Sore Vaginal Opening After Sex

Sore Vaginal Opening After Sex

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From a lack of lubrication to fluctuating hormones, there's plenty of reasons
Sex should always be mutually pleasurable, safe, enjoyable and should never hurt. At the same time, there are lots of reasons why you might get a sore vagina, or a sore vulva, after the act.
Of course, there’s the obvious one – you were a little too rigorous – but if getting down is causing you pain, and it’s not completely clear why, it’s something that shouldn’t be ignored.
Note: if you are having recurrent issues after sex, then it's advisable to check in with your GP, to see what might be going on. You should also never be pressured into any form of sexual activity which you are worried will cause you pain.
There are lots of reasons why you might feel pain after sex. 'Most of the time women experience soreness post-sex due to friction,' says GP Dr Jane Leonard . 'However, if you have a pre-existing skin problem, the soreness can be much worse.'
Painful intercourse is known as dyspareunia. It’s important to understand when and where you’re feeling pain. Is it during or after sex? Do you have a sore vagina after sex, or is the pain deep, internal pelvic pain?
From a lack of lubrication to fluctuating hormones and even latex allergies: we’ve spoken to the experts and rounded up the most common reasons why you might get a sore vagina after sex.
'Pain in or around the vagina could be caused by an infection,' suggests Dr Leonard. This could be something like thrush, or it could be a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or genital herpes.
If you're experiencing pain during or after sex, it's always a good idea to visit your local sexual health clinic and ask for a full screening.
Changing hormone levels – which could be down to the menopause, perimenopause or even pregnancy – could be making your vagina dry, meaning there’s not enough lubrication during sex. This dryness could lead to some pain and soreness both during and after sex. The solution? Lots of lube. If you need help with the symptoms of perimenopause more widely, head to your GP, who can help with medication.
Similarly to hormone changes, if you’re not feeling 'in the mood', you might not be producing enough lubrication – leaving your vagina dry. This can cause sex to become painful, and leave you with friction sores afterwards. Don't force sex. If you're not feeling it, do not feel any pressure to go ahead. However, if you're feeling dry but do want to have sex, using lube is key.
'Back pain after sex can be caused by deep penetration but it can also be a sign of a ascending urine infection,' Dr Leonard tells us. If you feel unwell, have a fever, pain on passing urine, blood in your urine or increased frequency of passing urine, it's best to see your doctor.
If you’re itchy after sex , and have ruled out the chances of infection, you could be allergic to either the condom or lubrication you’re using. Latex allergies are more common than you think, and your GP can test you for allergies and suggest other forms of contraception that might be better suited to you.
'If you experience bleeding or pelvic pain, you should visit your doctor and arrange a sexual health screening' says Dr Leonard.
Pain felt inside the pelvis could be down to a number of medical conditions from pelvic inflammatory disease to endometriosis or fibroids . If you’re experiencing lower abdominal pain after sex, cramps after sex or bleeding after sex , visit your GP.
More vigorous sex can feel great at the time – but it can also leave you feeling pretty sore afterwards. If your partner is particularly well endowed they could also be hitting against your cervix, causing pain.
Epsom salts help to heal the body, soothe discomfort and reduce inflammation. Sprinkle a cup full into your bath and soak. Natural Epsom salts are best – be careful to steer clear from anything fragranced, as these could mess with your vaginal pH and irritate the area more.
To ease pain, applying a cold compress to your groin can help reduce inflammation and swelling. Don’t apply ice directly to your vulva though, as this can lead to more issues.
Using a lubrication gel during sex is definitely a good idea if you’re experiencing pain due to friction, but popping some on your vulva after sex can also help ease discomfort. Look for a water-based lube with a cooling and soothing effect.
Cotton is more breathable than other synthetic fabrics, so if your discomfort is caused by an infection, wearing cotton underwear can help whilst you heal.

Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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After sexual activity, your vagina feels sore. The pain lasts at least a few hours or even until the next day. What could be going on?

Post-sexual activity soreness is not uncommon, especially in younger people and with newer partners, said Donnica Moore, MD , OB-GYN and president of Sapphire Women's Health Group in New Jersey.

