Pain during sex is a quite unpleasant issue that affects many women all over the world. In most cases, painful sensations during intercourse are caused by insufficient arousal, uncomfortable pose, or too deep penetration. However, there are certain health issues that can also affect your sex life. In this article, we have gathered eight gynecological conditions that can make your sex painful.
1. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus starts to grow on pelvic organs. That’s why women with endometriosis can experience pain during sex, lower back pain, severe periods, and other unpleasant symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition but timely and accurate endometriosis treatment can help manage your condition and ease its symptoms.
2. Yeast infection
Yeast infection is a condition that occurs when the number of Candida fungi that naturally inhabit your vagina starts to increase dramatically. The most common symptoms of yeast infection include:
- Thick white vaginal discharge
- Watery discharge
- Vaginal itching, redness, and swelling
- Pain and discomfort during sex
- Burning sensations during urination
Fortunately, yeast infection can be easily treated with the help of antifungal medications. However, it is better to consult your gynecologist before treatment.
3. Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that can be passed through unprotected sex. In some women, STIs can develop asymptomatically, while in others, they can cause severe symptoms like:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
- Vaginal itching
- Rases, sores, and bums in the genital area
- Pain during sex
- Pain during urination
- Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting)
If you have noticed at least some of the aforementioned symptoms or have had unprotected sex recently, it is better to make an appointment with your gynecologist as soon as possible.
4. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious condition that occurs when untreated vaginal infection like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or bacterial vaginosis causes inflammation in pelvic organs. PID can cause severe pelvic pain, abnormal discharge fever, pain during sex, and other symptoms. You should also know that PID can lead to infertility since the inflammation can promote the development of scars and adhesions.
5. Vaginismus
Vaginismus is a condition in which a woman experiences an involuntary muscle spasm that interferes with penetration into the vagina. Women with vaginismus often can’t have sex because of severe pain and discomfort. Additionally, vaginismus can cause pain when a woman inserts a tampon or undergoes a pelvic exam. Kegel exercises and psychotherapy can help ease the symptoms of this condition.
6. Vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness is a decrease in natural lubrication in women that results in painful sensations during sex. In most cases, this condition affects menopausal and post-menopausal women since their estrogen levels are low. But young women with decreased estrogen production can also experience vaginal dryness. You can use lubricants to make sex less painful or undergo hormonal treatment to increase estrogen production.
7. Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop on the uterine walls. When they grow near the cervix or protrude through the cervix into the vagina, a woman may experience pain and spotting (light vaginal bleeding) during sex. Other symptoms of uterine fibroids include pelvic pain, lower back pain, and fertility issues. Fortunately, your gynecologist can easily remove fibroids.
8. Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a quite serious condition that occurs when the cells of the cervix change and overgrow. The main problem is that cervical cancer can develop without any severe symptoms. When it progresses, it can cause pain during sex, prolonged periods, spotting, and abnormal vaginal discharge. If you have noticed at least some of these symptoms, you should visit a gynecologist as soon as possible.