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Why Does My Stomach Hurt After Sex? Common Causes Explained
Wondering why your stomach hurts after sex? You’re not alone. Discover 17 common reasons for post-sex stomach pain and learn when to speak with a doctor.
Do you ever get your freak on and find your stomach hurts right after the deed? Stomach pain after sex is actually pretty common.
But the reason behind your pain can range from everyday bodily responses to actual medical problems.
Pain during or after sex — aka dyspareunia — is usually caused by deep penetration, muscle spasms, or digestive issues like gas and constipation.
But it can also be a sign of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or an underlying condition that affects the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, prostate, or rectum.
Should you be worried about stomach pain after sex?
Most of the time, pain after sex isn’t serious and will go away on its own. But it can still be a legit pain in the A (or V) even if it isn’t cause for concern.
There’s also a chance post-sex pain is a sign of an underlying condition. You should def talk with your doctor if you have:
BTW, pain related to sex is fairly common. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates about 75 percent of folks with a vagina have had painful sex. Studies also show it may affect up to 5 percent of peeps who have a penis.
What causes stomach pain after sex for anyone?
Deep penetration can cause cramps in your lower abdomen, anus, or vagina. The pain usually goes away if you switch positions and give your body time to chill. Also, anal can be painful if you don’t use lube or give your butt muscles enough time to relax.
FYI: A cervical infection or an inflamed prostate might make you more prone to penetration pain.
Sex can be super emotional. Past sexual trauma, anxiety, or even random everyday stress might manifest as discomfort during and after coitus.
These emotions can make your pelvic and abdominal muscles tense which can be uber uncomfortable. They may also trigger tummy troubles like gas, nausea, or diarrhea.
Orgasms are the bomb, but they can also cause a condition called dysorgasmia. The pelvic muscles contract when you come and that can trigger painful muscle spasms in the pelvis and lower abdomen.
Dysorgasmia might be more common in folks who have:
Penetration can push air into the vagina or anus. When the air gets stuck, you might get gas cramps and pain in your chest or abdomen. A good toot sesh can usually relieve the symptoms. If not, you might want to switch positions.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the pits. Not only can they make peeing a pain, but they can also lead to some hella uncomfortable sex. Here are some UTI signs to look out for:
STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause abdominal pain and pelvic tenderness during sex. You might also experience:
PSA: STIs can be asymptomatic. That’s why it’s 10/10 important you get tested on the reg.
Sex is a top-notch way to work up a sweat. But like any cardio, it can cause cramps or dehydration. The cramps usually go away in a few minutes, but strains can take longer to heal.
So, you have to be careful not to pull a muscle during more rigorous or acrobatic screw sessions.
Painful bladder syndrome (aka interstitial cystitis) is a chronic condition that can cause pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis. The discomfort might be more intense during or after sex. It can also cause:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can trigger a slew of poop probs like gas, diarrhea, bloating, and cramping.
More crappy news: IBS can also plug you up. Constipation can make penetration uber painful.
What causes lower stomach pain after sex if you have a vagina?
These cysts are sacs of fluid that form on the surface or inside of the ovaries. They usually disappear on their own and tend to be painless. But that’s not always the case. More severe cysts can cause lower abdominal pain and painful sex.
Up to 30 percent of folks who have a vagina have a tilted uterus — a condition in which the uterus leans backward instead of forward. The position can make it more likely for the uterus to be poked during penetrative sex. This can be uncomfortable or even painful.
Vaginismus can happen if the pelvic floor muscles involuntarily contract when something enters the vagina. It can happen during vaginal medical exams, penetrative sex, or when you try to insert a tampon.
Your doc might recommend seeing a sex therapist to help you manage your symptoms. They may also suggest relaxation techniques and pelvic floor exercises.
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus. They can cause pressure or pain in the pelvis during or after sex. You might also experience:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It’s often set off by STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia. PID symptoms can include:
Endometriosis is a condition that causes uterine tissue — which normally lines the inside of the womb — to grow outside the uterus.
This tissue can lead to pain in the pelvis, stomach, and lower back. This discomfort might get worse during or after penetration.
Health class recap: The fallopian tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. If a tube gets blocked by tissue or fluids it can cause pain or tenderness on that side of your pelvis. The discomfort might be worse during or after hanky panky.
Reasons your stomach hurts after sex if you have a penis
Prostatitis is the inflammation or swelling of the prostate gland. It affects between 10 to 15 percent of folks who have a prostate. In addition to painful penetration, symptoms can include:
Can you prevent stomach pain after sex?
Treating post-pain sex depends on what’s causing it. It can be an easy fix if the discomfort is due to a specific habit or sex position. But if there’s a physical or emotional cause, it might not go away on its own. Treatment options may include:
When to contact your doctor for treatment
You should talk with your doc if you have chronic cramps or discomfort after sex. You should also chat with them if you have symptoms like:
Your doc can review your symptoms and will prob do a physical examination. They may also run some tests like laparoscopy, an ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Bottom line
Generally, pain after sex isn’t serious and tends to go away on its own. But you should talk with your doctor if the pain is severe or chronic. You should also let them know if you have other symptoms like irregular periods, unusual or smelly penile or vaginal discharge, pain when you ejaculate, or burning urination.
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