No matter how adventurous your sexual fantasies are, it may not always be a pleasant experience. Though having sex and getting a powerful orgasm and memorable climax is a dream come true for many, it doesn’t happen so easily all the time. Pain during sex often mars the enjoyment associated with the sexual act. Pain during sex occurs due to various reasons. In this article, we will discuss the causes of this pain and the natural home remedies you can try to get some relief. So, if you want to learn how to reduce pain during intercourse with home remedies, read on.
Main causes of pain during sex or intercourse [1]
Dyspareunia is the medical term used to describe painful intercourse. This type of thing occurs just before, during, or after the sexual act. One may feel persistent genital pain in the case of Dyspareunia. This condition hits 8% to 22% of women at some point in their lives. The causes of this problem are a combination of several factors, including endocrine, pathologic, emotional, and anatomic factors. [1]. Some of the common triggers and causes of during sex are:
- Vaginismus: Involuntary vaginal tensing due to Vaginismus can be very painful.
- Levator Spasm: This is a kind of pain that is generated from the spasms in the pelvic floor muscles. This pain can lead to painful intercourse.
- Sjögren’s syndrome: This condition is marked by a drop in vaginal lubrication and may cause vaginal atrophy. Due to the syndrome, sex might become very painful.
- Diabetes: Diabetes characterized by high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in a woman’s vagina. This can make sex extremely painful.
- Vaginal dryness: This problem is common among menopausal women. Also lack of sufficient arousal before the act may lead to vaginal dryness. Lack of vaginal lubrication during intercourse may cause pain due to friction at the time of penetration.
- Autoimmune diseases: Certain autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus may cause a drop in the libido and make sex a painful experience.
- Lichen Sclerosus: This condition may constrict the vaginal opening leading to painful intercourse.
- Endometriosis: This condition may adhere the vaginal canal to the rectum and may cause the surrounding tissues to get pulled or stretched during penetration, leading to painful sex.
What does the pain feel like?
The pain feels like a throbbing pain or a burning sensation that may occur either at the vaginal opening or quite deep in the pelvis. It may be a localized pain just in the vaginal area or may radiate to the entire genital region. [2]
15 best home remedies to address the issue
1. Use a lubricant
To manage the issue of vaginal dryness that is the cause of the pain you may use a lubricant. Water-based lubricants are the best in this regard. [3]
2. Use natural estrogen creams
If you are having pain due to menopause, try using natural estrogen creams to get relief. Such creams can smoothen the muscles of the vagina and keep the vaginal canal well-hydrated. [3]
3. Practice breathing exercises
The breathing pattern can have a strong impact on the pelvic floor muscles. Therefore, practicing breathing exercises by lying down can gently stretch and mobilize the muscles. With every inhalation and exhalation, your pelvic floor muscles get worked out, which can help release the tightness in the muscles and make intercourse less painful. [8]
4. Practice yoga
You may get relief from pain during sex by practicing a 5-minute yoga before intercourse. Yoga helps to relax your muscles at the back and pelvic floor. That way the pain can be managed. [4]
5. Trap the moisture
Using natural oils is one of the safest ‘how to reduce pain during intercourse home remedies. Natural oils and moisturizers will never irritate the skin in your vagina and can address the problem effectively. Baby oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and petroleum Jelly are some of the best products that may be used to trap moisture and improve elasticity within the vagina for reduced pain sensation. However, these products cannot be used along with condoms. [9]
6. Try acupuncture
The Chinese alternative therapy of acupuncture may work for certain people and treat the problem effectively. [5]
7. Meditation may help
Mental stress and anxiety may have a negative impact on your sexual life and may worsen conditions like Dyspareunia. Practicing relaxation techniques like meditation may yield positive results. [6]
8. Use Lodhra extracts
Use of the herb Lodhra can help manage the issue by enhancing the overall vaginal health of women. The herb can reduce inflammation in the vaginal area and ease the discomfort caused during penetration.
