Penetrative sex can be uncomfortable, but sometimes it really hurts The medical term for this is dyspareunia , which refers to recurring or persistent pain before, during, or after sex, according to the Mayo Clinic. The pain might only occur upon entry, penetration with anything like a tampon , deep thrusting, or a combination of those — and the level of pain can range from mild to severe. Pain is a complex and multifaceted issue, so there isn't always one single explanation or treatment.
Why Does My Vagina Hurt During Sex? 11 Possible Culprits
13 Reasons Why Your Vagina Might Hurt During Sex
The following situations and conditions can contribute to or cause pain during intercourse or other forms of penetration. The first few times you have intercourse or experience vaginal penetration, you may feel a small to moderate amount of pain at the entrance to the vagina. There can be some bleeding or no bleeding at all—both are normal. The reasons for the pain are not always clear, but it is typically temporary.
From time to time I receive a query from a girlfriend wondering if her potential new partner is perhaps too large. One of the perks of having an obstetrician and gynecologist as a friend is you can ask everything — and get informed answers. I remind them that vaginas have been finely tuned by hundreds of thousands of years of evolution to stretch.
Getting down and dirty in the bedroom and having a great time, when suddenly things take an unexpectedly painful turn? When sex hurts it can be alarming. But it doesn't have to spell the end of your fun. From hormonal changes to illness and even emotional concerns, pain felt during or after sex, also known as dyspareunia, can occur for a variety of reasons. The good news is it's preventable and once you've figured out why you're experiencing discomfort, most women go on to enjoy pain-free fun in the bedroom!