Pain during sex often has different causes for men and women. For men, it is often a physical issue and should not be ignored for long. For women, the cause is usually physical, but psychological components can also play a role. This article delves deeper into these various causes.
Causes of Pain During Sex in Men
Sometimes, men have a tight foreskin which causes pain during sex because the foreskin does not easily move over the glans. This can be treated with a special cream that stretches the foreskin. Besides a tight foreskin, the frenulum can also be too short. This is the piece of skin connecting the foreskin to the glans. Furthermore, the glans can become irritated from excessive masturbation or frequent sex, leading to chafing.
An STD such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea can cause discomfort while urinating or an irritated feeling in the urethra or testicle. These STDs can also cause pain during sex, making ejaculation very painful. If pain during sex has suddenly occurred and other symptoms typical of an STD are present, we advise you to take an STD test.
So, causes for pain during sex in men are:
- Tight foreskin
- Short frenulum
- Irritated glans
- STD
Causes of Pain During Sex in Women
Pain during sex in women can have a physical cause, but it can also be caused by tension or stress. Many women experience pain during their first sexual encounter. Often, the vagina is still too dry, which can be due to tension. The tension causes the pelvic floor to be overly tight, making the vagina too narrow. This can be resolved by ensuring the vagina is sufficiently moist and that you are relaxed.
The vagina becomes more moist when you are sufficiently aroused, and arousal also makes the vagina elongate. This prevents the penis from touching the cervix during sex, which can cause a sensation in the lower abdomen. Moreover, an STD can cause pain during sex in women, and it can also lead to bleeding after sex.
Pain during sex in women thus occurs due to:
- First-time sex
- Increased pelvic floor tension
- Insufficient arousal/moisture
- Penis penetrating too deeply
- STD
Causes of Pain During Anal Sex
The anus does not become moist upon arousal, so make sure to use enough lubricant. Without it, it can feel rough and is more prone to damage.
Additionally, you must be able to relax the sphincter. If you are not, it can be painful to have anal sex. If you’ve had anal sex before but it suddenly becomes painful, this could be due to an STD.
Causes of pain during anal sex are therefore due to:
- Insufficient lubricant
- Too tense
- STD