Yeast infections and some STIs are known to cause stinging and burning, Dr. Moore said, and those symptoms will likely feel worse after intercourse. If the soreness lasts longer than 24 hours, it's a good idea to see your healthcare provider to check for an infection.

But if the discomfort is not accompanied by red flags such as bleeding or unusual discharge, you could figure out the cause on your own. Read through this checklist of possible reasons for soreness after sex, plus the steps to take to keep it from happening again.

Chafing caused by a lack of lubrication during intercourse is the number one cause of post-sex soreness, Dr. Moore said. "Sometimes we get carried away in the heat of the moment and we don't always realize how much friction there may have been," Dr. Moore said . Even if you know you're in the mood, your body might need a little more time to catch up—and there's nothing weird or abnormal about that.

So, before intercourse, make sure to engage in lots of foreplay, enough so that your vagina becomes sufficiently lubricated. How wet you get can be influenced by pregnancy , breastfeeding, and even where you are in your menstrual cycle. Birth control and allergy medications can also contribute to vaginal dryness.

Don't hesitate to use a store-bought lubricant . And if you use condoms, keep the lubricated kind on hand.

In experimenting with different moves and positions, it's very possible that you end up in a position that puts extra pressure on your vagina or vulva, Dr. Moore said. That can leave you feeling sore afterward.

While every person's body is different, Dr. Moore suggested that having sex from behind could create that extra pressure and friction at the vaginal entrance. Always let your partner know if they're going too fast or penetrating you at an angle that doesn't quite work for your body.

Some people experience an allergic reaction to sex-related products , such as latex or flavored condoms, scented or flavored lubricants, and spermicides. If you suspect an allergy from one of these items, immediately rinse your vagina to cleanse away the allergens and see if that helps, suggested Mary Jane Minkin, MD , clinical professor and OB-GYN at Yale School of Medicine. Then stop using the product that you think is triggering your symptoms, Dr. Minkin advised.

In very rare cases, post-sex soreness could be due to a Bartholin's cyst—a benign, fluid-filled growth that blocks one of the two Bartholin's glands situated on either side of the vagina. About 2% of "women develop a Bartholin's duct cyst or gland abscess at some time in life," according to the American Academy of Family Physicians .

The twin Bartholin's glands secrete fluid to help lubricate the vagina before intercourse. If a Bartholin's cyst is the culprit, you'd only feel a burning sensation on one side, and you might see a small, ball-shaped growth just inside the vaginal opening.

"If a Bartholin's gland gets blocked, there can be swelling," Dr. Moore said. "But it would be unlikely that would happen uniformly on both sides."

If you think you have a Bartholin's cyst, you can sit in a warm tub, which could help drain the fluid, Dr. Minkin recommended. If that doesn't work, check in with your OB-GYN, who can surgically drain the cyst.

