MamasHealth.com Home Sexual Health Abstinence Addicted to sex Aphrodisiacs Become sexually confident Breast cancer and sex Comfortable sex positions Consequences of rape Cybersex Date rape Dating a virgin Delayed puberty Diabetes and erectile dysfunction Dirty talk Escaping an attacker Faking it Finding time for sex Friends with benefits Health benefits of sex Intimacy tips Help! The condom broke Lost sex drive Managing sexual side effects of medicine Marital rape Menstrual problems Puberty Safe sex Sex after pregnancy Sex and pregnancy Sex in the golden years Sex on prom night Sex problems caused by diabetes Sex therapy Sex with your ex Sexual abuse Sexual anorexia Stimulating touch Sperm donors Sperm donation expect Talk with your partner about sex issues Teen pregnancy Virginity When sex hurts Links Email Mama Friends with benefits Pre-marital sex Why guys don't call Relationships Sex and relationship advice from Madison Grey	When Sex Hurts Painful sex is very common. Many couples are unable to have sexual intercourse because the woman finds that it hurts too much. Painful sex is also called dyspareunia. Common causes of pain during sex Lack of sexual arousal. Lack of sexual arousal is the most common cause of painful intercourse. Sex becomes painful because during arousal, the becomes moist and lubricated to avoid any friction. Without lubrication, painful friction occurs. If you fully aroused when you have sex but still experiencing pain, check with your doctor to make sure you aren't suffering from an underlying condition. When you visit your doctor, they will ask you several questions, including: Is the pain just around the outside of your vagina or is it deeper? Is the pain to one side or both? Do you have any back pain? How would you describe the pain? Is it a deep ache, or sore and burning, or sharp and stabbing? Do you only feel the pain during intercourse or does the pain persist? Does the pain vary at different times of the month or in different positions? If your lack of sexual arousal is not caused by another medical condition, try these tips to help get rid of pain and increase sexual arousal: Relax. Before engaging in sex, take a deep breath and relax. Have a bath, use deep-breathing techniques or buy a relaxation tape from your local health shop. Work on relationship issues. If you're unhappy about something with your partner, it might be difficult to enjoy sex with them. Try to work out your problems. Strengthen your pelvic floor. You can strengthen your pelvic muscles by doing Kegal exercises. A firm pelvic floor will increase the blood flow to your genital area and make you more conscious of any sensations of physical arousal. Communicate with your partner. It is important to talk with your partner about the pain you’re experiencing and figure out other ways for both of you to satisfy your sexual needs. Try different positions. Pain during sex may be a result of pressure on particular parts of the body. It may be putting pressure on certain joints hurt, or that penetration at a certain angle is painful. Post-traumatic stress is another cause of pain during sex. Women and men who have experienced sexual assault or abuse may experience pain when having sex. Vaginismus also causes pain during sex. Vaginismus is an involuntary spasm of the muscles surrounding the vagina that closes the vagina. Vaginismus causes penetration to be difficult, painful, or even impossible.	Featured Book Advertise on MamasHealth.com Sponsor a contest on MamasHealth.com
	Health Topics: Barack Obama and John McCain's Health plans Soothe aching feet How to choose the best weight loss program Helping an alcoholic spouse How to deal with a stubborn husband or boyfriend How to support a family on one income Financial health
	Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use. Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170 If you want a review of your product featured on MamasHealth.com, let us know. ©2000 - 2008 MamasHealth.com™. All rights reserved