9. Use the Dashamoola vaginal wash
A decoction prepared from the Dashamoola or the Ayurvedic 10 roots may be used to wash the vagina. Inflammatory properties of the Dashamoola may soothe the irritated tissues of the vaginal canal and offer you relief from painful sex.
10. Take the help of vaginal dilators
The use of vaginal dilators made of silicone can relax the pelvic floor muscles, widen the constricted vagina and reduce tightness. This helps manage the pain during intercourse. [3]
11. Vaginal trigger point release wand
The trigger pain points in your vagina and pelvic floor muscles may consist of out-of-reach painful knots which could be the originating point of pain during sex. The use of tools like the vaginal trigger point release wand can identify those painful knots and apply mild pressure to alleviate the tightness. [7]
12. Take Haridra herbal extracts
Haridra or turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and detoxifier. Try taking turmeric supplements to get rid of inflammation. This might help you manage the pain during sex.
13. Use the extracts of Ashoka
Ashoka, another powerful Ayurvedic herb plays a vital role in protecting female sexual health. This herb may help in strengthening the uterine membranes and nourishing the vaginal tissues.
14. Ask your partner to change the condom brand
In some cases, the vaginal tissues may be sensitive to certain brands of condoms. That too might be a cause of the pain. Try switching to some other brand.
15. Experiment with the sex positions
Sex might be painful in a particular position and may not be in another. So, try switching to positions that exert minimum pressure and are less painful such as woman-on-top, etc.
FAQs
1. What are the causes of painful sex for men?
Like women, men may also experience pain during and after sex. The main causes are:
• Tear in the foreskin
• Overtly tight foreskin
• Testicular infection or injury
• Inflammation of the prostate gland
2. Is pain during sex normal?
Most women tend to have this pain at some point in their lives. But if it does not subside and happens during every intercourse, there might be some problem. Such persistent pain is not normal.
3. Should I continue having sex even if I am having pain?
Sex should be an enjoyable act. But if it is giving you pain and discomfort it is not worth it. In that case, you must not delay seeing a doctor. For the time being, what you can do is discontinue the act and other measures to satisfy yourself such as sensual massage, etc.
4. Does first-time sex hurt?
Yes, it may hurt. However, experiences may vary from person to person. In the case of vaginal penetration for the first time, there might be mild pain and bleeding as the female hymen may get stretched or ruptured.
5. What are the different types of Dyspareunia? [2]
Dyspareunia may be divided into two broad categories:
A. Primary and secondary
When the pain starts with the start of the intercourse it is called the primary pain.
When the pain starts after a certain period it is called secondary pain. In the case of secondary pain, you can experience a short period of painless sex soon after which the pain starts.
B. Superficial and deep
When the pain occurs just at the entrance of the vagina it is recognized as superficial pain.
When the pain occurs deep within, arising almost from the base of the pelvic floor muscles it is referred to as deep pain.
Conclusion
Pain during sex doesn’t just destroy the joy of the intimate act but may even hint at something more serious. Painful sex is not normal and so, you must recognize the gravity of the situation and reach out to your healthcare provider soon. These home remedies for pain during sex are effective but if you do not see results within a few days, you must give up your embarrassment and see the doctor without delay.
Disclaimer
This article has been written from a health and Wellness perspective and it’s not a substitute for medical advice.
References
- Evaluation and Treatment of Dyspareunia
- AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF DYSPAREUNIA – CASE STUDY
- Dyspareunia
- Yoga in Female Sexual Functions
- Successful Treatment of Dyspareunia with an Integrative Medicine Approach: A Case Report
- The effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention on pain perceptions in patients with chronic pelvic pain: A case series
- Safety and Effectiveness of an Internal Pelvic Myofascial Trigger Point Wand for Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
- Exercises for Breathing and Pelvic Floor Relaxation
- Dyspareunia in Women
