle, occurs when there is damage to the muscles and/or tendons attached to them. This can happen if you put too much pressure on your muscles, whether that’s doing daily activities, lifting something heavy or playing sports. Muscle strains can cause pain, bruising and loss of strength and range of motion in the injured area. They can also be very dangerous if they are severe and lead to compartment syndrome, which happens when there is so much swelling and blood in the injured area that it puts pressure on small blood vessels, cutting off their blood supply.
If you have a mild strain, your doctor may recommend rest, ice and compression to help it heal. They will probably want to know how you injured it and your regular activity level. They will ask about your pain level and if you have any other symptoms like numbness or tingling.
You can prevent muscle strains by properly warming up and stretching before any physical activity. It is also important to build up your strength evenly across all of your muscles. This helps your muscles to better handle stress and prevent injury. They can also be prevented by doing exercises that help your muscles become more flexible, especially as you age. For example, doing yoga or pilates can improve your flexibility and strength.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of your uterus grows outside your organs. This tissue can grow in your abdomen, pelvis and even on the diaphragm (a muscle that plays an important role in breathing). Experts believe that hormones promote this growth. They also think that cells from the peritoneum (the lining of your abdomen) transform into endometrial-like tissue and that this cell migration is influenced by retrograde menstruation, which causes monthly discharge to flow back into the fallopian tubes instead of out of the body through the vagina.
The resulting lesions, cysts and adhesions can cause chronic pelvic pain and infertility. There is no known way to prevent endometriosis, but improved awareness and early diagnosis can slow the progression of the disease.
If you have signs of endometriosis, your GP may refer you to a gynaecologist for further tests. They may ask you to write down your symptoms and examine your tummy and vagina. They may also order an ultrasound scan, MRI or laparoscopy.
Treatment for endometriosis can help reduce your pain, increase fertility and improve quality of life. Hormonal therapy can help prevent the monthly hormonal changes that can promote endometrial-like tissue growth, and birth control pills or a hormonal IUD can cut down on pain and bleeding. Surgery can treat severe symptoms and reduce the size of the affected area.
Anusitis and Proctitis
A condition called proctitis occurs when inflammation irritates the inner lining of your anal canal or the lower end of your large intestine, called the rectum. It’s a serious condition that can lead to rectal pain, blood in your poop and diarrhea.
Your rectum can become inflamed for many reasons. Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, genital herpes or chlamydia can cause it. Inflammation from inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease can also cause it. The bacterium Clostridium difficile can cause it if you’ve taken antibiotics that upset the balance of bacteria in your gut. Certain types of colon surgery that divert the passage of stool away from your anus can increase your risk of getting it.
If you have proctitis, your doctor will diagnose the underlying cause. If the infection is caused by a STI, he or she may prescribe antibiotics. If it’s caused by a herpes infection, you might need antiviral medicine. If the cause is a problem with your diet or anal habits, such as using an enema or straining to have a bowel movement, your doctor might recommend changes in how you manage these issues. He or she may also counsel you about safe sex practices and the use of condoms. If he or she finds no clear cause, your doctor might call it “idiopathic” proctitis.
Balanitis
Balanitis is a common condition that causes the head of the penis to become red and swollen. The cause of balanitis can range from an infection to a condition that affects the way the foreskin retracts. Symptoms can include itching, pain and discharge. Some people who have a weak immune system may be at risk of serious infection from organisms that can grow under the uncircumcised foreskin1.
If you suspect that you have balanitis, it is important to see a doctor for a diagnosis. Typically, your doctor will be able to recognize the symptoms of balanitis based on physical examination. They may use a swab to examine the discharge for bacteria.
The best way to prevent balanitis is to practise good hygiene. This means regularly washing the genital area with soap or shower gel that is not scented, and gently pulling back the foreskin to clean it. It is also important to dry the area thoroughly by patting it, not rubbing. Using a sitz bath (a warm bath you sit in) can help reduce swelling and itching. Steroid creams may also help alleviate a skin disease or allergy that can cause balanitis. In some cases, if the problem continues to recur, a doctor might recommend circumcision. They will usually only recommend this if other treatment hasn’t worked.
