On this page 5 sections
Quick answer
- Painful sex is common and treatable – don’t just put up with it.
- Entrance pain and deep pain often have different causes.
- Lube, slowing down and stopping when it hurts are good first steps.
- Bleeding after sex, unusual discharge or pelvic pain need a check.
Pain during or after sex (dyspareunia) is really common, and it is never something you should just put up with. It’s also very treatable once you know the cause.
Pain at the entrance
- Dryness – from not enough arousal, hormonal changes, breastfeeding or some medicines
- Infections like thrush or STIs
- Irritation from soaps, washes or spermicides
- Vaginismus – automatic tightening of vaginal muscles
- Vulvodynia – ongoing vulval pain with no obvious cause
Deeper pain
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), often linked to STIs
- Fibroids or ovarian cysts
- Constipation or bowel conditions like IBS
MythPain the first time (or every time) is just normal.
Some nerves are normal, but ongoing pain isn’t. It’s a signal worth getting checked.
Getting help
A GP or sexual health clinic can check for infections and other causes. Depending on what’s going on, treatment might include medicine, pelvic floor physiotherapy, psychosexual therapy, or vaginal moisturisers and lubricants. Keeping a note of when pain happens (and where you are in your cycle) really helps.
Sources
Written by the Splash teamSources checked
This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US). How we write and check articles.