• Pain
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Sexual Health
• STDs
• Yeast Infection

Why Does My Penis Hurt After Sex? 12 Reasons for Post-Intercourse Pain

Medically reviewed and edited by Dr. Anthony Puopolo

Experiencing pain in your penis or pelvic area region while engaging in sexual intercourse can be alarming and uncomfortable, but it’s more common than you may think. 

From minor issues, like friction due to lack of lubrication, to more severe conditions like infections, there are many reasons why you may be experiencing pain after sex. 

Understanding what could be causing penile pain is important for peace of mind.

In this article, we’ll explore the most common causes of post-sex penile pain and when it’s time to seek medical advice.

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12 Reasons Why You May Have a Sore Penis After Sex

Here are some of the reasons why you may be experiencing penile pain after sexual intercourse: 

Lack of proper lubrication

Without adequate lubrication while engaging in sexual activity, there is more friction between the skin of the penis and the vaginal walls. 

This friction can lead to chafing, irritation, or microtears in the skin, which can be painful following sexual intercourse.

Rubbing against another person’s body can impact the upper layer of skin on the penis, exposing the more sensitive layer beneath, which contains connective tissue and nerves. 

Lack of lubrication can cause inflammation of these tissues, resulting in pain, swelling, and discomfort that may persist after intercourse.

Vigorous and prolonged sexual intercourse

Having prolonged or vigorous sex can result in the penis remaining erect for a long time, which can strain or injure the muscles in the penis.

Your penis may feel tender or sore until the penile tissue recovers. This discomfort may last a few days, depending on how long or vigorously you had sexual intercourse.

Delayed ejaculation (DE)

Delayed ejaculation (DE) is characterized by taking more than 30 minutes to ejaculate during sex or masturbation. It affects around 4% of the male population in the U.S. 

Some people are born with DE, but it can also be the result of anxiety, stress, and certain medications like antidepressants.

Not being able to ejaculate during sex or masturbation can lead to swelling, tenderness, and soreness in your penis and scrotum.

These symptoms can last a few hours after sexual activity or until the blood fully drains from your penis.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Around 12% of men get urinary tract infections (UTIs) each year, which are caused by:

• Bacteria

• Viruses

• Fungi

A UTI often involves the urethra, a tube that carries urine out of the body. Sexual activity can further irritate this inflamed area, leading to discomfort or pain. 

The friction during sex can intensify existing irritation and inflammation in the urethra, which can cause pain after intercourse.

Bacterial UTIs can spread to the urethra’s surrounding tissues. After sex, the movement and pressure can push the bacteria further up the urethra, worsening the infection and causing pain. 

A UTI can make the tissues in the penis more sensitive, and this can lead to lingering pain and discomfort following sexual activity.

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Post orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS)

This rare condition is characterized by symptoms that appear shortly after an orgasm and can last for days after sex. Up to one in every 100 men will be affected by POIS.

Aside from pain after sex, other symptoms of POIS include:

• Fatigue and exhaustion

• Muscle pain

• Cognitive issues like brain fog and concentration difficulties

• Flu-like symptoms

POIS triggers inflammation in various parts of the body, including the penis, which is why this condition may cause pain post-sex.

Due to the abovementioned muscle pain, men might have muscular pain in the pelvic area and the penis.

POIS can also cause heightened sensitivity or irritation in the nerves of the genital area. This can result in pain in the penis after sex as the nerves become more reactive after ejaculation. 

Allergic reactions to condoms or lubricants

Men may develop an allergic reaction to chemicals or materials in products like condoms, lubricants, and sex toys. This is known as irritant contact dermatitis, a type of allergic eczema.

Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, your symptoms may take a few days to several weeks to subside. 

Scar tissue from previous treatments

If you have scar tissue on or near your penis from medical treatments like circumcision or surgery to correct penile curvature, you may experience pain after having sex. 

Scar tissue, unlike normal skin or tissue, is less flexible and elastic. During sex, the penis undergoes significant stretching and movement. 

If scar tissue is present, it may not stretch as easily as the surrounding tissue, leading to pain and discomfort during or after sex.

