By weknowsex.ca
If you’re experiencing pain during sex, or persistently in your genitals, don’t ignore it. It could be from something you’re doing – or not doing, but make the effort to find out. Some women experience pain in the genital area during sexual activity. There can be many causes, some of which include:
A Lack of Lubrication in the Vagina or on the Clitoris
Sometimes this happens because things are moving too fast and a woman has not become aroused enough yet for her vagina to lubricate. Slow things down. For most women, sexual arousal doesn’t happen in seconds, like it does with some men. Don’t hesitate to experiment with lubricant that you can buy at the drug store in the condom aisle. In many cases, using lube will make vaginal penetration much more comfortable. Always follow the product directions and if using a condom, be sure to use a lubricant that is compatible with your condom.Vaginal dryness is also a common problem for women during and after menopause, although inadequate vaginal lubrication can occur at any age. Vaginal dryness is a hallmark sign of vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) — thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to a decline in estrogen. Hormonal changes associated with your menstrual cycle, aging, menopause, childbirth and breast-feeding may affect the amount and consistency of this moisture.
Rough Play
Sometimes your partner may be over-eager and inserting his penis into your vagina too quickly, or too roughly, or rubbing your clitoris too hard. Don’t be afraid tell your partner to slow down and take it easy. Most partners will be glad to know how to give you pleasure.
Vaginismus
Another type of pain that women can experience is called vaginismus, which is when your pelvic muscles cause a reflex tightening of the outer third of the vagina whenever anything (e.g., penis, finger, tampon) is inserted. The tightening of the vagina is a reflex spasm that the woman is usually not able to control. If you think you might have vaginismus you should arrange to see a gynecologist.
Latex Allergy
Some people develop an allergy to latex, including latex condoms, which causes itching, pain, or discomfort in the genitals. Switch from latex condoms to polyurethane condoms. You can find polyurethane condoms in the same section of the store as where the latex condoms are kept.
If you experience any pain issue in the genital area, whether you’re having sex or not, you should see a doctor. In some cases the pain is caused by a sexually transmitted infection, a yeast infection, or something else entirely. Find out what’s causing the pain so you can get it taken care of.