Painful Sex
Painful sex is most often reported by women, although it occurs in people of all genders. Painful sex can be a result of health conditions, psychological and physical factors, or a combination of both. Painful sex can put stress on a person or relationship, especially if pain is ongoing or recurrent (also known as dyspareunia).
Ongoing or recurrent pain during sex can be caused by:
- scars in the vaginal entrance caused by an episiotomy, sexual assault, or adhesions under the foreskin of those who are uncircumcised;
- allergic reactions to latex in condoms or diaphragms;
- sensitivity to ingredients in spermicides or lubricants;
- skin conditions or infections including lichen sclerosus;
- inadequate lubrication;
- prostate problems that cause pain on ejaculation;
- Peyronie’s disease or other inflammations or scarring of the penis or internal male reproductive organs;
- vaginismus, a condition where the muscles around the vagina spontaneously tighten, which can make any touch or contact inside the vagina feel uncomfortable or painful;
- vulvodynia, which is characterized by long-term pain or discomfort around the vulva;
- pelvic pain or disorders including pelvic inflammatory disease;
- sexually transmitted and blood borne diseases including chlamydia and gonorrhea;
- thinning of the vaginal tissue (as a result of age, scarring, and hormonal changes);
- and endometriosis, which is a chronic disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows and implants outside of the uterus on other parts of the body.
For people with endometriosis, painful sex may be attributed to fibroids, ovarian cysts, pelvic adhesions, scar tissue, hormonal fluctuations, and inflammation. People with endometriosis may also experience vaginismus or vulvodynia, or experience vaginal bleeding during penetrative sex.
Individuals with a hymen (a thin piece of tissue located at the vaginal opening) may experience a small level of temporary pain due to the opening of the hymen the first time that they have sex. This may cause some pain or bleeding, though it does not happen to everyone.
If you experience pain during sex, be sure to tell your partner it hurts. If pain persists beyond the first few instances of sexual intercourse and inhibits your ability to enjoy sex, it is best to consult your doctor.
Endometriosis Resources
If you suspect that you may have endometriosis, you can learn more about it through the information on this website and the resources linked below. These resources are for informational purposes only and are not meant for self-diagnosis.
Websites:
The Endometriosis Network Canada
The Endo Educational Organization of Canada
Endo Black, Incorporated
Minocare
Ottawa Minimally Invasive Gynecology
Tame the Beast
World Health Organization’s Endometriosis Fact Sheet
Mme L’Ovary
The Endometriosis Resource Portal for People of Color
EndoFound’s LGBTQIA Resource Hub for Endo Patients
Multimedia:
Indigenous Self-Care and Medicine Wheel Teachings
Endometriosis
Understanding pain in less than 5 minutes, and what to do about it!
Care for the Gender Diverse Community: An Educational Video
The SOGC Women’s Health Podcast:
The Impact of Endometriosis and Fibroids on Black Communities
Endometriosis: A Patient’s Journey to Symptom Validation
What’s New in Endometriosis Diagnosis and Management in Canada (link coming soon)
Information and Tools:
Managing Your Pelvic Pain
Describing Pain to your Health Care Professional
Exercise and Endometriosis
Pain and Symptom Diary
Pelvic Pain Symptom Tracker
IUD Insertion: A Guide to Easing Discomfort
Endometriosis Resources for African, Caribbean, and Black Patients
The Endometriosis Resource Portal for People of Color
Endo Black, Incorporated
The Impact of Endometriosis and Fibroids on Black Communities
Endometriosis Resources for Indigenous Patients
Indigenous Self-Care and Medicine Wheel Teachings
Endometriosis Resources for Gender-Diverse Patients
EndoFound’s LGBTQIA Resource Hub for Endo Patients
Rainbow Health Ontario
Endometriosis: A Patient’s Journey to Symptom Validation