Causes of Pelvic Pain and Painful Sex in People with Uteruses

Painful sex isn’t a topic that’s openly discussed, but it’s something many women experience at one point or another. It can even affect women as young as their 20s and 30s. All the pleasure you felt from sex suddenly gets replaced by a throbbing pain in your pelvic region. 

This may be an early sign of a disorder that causes pain in this area. Unfortunately, there’s quite a few of these. 

Don’t panic: this doesn’t mean sexual intercourse will never feel good again. But the first step towards finding a solution is identifying the cause. On that note, here are some of the most prevalent causes of pelvic pain in people with uteruses. But before we go into them, be sure to speak with a medical professional about any concerns you may have.

What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that form a sling or a hammock across the pelvis. In people with uteruses, the pelvic floor supports the uterus, bladder, bowel, and other pelvic organs so they can function correctly. 

If you start feeling pain in your pelvis – and it’s worse during sex – you may have a condition called Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, in which the pelvic floor becomes weak or unstable. Common side effects of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction include incontinence, constipation, difficulty urinating, lower back pain, and, yes, painful sexual intercourse. Since the pelvic floor closes off the base of the pelvis, the pain could be coming from the feeling of your partner’s penis coming into contact with muscles and tissue it wouldn’t normally touch. 

What Causes Pelvic Floor Dysfunction? 

Why has your pelvic floor suddenly stopped functioning correctly? Sometimes it just happens. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction can also be caused by specific medical condition such as a Pelvic Organ Prolapse, a Cystocele, or a Uterine Prolapse. 

Furthermore, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is a common side effect of pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy alters the structure of your pelvic region, even if you don’t deliver the baby vaginally. So, if sex feels painful post-pregnancy, it could be because your pelvic muscles haven’t fully recovered yet. 

Other Conditions That Can Make Sex Painful

If the pain you’re feeling during sex isn’t in your upper pelvis, you could have a medical condition related specifically to your vagina, or a different part of your reproductive system. 

One example is Vulvodynia, which is pain in or around the vulva lasting for three or more months. This causes burning, stinging, and throbbing so immense that it’s uncomfortable to sit down, or even wear certain types of clothing. 

Another possibility is Vaginismus, which presents similar symptoms as Vulvodynia due to a tightening of the vagina. In some cases, Vaginismus can even cause your vagina to close shut, taking sexual intercourse out of the question. 

Lastly, pelvic pain is a known side effect of Endometriosis, a common condition in which uterine-like tissue grows outside of your uterine wall, along with Adenomyosis, in which uterine-like tissue grows inside the muscular wall of the uterus. Both conditions can cause extreme cramps in the pelvic region and pain with ovulation, symptoms that can be exacerbated with sexual intercourse. 

What To Do If You Have Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain and painful sex are serious issues that can inhibit your overall quality of life. Thankfully, many people have found relief with pelvic floor physical therapy, which can keep your pelvic muscles working as effectively as they possibly can. But it’s important to speak with a medical professional to determine what your best course of action is.

It’s also important to be able to talk about your condition’s effect on your mental health and romantic relationships. Sex and intimacy therapy provides a safe space for you to express these fears and concerns so they don’t boil up inside of you and cause even more pain.

I can also help you explore different ways to experience sexual pleasure without penetration, and let’s just say there’s no shortage of options in this department. 

So, if you want to preserve your sex life while dealing with chronic pelvic pain, don’t wait – contact me for a free 15-minute consultation and we can start exploring solutions right away.