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Shape.com Health and Wellness Mental Health Relationships Why You Have a Sore Vagina After Sex — and What to Do About It
All sorts of sex acts (not just P-in-V!) can leave you with a sore vagina after sex. Here's why, when to worry, and what you can do to ease the hurt.
By Gabrielle Kassel July 22, 2021
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Why You Have a Sore Vagina After Sex — and What to Do About It
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Why You Have a Sore Vagina After Sex — and What to Do About It
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Snuggles, snacks, a shower. These are the things we expect to experience after sex. Sadly, for some people with vaginas, those delicacies are sometimes replaced or accompanied by something a lot less comfortable: a sore vulva and/or sore vagina.
"Vaginal soreness is quite common after sex," says somatic sex expert, explains Kiana Reeves sex and community educator with Foria , a company that creates products intended to reduce pain and increase pleasure during sex. "But not all soreness is okay, some soreness is a sign that something has gone wrong."
A sore vagina after sex that results from a sexperiment gone awry (think: fisting) or from consensual, risk-aware rough sex gone very right (think: doggy style for days ) is totally fine. "A one-off instance of soreness or pain after sex is not a cause for alarm," says Heather Jeffcoat , D.P.T., doctor of physical therapy specializing in sexual dysfunction and incontinence and author of Sex Without Pain: A Self-Treatment Guide to the Sex Life You Deserve .
However, frequent vaginal soreness after sex suggests that something is not quite right. If you regularly find yourself keeled over, gripping your lower belly or crotch, or hurting post-play, you may want to chat with a health care provider. "Any frequent, raw, or burning soreness, as well as soreness accompanied by other symptoms such as bleeding, discolored discharge, or pain while peeing needs to be addressed," says Reeves. (Read: 8 Reasons You Might Experience Pain After Sex )
Curious to learn some of the common reasons why you might have a sore vagina after sex? Plus, what should you do to stop the pain in its tracks, short- and long-term? Read this for a good place to start.
If it's the first time you've explored vaginal penetration, it's possible that the soreness is from the breakage of a small swath of tissue that covers part of the vaginal canal, known as the hymen, tearing, according to Felice Gersh, M.D. , author of PCOS SOS: A Gynecologist's Lifeline to Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones and Happiness . While many people's hymens (naturally) break or tear prior to the first time they have sex (during activities including horseback riding, biking, exercising, using tampons, or masturbating), that's not always the case. And for those with intact hymens that break during penetrative play, the experience can be uncomfortable in the moment and also lead to soreness for a few hours afterward, according to Dr. Gersh. (Related: What Is a Hymen and What Does a Hymen Breaking Actually Mean? )
A super common reason you may have a sore vagina after sex is actually that the sex triggered symptoms of an infection you already had, according to Dr. Gersh. "If someone has a yeast infection , bacterial vaginosis , trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia , the vaginal tissues are already inflamed, even if the person wasn't experiencing any symptoms," she says. "The rubbing of those already-inflamed tissues during sex can result in a feeling or rawness, soreness, irritation, or pain after sex," she says. Luckily, all five infections can be cured within a few days with proper treatment.
Another common reason you might have a sore vagina after sex is that you have a sensitivity or allergy to one of the ingredients in the lube, sex toys, or barriers (ex: dental dams ) you used. "Latex allergy is well-documented, but that's not the only kind of allergy or sensitivity that can come into play here," says Dr. Gersh. "It's possible to be allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients in the lube coating the condoms or the lube you added."
In the case of an allergy, the soreness is typically accompanied by itchiness, burning, hives, and swelling. While extremely rare, allergies to semen (known medically as seminal plasma hypersensitivity) create many of the same aforementioned symptoms. (And FYI, noticing some swelling in your vulva after sex is totally normal, considering those tissues become flooded with blood when you're aroused .)
Rather than being dermal (skin-related) or structural, the reason you have a sore vagina after sex may be muscular.
Background: Everyone has a sling of muscles that run hip-to-hip, bellybutton-to-bum, known as the pelvic floor muscles. When you orgasm, these muscles contract and relax super fast over and over again. If your orgasm is especially long, or you orgasm more than once (fun!) it's possible for these muscles to be a lil sore following sex.
Further, some people have over-reactive or non-relaxing pelvic floor muscles , which essentially means their pelvic floor muscles are always or almost always in a contracted position. (This is the pelvic floor equivalent to walking around with your arm flexed "💪" all the time). For these folks, "the forced stretch of these muscles that occurs during penetration can also lead to soreness," says Dr. Jeffcoat. For someone with one of these underlying pelvic floor conditions, going from zero to penetrative sex is equivalent to an immobile person trying to do a split and stretching too much too soon. "Your muscles will be quite sore after," she says. (Related: What a Pelvic Floor Therapist Wants You to Know About Vaginal Dilators )
Someone with weak or non-reactive pelvic floor muscles can also experience muscular soreness following sex. As Jeffcoat puts it, "Pelvic floor muscles are skeletal or voluntary muscles, just like the other muscles we train at the gym." Meaning, they aren't exempt from these types of soreness or injuries. However, if the post-sex pain you're experiencing feels muscular and you also experience other common symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction (such as urinary issues, lower back pain , constipation , pelvic pressure), she recommends connecting with a pelvic floor therapist.
This might just be the number one reason you might experience a sore vagina after sex. Anytime lubrication levels are low, friction levels can be high. And when friction levels go up, so do soreness levels. Sure, the vaginal canal produces its own arousal fluid, but that's not always enough (and there's nothing wrong with that!). Body-made lubricant levels can vary because of water intake, alcohol intake, substance use, activity level, mental and physical health status, and so much more.
Among those, "low estrogen can also be to blame for soreness in the vaginal canal," adds Dr. Jeffc
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