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

Why Does My Vagina Hurt After Sex? Exploring Post-Sex Discomfort and Pain

Sex should be an enjoyable and intimate experience, a time to connect with your partner and feel good about your body. But for many women, this isn’t always the case.

Instead of pleasure, sexual activity can sometimes cause discomfort or post-intercourse pain, leaving you dreading those moments that should bring you joy.

Vaginal pain after sex is a common issue that affects around 34% of women globally, yet it’s often overlooked.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the main reasons why women experience pain after sex and when you should seek help for this. 

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11 Reasons Why You May Be Experiencing Pain After Sex

Below are some of the most common reasons women experience pain after sexual activity:

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

More than nine million women in the U.S. are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) each year. These conditions can be caused by: 

• Bacteria

• Viruses

• Fungi

• Parasites

Common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

STIs often cause inflammation of the vaginal tissues, cervix, or pelvic organs. This inflammation can make the vaginal area more sensitive and prone to pain after sex. 

For example, chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause cervicitis — inflammation of the cervix — that causes pain after intercourse.

Some STIs, such as genital herpes and syphilis, can cause sores, blisters, or ulcers in the vaginal area. 

Sexual activity can irritate these lesions, causing significant pain during or after sex.

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Bacterial or yeast infections

A yeast infection — also known as candidiasis — is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida. 

This infection causes inflammation of the vaginal tissue, making it more sensitive and prone to irritation. 

The friction from sexual activity can worsen this inflammation, leading to pain and discomfort afterwards.

The most common bacterial infection of the vagina is bacterial vaginosis (BV), which occurs when there is an imbalance in the natural bacteria found in the vagina.

Like yeast infections, BV can cause inflammation of the vaginal lining. This inflammation can increase the area’s sensitivity to friction and pressure during sexual intercourse, leading to lingering pain.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Around one million women are diagnosed with PID each year in the U.S.

PID causes severe inflammation of the reproductive organs, making the tissues in the pelvic area — including the vagina — highly sensitive and more prone to pain. 

During sex, the movements and pressure can aggravate inflamed tissues, leading to pain and discomfort after intercourse.

As PID progresses, it can form scar tissue and adhesions — bands of scar tissue that bind organs together. 

These adhesions can restrict the movement of the reproductive organs, causing pain during and after sex because these organs have been stretched or moved.

PID can lead to serious complications — including chronic pain and infertility — when left untreated. If you suspect you have this condition, seek medical attention.

Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness is a condition where the tissues of the vagina are not adequately lubricated, leading to discomfort, irritation, and sometimes pain.

While this condition can occur at any age, it’s particularly common during menopause as women go through hormonal changes at this stage of life.

This condition leads to a lack of natural lubrication in the vaginal opening, which increases friction during sexual intercourse. This friction can cause microtears in the vaginal lining, causing irritation and prolonged discomfort that lingers after sex.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a condition that occurs in various parts of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. 

Bacteria cause most UTIs and are particularly common in women due to their shorter urethra. In fact, more than half of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime.

A UTI often involves inflammation and irritation of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. During sex, movement and pressure can aggravate this inflammation, causing pain in the vaginal area and surrounding tissues after intercourse.

An infection can increase the sensitivity of pelvic tissues, causing discomfort even during gentle sexual activity.

Sexual intercourse can sometimes push bacteria further up into the urinary tract, worsening an existing UTI or triggering the symptoms of one. 

The increased bacterial activity and subsequent inflammation can cause pain in the lower abdomen and the vagina after sex.

Skin irritants

Scented vaginal products, spermicides, and latex condoms can all cause skin irritation that can result in pain after sex. 

Some products, like Nonoxynol-9 found in spermicide, can irritate the vagina, causing pain following sexual activity.

Allergic reactions

If you’ve used a condom during sex, you may have an allergic reaction to the latex in the product. This may result in itching, burning, and pain that worsens after sex. 

To avoid pain from a latex allergy, you can use polyurethane or natural condoms.

Endometriosis

Research has found that 11% of women in the U.S. have endometriosis, a chronic condition in which tissues similar to the uterus lining grow outside of this organ. 

This tissue can be found in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer surface of the uterus, and other organs within the pelvis.

The presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus can lead to chronic inflammation in the pelvic area.

During sex, the movements and pressure may irritate these inflamed tissues, leading to post-intercourse pain that may be felt in the vagina, lower abdomen, and deep within the pelvis.

Endometriosis is a common cause of deep dyspareunia, which is pain that occurs with deep penetration during sex. 

This pain is often felt in the vagina or lower abdomen and can be severe, leading to discomfort that persists after intercourse.

Penis size and shape

If you have a significantly smaller vaginal opening, sexual intercourse with a man with a larger or thicker penis can lead to pain after sex. 

This is because a bigger penis can cause small tears in your vaginal tissue from friction.

To prevent post-sex pain, avoid positions that involve significantly deep penetration. You may also want to incorporate extra lubrication during sexual intercourse. 

Openly discussing what causes discomfort with your partner can also help you avoid pain after sexual activity.

Tilted uterus

A tilted uterus — also known as a retroverted uterus or retroflexed uterus — is when a woman’s uterus tilts backwards instead of forward. 

When the uterus tilts backwards, the cervix is angled closer to the vaginal canal, making it easier for a man’s penis to push against it. This pressure on the pelvic organs can be felt intensely after sex.

The altered position of the uterus can change the angle at which the penis contacts the cervix and surrounding structures during sex. This can lead to a sensation of deep or sharp pain after sexual intercourse.

Due to the altered position, the cervix and the tissues around the uterus may be more sensitive. This can cause irritation or inflammation in these areas during sex, resulting in pain that lingers afterward.

Vaginismus

Vaginismus is a condition where the pelvic floor and vaginal muscles contract involuntarily, making penetration difficult or painful. 

One study found that, out of 160 women screened, 56% of them had vaginismus.

This condition is often the result of prior sexual abuse or fear of being hurt, and these muscle spasms can lead to significant pain during and after sex.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Vaginal Pain After Sex

If you are experiencing vaginal soreness after sex, you may need to seek medical treatment from a healthcare professional, particularly in the following situations:

Persistent or recurring pain

If you experience a sore vagina consistently after sex or if the pain lasts for several days after intercourse, you should consult a healthcare provider. 

Persistent or recurrent pain can indicate a condition that needs medical attention.

Severe pain

If your pain is severe or debilitating, it may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as an infection or PID. Immediate medical evaluation is necessary in these cases. 

Unusual symptoms

If you have deep pain after sex that is accompanied by symptoms such as foul-smelling discharge, itching, or burning, these could also be signs of an infection.

Bleeding after sex 

If you experience unexplained bleeding after sex, especially if it’s recurrent or heavy, it could indicate issues such as cervical polyps or severe infections. 

Where Can I Learn More About Sexual Health?

If you have any questions about your sexual health or are worried about the symptoms you’re experiencing, you can consult with a licensed medical professional from the comfort of your home through LifeMD.

We provide access to expert medical advice and care tailored to your health needs. Make your online appointment today to get started.

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