As per a study published in International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1 among 10 women experience pain during or after sex. (1) Usually, questions related to intercourse are not openly discussed and women often suffer in silence.
Having cramps after sex is nothing to be concerned about however it can also be an indication of underlying health condition. As per New York University’s Langone Medical Center, there are several possible causes for experiencing cramps after sex. So, in this article let’s learn them in detail…
Possible Causes of Cramping and Abdominal Pain after Sex
1. Ejaculation
The semen contains prostaglandin in it. Few women are sensitive to this molecule and its release into the vagina during ejaculation can lead to pain or other discomfort after sex.
2. Deep Penetration
If your man is hitting the cervix (womb neck) then it can cause pain and discomfort during or after sex. Usually, when a woman is aroused, her uterus and cervix will lift up so that the vagina lengthens. This ensures that the penis doesn’t hit the cervix. But if the woman is not completely ready for sex then the uterus and cervix will remain in the same place. So, the penis will likely to hit the cervix. In some other situations, though woman is completely aroused, she can feel the pressure against the cervix. In that case, you can try sex position which doesn’t lead to deep penetration.
Apart from that, certain sex positions make the penis to deeply penetrate into the vagina. This can lead to irritation, pain and discomfort of the cervix. If you are experiencing intense pain after sex then it is better to consult a certified doctor.
3. Titled Uterus
Normally, the uterus is positioned straight up or position towards the belly. But for some people, the uterus can be tilted which means that the uterus is positional facing the rectum away from belly. This is usually happens in 20% of women. Cramps after sex are a common symptom of tilted uterus. If you are suffering from tiled uterus then changing sexual position may help.
4. Fibroids
Fibroids are the begin growths which can develop in the fallopian tubes and around the womb. Big sized fibroids can make a pressure on the uterus which can cause pain during and after the sex. Some fibroids can also grow on the cervix and at the end of the vaginal tract. These types of fibroids make the sex penetration very painful.
Some other symptoms that indicate fibroids apart from pain during sex are heavy bleeding, loss of libido and pelvic pain. Distressing pain during or after sex can lead to distress and depression in women.
5. Ovarian Cyst
Cysts are sacs filled with fluid which usually develop on the ovary. They can cause pain after and during sexual intercourse. During the sexual intercourse, the fluid from the cysts can leak. This is one of the dangerous and gynecological issues so it is recommended to consult a doctor.
6. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a medical condition which makes the tissues to grow on the uterus or the other parts of the reproductive organs. This can lead to pain during and after sex. It may also cause severe abdominal pain and abnormal discharge during any menstrual day.
7. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PID is an infection of fallopian tubes, ovaries, pelvis and uterus. Women having sexually transmitted diseases are a higher risk of getting pelvic inflammatory diseases. They can be a reason for the cramps after the sex. Other symptoms of PID are abdominal cramps, severe back pain, and abnormal bleeding.
8. Vaginal Dryness
If your vagina is dry or has insufficient lubrication then you can have pain during an intercourse. Poor vaginal lubrication leads to painful friction that can affect the vaginal tissues and walls. One of the best ways to treat vaginal dryness is to have enough foreplay before having sex. Women who are in their peri-menopause state can also experience vaginal dryness which can lead to cramps during and after sexual intercourse.
9. Orgasm
Some women experience intense cramping like menstrual pain after having an orgasm. Usually, orgasms cause mild contractions of the pelvic and uterus.
10. Virginity
If you are having sex for the first time then cramps and light spotting is pretty common and nothing to worry about. This is actually caused by stretching or breaking the hymen.
11. IUD
Intrauterine device is a T-shaped birth control device inserted into the vagina. Actually, there are two types of IUD’s available – copper IUD and hormonal IUD. If you have got them placed recently then abdominal pain, light bleeding and pain after sex are common. They can be caused due to tampering in the device caused during the physical excitement. Apart from that cramps are common during the first 3 months after installation of IUD. If the intrauterine device is causing severe intense pains then contact your gynecologist.
12. During Pregnancy
If you are having a low-risk pregnancy then you can enjoy having sex. If your family has a history of miscarriages then it is better to consult your doctor.
Actually, orgasm can cause minor uterine contractions. When you are aroused, the hormone oxytocin is released which cause the uterus to contract. Apart from that semen contains chemicals called prostaglandins that can induce uterine contractions. As contractions are caused by orgasm, even masturbation can also give lead to minor cramps.
If you are having sex during second or third trimester, then you experience uterine contractions which can also feel like false labor. Usually, they are only temporary and do not hurt the baby. But if you are having contractions every 10 – 15 minutes for an hour, it can be a premature labor.
13. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases like Chlamydia, yeast infection or any other then it can cause pain during and after sexual intercourse.
14. Cervical Stenosis
This medical condition can be caused when the cervix is very narrow with less blood circulation. Women with this condition have irregular periods and cramping after sex.
15. Ovarian Cancer
Cramping after sex, irregular periods, abdominal swelling, pressure in the abdomen and frequent urination are the signs of ovarian cancer.
Dealing with Cramps after sex
Here are few tips to get relief from the mild pains after sex…
- Place a warm compress on the lower abdomen to soothe the pain.
- Take pain killers for reliving the cramps.
- Start walking slowly or do some aerobics.
- Take some natural pain killer herbs like chamomile, fennel seeds, dill or ginger.
- Take a warm bath or soak in warm bath for 15 – 20 minutes for reduce pain quickly.
- If you are experiencing pain during sex then change to any other position.
- Massaging the abdomen or stomach can help you get relief from the pain.
Mild cramps after sex can be pretty normal but if the pain intensifies or doesn’t reduce then consult a doctor as soon as possible.
If you have any further questions, write to us in the comment section below. We are more than happy to help you clear the doubts.
trying to get pregnant.Somedays back,i was very horny but there was no sex i woke up with serious pain in my pevic area on my left side,as feel it,i will go to tiolet the pain later was on my two sides.what could be the cause?
As per your description, we cannot conclude the reason based on just the symptoms. We recommend consulting your gynecologist for a proper examination and ultrasound scan to know the accurate reason for the discomfort you are facing.
I have sex 3 days ago and I’m still experiencing abdominal pains (cramps). It feels like im constipated (nothing solid is coming out) I have a running tummy.
The pain can be due to constipation or infection. It is better to consult a doctor to get proper diagnosis.
After sex I feel strong cramps I couldn’t walk ,constipation a lot air in my stomach, I vomit
It can be caused due to infections. So, we recommend consulting a doctor to get a physical examination for accurate reason.
This was really informative, thank you.
Two days ago I had sex with my boyfriend and he ejactulated outside of my vagina I’m just very worried that I am pregnant I need your help and advice, also my boyfriend did put his finger in me and I think touched my cervix I’m not really sure I have bad cramping now and I went to the restroom and there was a little bit of blood so I do need your help ASAP thanks
If the ejaculation happened outside then there is no chance of pregnancy. As per your symptoms, you may be having infection. So, we recommend consulting a doctor for the same.
My partner and I had sex yesterday morning, afterwards I had severe discomfort, and slight pain (really not much) in my stomach starting from just the top of my uterus to the top of my belly button and my stomach was all hard mostly on the left side. I do have a very high chance of being pregnant because about three weeks ago we did not use protection. The discomfort start disappearing after thirty minutes with help of lots of water and softly massaging my stomach and was completely gone after an hour then two hours after the pain stopped we had sex again and I had gotten slight discomfort in my abdomen area but not as bad as the first time. Any ideas??
We recommend consulting a gynecologist to know the proper answer.
Last night i had unprotected sex with my hubby, then when we finish i had abdorminal pain (very painful) also felt like vomiting. The pain then stopped after 10 to 15 minutes, but now am still having those pains but slightly though. What might be the cause?
It is difficult to draw a conclusion without a physical examination so we recommend consulting a medical professional to know the proper reason.
yesterday i had sex with my hubby but after the act i had severe pain in the lower abdomen what may be the cause. please i need the answer
There are several causes for abdominal pain after sex. We have mentioned them clearly in the above article. As you haven’t mentioned much about your menstrual cycle, sexual life or reproductive health. It is hard for us to determine the exact reason. So, we recommend consulting a doctor for a physical examination to know the proper reason.
I experience abdominal pain after musterbation.. I usually musterbate once in 2days for 1-2min.i have fibroids range from 0.9-13mm..in my uterus
is there any harmful effect of musterbation for getting me pregnant
As orgasms cause mild contractions of the pelvic and uterus, some people experience pain which is normal so you don’t have to worry about it. Yes, masturbation in the luteal phase can lead reduce the chances of implantation.
Im 26 years , trying to conceive, got married four months ago. Suffering from pcos since i was 19 .
Right now my gynae has put me on clomid and glucophage. Finished two cycles of clomid… i had severe cramping in abdominal in last month on my periods due , it was march 18 to march 21 .. this time im 4 days late on my periods , having severe cramping in my tummy from almost 12 days and thick white dischrge from vagina , and bloated since last 3 days, … had my blood tests done but it was hcg levels 1.20 … i dont know what to do .. really worried please somenidy help .
