Sexual Health

Have Pain When Having Intercourse

Most women will suffer from some discomfort during intercourse at some stage of their life. Fortunately, for most it is usually temporary and for a specific reason. However, for some, it can become a regular feature of their sex life.

If you have been suffering from painful intercourse for sometime, it is crucial that you check with doctor that you do not have any underlying condition such as ovarian cyst, endometriosis or other pelvic conditions.

Sexual Arousal

Lack of sexual arousal is probably the most common cause of painful intercourse. Many women find that they get caught in a vicious cycle. The pain during intercourse or fear of pain stop them being more sexually aroused and the lack of arousal causes the pain to persist and the cycle continues.

Under normal circumstances, during arousal, the vaginal expends in length and width. The top of vaginal balloons out to allow the cervix to move into. At the same time, the vagina is lubricated with secretion to reduce friction. It is getting ready for penetrative sex.

Ways To Increase Arousal

  • Prepare your mood – your mind and your heart and you body need to be in harmony to create a mood for sex. If you have a problem in the relationship, sort it out before you get in bed for sex.
  • Relax – you need to relax your mind and body. The more tense you are, the more pain it creates. This is the most important thing to do. Try deep breathing technique or relaxation tapes or have a massage.
  • Enjoy being sensual before sexual – take time together to focus on the intimacy and enjoy the pleasurable sensation of touching, hugging, kissing before moving on to sexual touching.
  • Try to fantasize – remove all the stress from work, home, children or other distractions; try to get yourselves in the mood by fantasizing about your favorite sexual encounter.
  • Stimulate your sympathetic nervous system – exercise, watch a scary movie or anything that will increase your heart rate. Research suggests that 15-30 minutes after mild exercise, your body is more sexually responsive.
  • Lubricate – have a tube of water base lubricant (like K-Y jelly) by the bedside. It is hard to stimulate a dry clitoris – use some lube to speed up the process.

Common Physical Problems Causing Painful Intercourse

  • After child birth – a common cause of pain especially after an episiotomy
  • Menopause – vaginal dryness and thinning of vagina can easily causing irritation. This can be easily dealt with by estrogen cream prescribed by doctor
  • Infection and irritations – There are a number of infections that can cause discomfort. These include bladder infection, thrush, vaginitis, genital warts, etc. Once the underlying condition has been diagnosed, appropriate treatment can cure the problem or alleviate the symptoms.
  • Retroverted (tilted) uterus – This is a natural and common condition. The pain during intercourse can be avoided by using different position.
  • Pelvic gynecological disorders – common gynecological disorders that may cause painful intercourse include endometriosis, uterine prolapse, ovarian cysts, fibroid and pelvic inflammatory disease.

At HK Sexual Health Centre, we have certified sex therapist and doctor who can help you to work out the underlying sexual problems and return to an active sex life. For an appointment, please call (852) 3162-0001.