4 reasons why sex may hurt and what to do

“Pain during sex is one of the most common things patients ask about, but most of the time, it’s caused by something temporary that can be treated,” says , MD, an OB/GYN in Westchester, New York and coauthor of . In fact, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that 75% of women experience painful sex at some point in their lives. Reports at .
Back to why we’re here. According to these experts, here are some of the reasons why you’re having that problem, and also solutions to these problems.
This is the burning sensation that’s very uncomfortable. This irritation that is keeping you from enjoy sex is likely as a result of a bad reaction to a personal care product that you’re using that has come in contact with your vulva.”Dyes, perfumes, and other additives in these products can trigger vaginitis, or inflammation of the skin around the vagina,” says . One cure for it is to leave the area alone for 24 to 48 hours, then examine closely the care products that you recently adopted, change from items with chemical additives to all-natural ones, advised.
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Discharge can be a tip-off that an infection or bacterial vaginiosis, which can be a gray colored watery discharge with a fishy odour or STDs such as gonorrhea or chlamydia that often has zero signs, and can run the risk of giving you pelvic pain that is causing the pain. The tricky part: figuring out which infection is putting the brakes on your sex life. If the discharge is white, thick, and super itchy, it’s probably a yeast infection, an overgrowth of the yeast that normally colonize the vagina, says . Check in with your doctor, advises Dr. Dweck. Though an over-the-counter antifungal cream can cure a yeast infection, it’s best to rule out something more serious right away. Your doc will prescribe an antibiotic for whatever ails you.
 
This can be caused by , if penetration has gone from painful to downright impossible because your vagina is shut tight, it may signal a little-known condition called vaginismus, says , MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at . Characterized by painful, involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles, the cause is a mystery, though it may be the result of past trauma, like sexual abuse. “It’s like your vagina has put up a ‘do not enter’ sign,” adds . Ask your doctor specifically about vaginismus—otherwise, she might just blow it off as anxiety or stress. That would be a shame, because vaginismus is real, and it’s definitely treatable. “We teach women exercises that help them relax the pelvic floor muscles, which can help a great deal,” says .
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Vaginal dryness is one of the most common reasons why women don’t enjoy sex, it can be caused by stress, drugs or hormones. Some drugs like antihistamines can dry out the mucus membranes”It can also be the result of the normal drop in estrogen levels after childbirth, during breastfeeding, or as you approach perimenopause and menopause,” says. To deal with this, get this lubricated by using a silicone-based motion lotion to supplement the natural lubrication until stress goes down or estrogen goes back up.
If it’s perimenopause- or menopause-related, the estrogen dip may be permanent. But dryness doesn’t have to be, so ask your doctor about options, like using a prescription vaginal estrogen cream.