Talk to your gynecologist about another fertility treatment options.
i had unprotected sex with my boy friend but after a few days i felt abdominal pain and back pain what could be the cause
As we don’t have much idea about your menstrual cycle, it is hard to determine the right cause as it can be STD, implantation or anything else. If the pain doesn’t reduce even after 3 – 4 days then consult a medical professional.
I experience pains in my stomach after sex with my hubby most times, (over ten years now) especially if he ejaculates inside. Feel rumbling and bloated with abdominal pains but stops after hours .Is it normal.
I had sex with my boyfriend last night-
I reached orgasm first from being on top and then after when I wanted him finish I had a little pain but after I had extreme pain and sever cramping from my pubis to my belly and higher for 30/45 minutes
I peed after and used a hot water bottle and physiology ball to bounce on but the pain was extra ordinary. What do you advise ? What happen to me ?
It is unusual to experience such pain during sex. It is difficult to confirm the reason without a physical examination. We recommend consulting a doctor for the same.
I’m 30 years old and I just had a full abdominal hysterectomy January 15 of this year. I had this due to severe endometriosis and adenomyosis. My doctor said everything healed very nicely when I went for my last check up and I could return to a normal lifestyle. So I went back to work lifting things and everything was fine. One night things got a little heated with someone special to me and we had sex. The sex was gentle and was not painful at all. Immediately afterwards my stomach began to cramp, I was bleeding and sick to my stomach. The bleeding wasn’t heavy and decreased into the next day. I spotted for a couple days before leaning clear fluid. I also felt as though I was having trapped gas cramps and lots of pressure on my rectum. My doctor wasn’t in due to vacation. She said if the bleeding or pain increase to seek medical attention, otherwise she’d see me in a couple days. She examined me and everything was fine just seemed a little irritated in one spot. I waited a few weeks and on another heated night this happened again. However this time I only bled that night. The cramps were awful, they made me cry and here I am three days after still can’t pass gas or barely move my bowels and cramped up. Anyone ever experience this?
Was having. Unprotected sex then all of a sudden this abdominal pain came out of nowhere. We stopped & when I woke up in the morning I had mild cramping again. Should I be concerned
It is better to get diagnosed by a gynecologist to know the reason.
I just had sex with my partner not too long but it was so deep that even during the sex I felt pains and I just couldn’t bear it but to tell him to stop and have been feeling a severe pain under my abdominal cavity just immediately after the sex pls I need a drugs to use to reduce the pain though am feeling relived a little but the pain is still there that I can’t even walk straight
We recommend to consult a doctor as soon as possible for reliving the pain.
I’m having pains in the right side loved side of my tummy and it’s starting to lightly move on the left side but I’ve had this pain since sex last Saturday night after sex and on Sunday I had pains some of the day and now it’s just really hurting me I can’t walk I can’t sleep it ha woken me up it feels sharp and if I push it it hurts it I push like trying to poo it drills me with more pain what can this be
It can be caused due to infection or any other issue. We recommend consulting a doctor to know the appropriate reason and treatment.
hi! i just finished my period two days ago, and yesterday my boyfriend fingered me (with dried up saliva mixed with his cum). it was pretty rough, and now i feel kind of sore with back pains and i’m having abdominal pains on one side of my body. would it be possible that i could be pregnant from this?
Nope, as it has just been 2 days after your periods there is no chance of having ovulation at this time. So, pregnancy is unlikely.
Mostly having sex I use to feel a very sharp object at the right hand of my stomach then after some time move to the lower part of my abdomen,also having whitish discharge.. could this block me from getting pregnant. thanks
We recommend getting an ultrasound to know the reason for pain. Once we identify the problem then it will be helpful to provide the accurate answer for your question.
Had sex with husband and about ten minutes later had a really sharp pain in my stomach that only lasted a few seconds. Should I be concerned? What could that be? We are trying
If that happens again then consult a medical professional.
My boyfriend and I are trying to get pregnant we were using g a positio. Where I was on top it seems every time we ha e sex in this position and we both “release” I get an Intense pain. Inside my lady bits ..it only happen s when we are in this position but the cramping lasts for probably 45 minutes…any suggestions?
I have experienced very bad cramping after unprotected sex a few times now, had to stop as it gets worse, approx 1h( might be more). Also i have pain in my rectum ( sharp pain when I move). We’re not having anal sex but that is bothering me as it’s excruciating pain. Lastly, i do have an IUD so i assume the pain might be from that but it’s been about 6months that i have it and it’s usually fine.
It is difficult to determine the problem without physical examination. We recommend consulting a doctor for knowing the proper reason.