Additionally, scar tissue can sometimes restrict normal blood flow in the affected area. This can cause discomfort and pain, particularly after the increased blood flow that occurs during an erection. 

This reduced circulation can lead to feelings of tightness or aching following intercourse.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a condition that is spread through sexual contact. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi can all cause STIs.

The following STIs may cause soreness after sex:

• Genital herpes 

• Chlamydia

• Gonorrhea

• Trichomoniasis

The only way to get rid of these STIs and reduce pain after sexual intercourse is to seek medical attention.

Peyronie's disease

This is a condition characterized by the development of fibrous scar tissue (or plaques) inside the penis, which can cause it to bend or curve during erections. 

A curved penis can lead to painful erections, erectile dysfunction (ED), and difficulties during sexual intercourse.

The scar tissue associated with Peyronie's disease is less flexible than the surrounding normal tissue. 

During sex, the bending or curvature of the penis can cause the scar tissue to stretch, which can lead to pain that persists after sexual activity.

Sexual intercourse can aggravate this condition by placing additional strain on the scarred tissue, leading to increased pain after sex.

Prostatitis

One out of every three men will experience prostatitis, and it’s the most common urinary tract problem for men younger than 50 years old.

Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland, a small gland located below the bladder in men that produces fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

The inflammation of the prostate can cause swelling and increased pressure on the surrounding tissues, including the urethra and the nerves in the pelvic area. 

This pressure can cause pain in the penis after ejaculation when the prostate and surrounding muscles contract.

Prostatitis can also irritate the nerves in the pelvic region, which are linked to the nerves that supply the penis. 

During sex, increased activity and nerve stimulation worsen this irritation, leading to pain after intercourse.

Phimosis

Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin of the penis can’t be fully retracted over the glans — the head — of the penis. 

Although this condition typically occurs in young children, it can persist or develop later in life.

During sexual activity, the inability to fully retract the foreskin can lead to increased friction between the foreskin and the glans — as well as between the foreskin and your partner’s body. This friction can cause irritation, discomfort, and pain.

Attempting to retract a tight foreskin during sex can lead to small tears or microtrauma to the foreskin. These tears can be painful and may lead to scarring, worsening the condition over time.

Yeast infection

A yeast infection, also known as candidal balanitis or candidiasis, is an infection of the penis caused by the overgrowth of a type of fungus called Candida. 

Around one in every 25 men will develop a yeast infection in their lifetime.

This infection causes inflammation of the glans and sometimes the foreskin. The inflammation heightens sensitivity, making the area more susceptible to pain during and after sex from the friction and pressure involved.

In men, a yeast infection can lead to dryness and small cracks in the skin of the penis. During sex, these cracks become irritated, leading to pain and discomfort after intercourse.

When to Seek Medical Treatment

There are several instances where men should see a healthcare provider if they are experiencing pain after sexual intercourse:

Persistent pain

If your pain persists for several hours or days after sex and doesn’t improve with rest or pain medication, it may indicate an underlying issue that requires medical attention.

Severe pain

If the pain is intense or debilitating, it could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a penile fracture, severe infection, or other acute medical conditions.

Signs of infection

If the pain you’re experiencing is accompanied by signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, discharge, or fever, you need to see a doctor, as these may be signs of an STI or a yeast infection.

Visible injury or trauma

If there are signs of physical injury, such as cuts, bruises, swelling, or a noticeable bend in your penis that wasn’t there before, medical evaluation is necessary to assess and treat the injury. 

Where Can I Learn More About Sexual Health?

At LifeMD, you can consult with a board-certified physician or nurse practitioner from the comfort of your home via our advanced telehealth platform.

A team of  healthcare professionals can provide expert medical advice, treatments for various conditions, and lab orders if necessary.

Make your online appointment today from the comfort of your home.

Dr. Anthony Puopolo

Dr. Puopolo holds a B.A. in Biology from Tufts University, M.A. in Biology from Boston University, and Doctor of Medicine from the Boston University School of Medicine. He also completed a Family Medicine and Psychiatry residency program in the U.S. Army.

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