Causes of Painful Intercourse

4.04.2010 | By: S. M.

Approximately 15% of women and 5% of men feel pain during sex. Find the cause that bothers you and eliminate it!

Painful intercourse can be a result of solely the workings of the psyche. (Photoxpress)

Pain during intercourse can be caused due to mental or physical problems. The problem can sometimes be quite easily resolved as for example by changing the condom brand or with some foreplay. The situation is not always as simple, though.

When the man feels the pain

The pain that men experience during sex appears during erection or ejaculation. The pain is usually caused by an infection or unpleasant irritation. Pain during ejaculation can be caused by the urethra or prostate inflammation.

In men, the causes of painful intercourse are usually problems with urethra. (Photoxpress)

Pain during erection can be caused by sexually transmitted diseases such as genital herpes. Inflammation or tightening of the prepuce can be painful as well. If an infection causes the problem, antibiotics will almost surely eliminate it.

When the woman feels the pain

Women mostly experience pain during sex due to vaginal dryness, which can be felt by both partners at the beginning of penetration with the dryness subsiding later on. When the woman becomes aroused, the vaginal gland secretes the fluid which functions as a lubricant. If the secretion of the fluid is not sufficient, sex can be very unpleasant and even painful for her.

Abnormal secretion can appear due to insufficient or unsatisfying foreplay, or due to hormone imbalance. Problems with secretion can also be caused by antihistamine therapy.

Women can experience pain during intercourse due to several factors, one of them being the dryness of the vagina. (Photoxpress)

This problem can be solved by using an appropriate lubricant. It is recommended to use water-based lubricants instead of petroleum-based lubricants which damage the condoms and also cause vaginal infections.

If troubles with secretion appear in the period after menopause, the problem will be most efficiently treated with a hormone replacement therapy.