Stomach pain after sex isn’t usually cause for alarm, but it’s always best to consult with a medical professional. This is particularly true if you’re experiencing early symptoms of pregnancy, like breast tenderness, fatigue, nausea, and missed periods.
It could also be a sign of an infection, like pelvic inflammatory disease or a UTI. But, there are plenty of other benign causes for stomach pain after sex as well.
Causes
Often, stomach pain after sex is nothing to worry about and simply a normal part of sexual activity. But in other cases, the underlying cause may require medical attention, especially if it is persistent and/or severe. A common culprit is a reaction to the sperm itself. This can occur in 30 percent of women, Yale New Haven Hospital ob-gyn Mary Jane Minkin tells Women’s Health. In this case, it is often helpful to experiment with different positions and angles of penetration.
Other causes of post-sex pain include deep penetration or pelvic trauma (like a car accident). In these cases, the pain is caused by shock that is transmitted to the ligaments around the vagina and uterus. This type of pain, called dyspareunia, can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications and should not last very long.
Hormonal changes in the female body can also cause abdominal pain during sex. Depending on the time of year and your menstrual cycle, you might experience cramping that is triggered by intercourse or worsened by it.
If the pain persists and you are concerned, see your gynecologist for help. During your appointment, the doctor will perform an exam and ask questions about your symptoms. If needed, the doctor can order tests to determine the underlying cause of the stomach pain. Tests might include a urine sample and a pelvic sonogram to check out your uterus, tubes, ovaries, and your gut.
Symptoms
There are a few medical conditions that cause stomach pain after sex, including ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometriosis. These conditions are common in women, but they aren’t life-threatening and can usually be treated with medication. If you’re experiencing stomach pain after sex, make an appointment with your doctor to get checked out.
Cramping is common during sex, especially if you’re having penetrative vaginal sex or have a small cervix. However, stomach pain can also indicate that something more serious is going on. In some cases, the pain can be caused by a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. In other cases, the pain can be a sign of an underlying condition such as pelvic inflammatory disease or an ectopic pregnancy.
Other causes of stomach pain after sex include digestive disorders such as gastroparesis, which affects how the stomach empties its contents. It can also be a sign of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. Both of these conditions can cause bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain after sex.
Sometimes, the pain can be a sign of psychological trauma from sex or past relationships. Other times, the pain can be a sign of a more serious condition such as a pelvic infection or an ectopic pregnancy. In addition to treating the underlying condition, the doctor will likely prescribe medication for the pain.
Treatment
Generally, pain after sex doesn’t require a visit to the doctor, especially if it’s mild and goes away on its own. However, if it’s severe or persists, you should seek medical help to determine the cause of the pain. If the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge, you should see a gynecologist immediately.
The most common cause of stomach pain after sex is pelvic or abdominal cramping that occurs due to sexual activity. These cramps may be the result of a difficult or uncomfortable position, but can also be caused by certain health conditions. For example, abdominal cramping after sex could be a sign of endometriosis. This condition is a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it, causing pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse.
It’s also possible to experience lower abdominal pain after sex as a result of an infection, such as a pelvic inflammatory disease or urinary tract infection (UTI). In this case, the underlying condition must be treated before the abdominal pain stops occurring.
Prevention
Stomach pain after sex is common, but it can also be a sign of an infection or an underlying medical issue. If you’re not sure what’s causing your stomach pain, it’s always best to visit a medical professional (starting with your ob-gyn) to be safe and prevent any serious complications.
If your pain is due to a simple, benign cause such as period cramps, vaginal dryness or a difficult position during penetrative sex, over-the-counter medications such as antacids and simethicone may be helpful. However, it’s important to consult with your pharmacist or doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication, especially if you have a history of certain medical issues such as a low platelet count, diabetes, or hypertension.
Female-specific issues such as ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis are also possible causes of pain after sex. If you have a history of these conditions or if you have a pelvic ultrasound, your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
Women who are diagnosed with uterine fibroids (a condition where tissue that lines the inside of the uterus grows outside it) often experience abdominal pain after sex. If this is your case, your OB-GYN may advise surgery such as a hysterectomy or myomectomy or they may recommend a less invasive procedure called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). In addition to practicing good self-care, talk openly with your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing and seek help from support groups, counseling services or sex therapists.
See Also:
