Why Does Sex Hurt? Exploring the Causes of Painful Intercourse and How to Find Relief

Admin Admin on January 7, 2025

Why Does Sex Hurt? Exploring the Causes of Painful Intercourse and How to Find Relief

Sex is often seen as an act of connection and pleasure, but for many people, it can be a source of discomfort or pain. This condition, known as dyspareunia, affects people of all genders and can be caused by a variety of physical, emotional, and psychological factors. If sex is painful for you, know that you’re not alone—and that solutions are available.

Common Causes of Pain with Sex

Pain during sex can be broadly categorized into physical and psychological causes, though the two are often interrelated.

1. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

The pelvic floor muscles play a key role in sexual function. If these muscles are too tight (hypertonic), weak, or uncoordinated, they may cause pain during penetration or deep thrusting. Conditions such as vaginismus (involuntary muscle spasms) and pelvic floor myalgia are common contributors.

2. Hormonal Changes

Low estrogen levels, often seen during menopause, postpartum, or while using certain hormonal contraceptives, can lead to vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal walls (vaginal atrophy). These changes can make penetration uncomfortable or painful.

3. Infections and Inflammation

  • Yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or sexually transmitted infections can cause irritation, swelling, and discomfort.
  • Conditions like vulvodynia (chronic pain in the vulva) or vestibulodynia (pain at the vaginal opening) can result in burning or stinging sensations during sex.

4. Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus, often causing severe pelvic pain. Deep pain during intercourse, particularly with deep penetration, is a hallmark symptom.

5. Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

Also known as painful bladder syndrome, IC can cause pelvic discomfort and pain during sex due to bladder irritation.

6. Scarring and Trauma

Scar tissue from surgeries (e.g., cesarean sections, hysterectomies), childbirth tears, or pelvic injuries can reduce flexibility in the pelvic area, leading to pain during sexual activity.

7. Psychological and Emotional Factors

Emotions significantly influence the body’s response to sexual activity. Anxiety, past trauma, fear of pain, or relationship stress can lead to tension in the pelvic muscles, exacerbating pain. Psychological factors may also reduce arousal and lubrication, further contributing to discomfort.

8. Other Medical Conditions

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or chronic constipation may increase pelvic floor tension and discomfort.
  • Neurological conditions like pudendal neuralgia can cause pain or burning sensations in the pelvic region.

Seeking Help for Painful Sex

It’s essential to address pain during sex, as it can affect emotional well-being, relationships, and quality of life. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Consult a Healthcare Provider

A gynecologist, urologist, or primary care physician can help diagnose underlying medical conditions contributing to pain.

2. Pelvic Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapists specialize in assessing and treating issues related to pelvic floor muscles, scar tissue, and posture that may be causing pain. Treatment often includes:

  • Manual therapy to release muscle tension.
  • Exercises to improve strength and coordination.
  • Education on relaxation and breathing techniques.

3. Lubrication and Moisturizers

Using high-quality lubricants during sex or vaginal moisturizers for daily use can help reduce friction and dryness.

4. Counseling or Therapy

If emotional or psychological factors play a role, therapy can help address past trauma, anxiety, or relational concerns. Sex therapists or counselors trained in intimacy issues can be particularly helpful.

5. Medical Treatments

Depending on the cause, treatments may include hormonal therapies, medications for infections or inflammation, or procedures to address specific conditions like endometriosis.

Takeaway

Pain during sex is not something you have to endure or ignore. While it may feel isolating, it’s a common issue with many possible causes and treatments. Understanding your body and seeking professional support are crucial first steps in finding relief and reclaiming intimacy.

If you’re experiencing pain with sex, reach out to a trusted healthcare provider or pelvic physical therapist. You deserve a fulfilling and pain-free sex life, and help is available.

Need Guidance?
If pain during sex is affecting your life, contact our pelvic physical therapists to assess, diagnose and treat your sexual health.

Sex shouldn’t hurt! Start treatment today with one of our compassionate and skilled pelvic floor therapists. Book online here!

Learn more about how pelvic floor physical therapy works and what it can treat here

The Truth about Kegels

Admin Admin on January 7, 2025

The Truth about Kegels

Kegels have long been touted as the go-to exercise for pelvic floor health, especially for people dealing with issues like incontinence or postpartum recovery. While they can help isolate and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, Kegels alone often fall short of delivering true functional benefits.

Why? Because our bodies don’t operate in isolation. For your pelvic floor to function optimally, it needs to work in harmony with your entire core and adapt to the dynamic movements of daily life. Without this integration, Kegels can become an exercise in futility.

The Problem with Kegels

  1. Lack of Functional Application:
    Kegels focus on contracting and releasing the pelvic floor muscles, but this movement rarely mirrors real-life demands. Your pelvic floor isn’t just called upon when you’re sitting still; it’s working when you lift, squat, walk, and breathe.
  2. Over-Isolation of Muscles:
    By isolating the pelvic floor without addressing its relationship with surrounding muscles (like the diaphragm, deep core, and glutes), you risk creating imbalances. Overly tight or weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to dysfunction, just like any other muscle in the body.
  3. Failure to Address Coordination:
    The pelvic floor works as part of a team. It should naturally contract and relax in response to movement and changes in intra-abdominal pressure (like when you sneeze or lift something heavy). Kegels don’t train this coordination, which is essential for functional pelvic health.

The Functional Alternative

To truly improve pelvic floor function, exercises must integrate the pelvic floor into whole-body movements. Here’s how:

  1. Link the Pelvic Floor to Breathing:
    Your pelvic floor and diaphragm are closely connected. Practicing diaphragmatic breathing can help you engage the pelvic floor naturally during inhalation and exhalation, training it to respond to pressure changes.
  2. Incorporate Functional Movements:
    Exercises like squats, lunges, and deadlifts—when performed with proper alignment and core engagement—naturally involve the pelvic floor. These moves train the pelvic floor to support your body during the activities you perform daily.
  3. Focus on Stability and Coordination:
    Exercises like bird dogs, bridges, and planks can help integrate the pelvic floor into larger movement patterns, ensuring it works cohesively with other muscles.

Final Thoughts

Kegels aren’t inherently bad—they’re just not the whole story. Isolating the pelvic floor can be a useful first step for some, especially in early stages of rehab. But if you want lasting results and improved function, you need to think bigger.

Train your pelvic floor to move and respond as part of a coordinated system, and you’ll not only strengthen this critical muscle group but also improve your overall movement and quality of life.

Say goodbye to endless Kegels and hello to functional movement for true pelvic floor health!

Book online today to learn all about the pelvic floor’s connection to the rest of your body

Your care and wellbeing matters. Learn more about Pelvic Floor care at BPHAC here!