What Are the Common Causes of Uterus Pain after Intercourse?

Uterus pain after intercourse is usually caused by overly-rough or vigorous coitus and can be avoided simply by adjusting the techniques used during intercourse. The most common medical causes of this sort of pain are endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and fibroid tumors. The pain might also be due to a sexually-transmitted disease (STD). In some cases, the pain is caused by congenital defects. Getting an exam and STD test from a gynecologist are the best way to diagnose the exact cause of discomfort.

Outside of rough intercourse, the most likely cause of the discomfort is endometriosis, a common condition in which cells similar to endometrial tissue grow on organs outside the uterus. The ovaries, the areas behind the womb, and the large bowel are the most commonly-affected parts. This causes growths to develop which, when subjected to pressure as in intercourse, can cause a significant amount of pain. Although there is no direct cure for endometriosis, medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can provide temporary relief for uterus pain after sexual intercourse.

Ovarian cysts can also cause pain in an otherwise healthy uterus, especially during or after intercourse. These fluid-filled sacs are located on the surface of the ovary. Although few of the cysts exhibit any noticeable symptoms, pressure on or damage to the growths can cause pain in the surrounding areas. Intercourse, for example, can cause the ovarian cysts to rupture, bleed, or twist. If uterus pain after intercourse is accompanied by a fever or vomiting, individuals should seek immediate medical help.

Uterine fibroids are another possible cause of uterus pain after sex. Although these slow-growing, non-cancerous tumors rarely cause any significant symptoms, roughly 25% of patients with uterine fibroids report feeling pain. The fibroids can be detected through a gynecological exam; any growths detected during diagnosis can be removed through surgery.

If uterus pain after intercourse is accompanied by abnormal vaginal discharge, the patient might have been infected with an STD known as chlamydia. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that spreads through vaginal or anal intercourse. This STD does not always cause symptoms, which allows it to damage reproductive organs before the patient feels something is wrong. Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease or cervititis, both of which can cause pain after intercourse.

Some patients might be born with physiological defects that contribute to post-coital discomfort. A retroverted uterus, for example, is a uterus that tilts backward into the pelvis. This condition can sometimes cause uterus pain after intercourse because of the pressure it places on the rectum and surrounding ligaments. The pain can be prevented by changing positions, or through a surgical procedure to adjust the uterus into the correct position.