Having sex is supposed to be one of the greatest feelings in the world. Nevertheless, there are countless women out there who experience pain during penetrative sex at some point during their lives. Although most of us do not like to talk about it, the numbers don’t lie. According to recent studies, approximately 20% of all women have experienced painful sex in their lives. But, because we do not like to openly talk about it, this problem often stays unnoticed. As a result, many of us do not know whether the pain they feel is normal, or actually a serious problem.

If you’re experiencing pain during sex, the best way to find out what’s wrong is, of course, by paying a visit to a gynecologist. Sure, we understand that it might feel embarrassing and that we rather try to diagnose ourselves with the help of the internet. However, the best and fastest way to get rid of your (potential) problem truly is to visit a professional. In most cases, there is a simple and quick solution to which your doctor can introduce you.

Below, Luvkis has listed down some of the most common causes of painful intercourse. So if you’re freaking out about a painful vagina, check out this list first. After that, head over to your doctor and get some professional help!

Sexual Positioning

In some cases, the cause of uncomfortable sex and vaginal pain can be as simple as using a wrong sex position. For some people, mobility issues make some position painful without having an adjustment such as a pillow at hand. For others, a certain position simply does not suit their anatomy. Some people, for example, are born with a tilted cervix. For them, deep thrusting feels uncomfortable. Remember, everybody has a different body and there are plenty of physical issues that may make a certain position feel uncomfortable to some people. If you experience that having sex hurts when you do it in a certain way, simply try to change position and see whether this helps. Remember, not every type of sexual pain directly indicates that there is something terribly wrong. In some cases, you can solve the unpleasant feeling by simply moving around and try having sex in a different way.

Lack of Lubrication

One of the most common causes of painful sex for women is lack of lubrication. As we all know, the vagina lubricates itself for comfortable and smooth sex. In some cases, however, a woman might find it difficult to get wet. This is completely normal and happens to the best of us from time to time. Remember, sex is not only a physical act. Your mood, state-of-mind, and ability to feel comfortable play an important role for a woman to be able to feel excited. Once women get older, however, it becomes more difficult for their vagina to lubricate themselves naturally. Luckily, this problem can be easily solved by applying lube the right way. With the right type of lube, you’ll be able to enjoy comfortable sex at any time no matter where you’re at.

STIs

We’re all heard about Sexually Transmitted Infections before. These infections are generally spread through contact with another person’s genitals or body fluids. However, this does not mean that you’re safe when if you avoid your partner’s vagina or penis by simply using a condom.

In fact, there are many STIs such as herpes and gonorrhea that can be spread via oral sex or by simply touching your own genitals with your hands followed by touching those of your partner. Once you have obtained an STI, you’ll soon come to realize that it does not only look bad, but it also feels bad! When you suffer from a certain STI, chances are high that you won’t be able to enjoy good sex for a while. Luckily, STIs are easy to fix with the right medication. Nevertheless, it’s always important to stay safe. So remember to use condoms and dental dams. Also, try not to touch your genitals after touching your partner’s private parts.

Vaginal Infections

Every woman who has dealt with excess yeast or unwanted bacteria before knows that this can have a painful effect on her sex life. The same goes for numerous other urinary tract infections. No matter what kind of vaginal infection you’re suffering from, it’s highly likely to affect your sex life due to the fact that they disrupt the sensitive balance of good bacteria and pH levels within your genitals. As a result, you’ll experience a burning sensation. When you’re suffering from a vaginal infection, the best thing to do is visit a health care professional and stay away from sex for at least a week or two.

Vaginismus

Some women do not suffer from any vaginal infections, STIs, or lack of lubrication yet they still experience pain during sex. In fact, these women are likely to suffer from pain no matter what they insert into their vagina. Whether it’s a tampon, sexual intercourse, or their own realistic dildo sex toy when masturbating, it all feels uncomfortable. When this is the case for you, you’re likely suffering from Vaginismus. This means that during any type of penetration, your vagina muscles will tightly contract, causing intense pain and a tearing sensation. Although rare, there are some women who suffer from this. The causes of Vaginismus are broad including sexual trauma, childbirth, menopause, fear for sex, or life changes. Nowadays, there is still little known about Vaginismus. If you believe to be suffering from this, the best solution lies in a combination of counseling and sex therapy combined with Kegel Exercise.