Although many women feel pain and discomfort when having intercourse, most keep it quiet out of shame and shame. Very few go to the gynecologist’s office. This can be many, from allergic reactions to sexually transmitted diseases, so we must visit the doctor for a complete examination.
Are you one of those who wonder why my vagina hurts when I have sex? In the following EcologíaVerde article, we will explain it to you.
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Why does my vagina hurt when I have sex
Good sex life is essential for the physical and mental health of the person. Nor should age impede to deprive us of this crucial factor in our life. For this reason, only love and pleasure should have a place in relationships, so if you feel pain or discomfort during penetration or at any other time, you should ask your gynecologist and solve it.
The causes for which you can have pain in the vagina when having intercourse are varied:
- Infections
- Allergies
- Vaginal dryness
- Lack of estrogens.
- Sexually transmitted diseases.
That is why below we will talk about each of them, and we will explain what their main symptoms are and how to approach their treatment.
What if it hurts when I have sex: vulvovaginitis
Vulvovaginitis is a fairly common condition in women of all ages. All women go through this situation at some point or another in life. As the name indicates, vulvovaginitis is the inflammation of the vagina, vulva, or both at the same time, causing symptoms among which we find pain in the vagina when having intercourse. Vulvovaginitis can be caused by different causes such as hormonal problems, skin irritation, or infections. However, in 90% of cases of vulvovaginitis, the reason is one of the following infections [1] :
Vaginal yeast infection
When the cause of vulvovaginitis is the proliferation of fungi, it is known as a vaginal yeast infection. The name comes from the fungus that grows in excess, the candida Albicans, causing symptoms such as the alteration of the vaginal discharge, which becomes thicker and white, itching, irritation, inflammation of the vulva or vagina, and, of course, pain when urinating and when you have intercourse.
Another way to identify the presence of vaginal yeast infection as a source of pain when having intercourse is the characteristic odor of this condition, which can range from fetid to onion odor. If you have any of these symptoms, you should visit your gynecologist for a physical examination and determine what treatment you should carry out to eliminate the infection and prevent it from relapsing.
Vaginosis bacteria
Suppose you wonder why my vagina hurts when I have intercourse. In that case, it is possible that it could be a case of bacterial vaginosis, another of the possible causes of this symptomatology. In this case, the infection is bacterial, caused by an imbalance of the genital flora. Other symptoms are more abundant, grayish or green discharge, a foul smell similar to that of fish, stinging, itching, and vaginal burning.
The causes of its appearance can be multiple but are usually due to:
- Administration of antibiotics.
- Have different sexual partners,
- Inadequate hygiene due to lack or excess.
- Use the IUD.
ETSY
Sexually transmitted diseases are other significant causes of the appearance of vulvovaginitis, and among them, the main thing is trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection caused by trichomonas that, among its symptoms, produces:
- Yellow, greenish, or gray vaginal discharge.
- Vaginal burning and inflammation.
- Burning when urinating.
- Itch.
Painful relationships in menopause: causes
The lack of estrogens caused by the onset of menopause causes different discomforts and discomforts in the life of women, also in the sexual sphere. In this sense, one of the most common is vaginal dryness and inflammation, which causes sensitivity, itching, discomfort, and pain during penetration. According to the Spanish Association for the Study of Menopause [2], about 50% of menopausal women suffer from this problem.
All this is known as genital atrophy. The vagina loses turgor and elasticity and shortening, narrowing, and making it challenging to distend, making sexual intercourse difficult and causing pain on penetration. Using vaginal lubricants is the best way you have at your disposal to subvert this dryness and improve pleasure during intimate relationships.
Stinging when having intercourse due to irritation
In addition to everything discussed so far, which has more to do with diseases and health conditions, it is also possible that pain in the vagina when having intercourse is due to different environmental agents, chemicals, fabrics, or hygiene products that irritate that area.
It is essential to know that the vagina has its pH, so certain products can be too aggressive, causing an imbalance in pH and irritation. Among the hygiene products that can cause us these alterations, we find:
- Vaginal perfumes.
- Vaginal deodorants.
- Soaps
The underwear can also be the cause of this vaginal irritation:
- Wearing underwear that is too tight.
- Wearing synthetic underwear can cause allergies.
- Because of the detergent with which we clean the lingerie.
If the pain occurs only during intercourse and specifically during penetration, it may be due to one of the products used during intercourse. The latex allergy may cause such symptoms since condoms are made with this material. If you think you may have a latex allergy, you should visit an allergist for tests. Something similar happens with spermicides or lubricants, which can cause irritation and even pain in the genital area depending on the woman.
Last but not least, we must pay maximum attention to our intimate hygiene. Whether due to excess or lack of it, many women develop infections and irritations in the personal area due to poor hygiene. You should always use neutral soaps, which do not damage the pH of the vagina. In the same way, you should not wash it too many times and never douche. An excess of cleaning in the vagina also alters the pH of the area, making it much easier to develop an infection.
I can’t have sex because it hurts a lot: mental causes.
Although it is often neglected, it is essential to consider how a woman’s mental state can influence her sexual performance, even turning into physical discomfort and pain. Although it is often not discussed due to shame or shame, vaginal pain when having intercourse, medically known as dyspareunia, is more common than is believed.
The pain can be different in each case. In some women, the pain is when penetrating. At first, in others, it prevents penetration completely, and in others, it is a constant discomfort throughout the relationship. What highlights this is that it is not something specific, but that this pain can last for decades. Many women explain this sensation with words such as that they feel that their penis does not fit, have a tiny vagina, or have a wall that prevents penetration.
This is due to an involuntary contraction of the vaginal wall, which prevents penetration and causes pain. Being unconscious, the woman cannot recognize which muscle is to relax it, and over time, that tension increases. The causes can be many and wildly different, but above all, we can divide them into:
- Bad sexual experiences.
- Fear of pregnancy or pain.
- Having had terrible sex education.
Be that as it may, these fears, taboos, and complexes make the woman involuntarily contract the vaginal muscles, causing pain at penetration.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why does my vagina hurt when I have sex, we recommend that you enter our Female Reproductive System category.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.