Painful Sex? You Shouldn’t Have to Endure It

Let’s get one thing straight: sex should not hurt.

Many people don’t realize this, so let me say it again — maybe even shout it: persistent or sharp pain during intercourse is NOT normal. Your body is sending you an important signal, and it’s crucial to pay attention. Pain is your body’s way of saying something is off, and it deserves care and attention.

🌸 Normal Sensations vs. Pain with Sex

During sex, it’s normal to feel:

• Stretching or gentle pressure

• Warmth or throbbing

• Mild soreness afterward

• Temporary swelling

These sensations are generally brief, mild, and part of normal physical response.

Persistent, sharp, or debilitating pain, however, is not normal. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, nearly 75% of women experience pain with sex at least once in their life — but if it happens consistently, it is a sign that something is not right.

Pain during penetrative sex, also called dyspareunia, can stem from medical causes that should be evaluated by a physician, including:

• Bladder or vaginal infections

• Cysts or fibroids

• Endometriosis

• Skin irritation or allergic reactions

These conditions may require medical treatment, but there are also many pelvic health factors that can be addressed effectively with pelvic physical therapy.

Pain with intercourse can be triggered by many factors - Pelvic PT can help!

🌿 How Pelvic Physical Therapy Can Help During Every Season of Life

Every stage of life brings unique challenges to sexual health, and a pelvic PT can provide guidance, techniques, and treatment to improve comfort and pleasure.

• Newly sexually active women: Learning to relax and trust your body takes time. Anxiety, tension, or uncertainty about your pelvic muscles can make intercourse uncomfortable. PT can teach relaxation techniques, breathing strategies, ways to engage your pelvic muscles safely, and strategies for better communicating with partners

• New moms: Pregnancy and childbirth often change the pelvic floor. Fatigue, perineal scars, and reduced sensation can limit sexual enjoyment. Post partum hormonal changes can impact vaginal tissues, leading to discomfort. PT helps restore strength, mobility, and coordination, reducing discomfort and improving overall function. PTs can offer suggestions for lubrication or moisturizers or help with scar tissue management.

• Mid-life women: Pelvic organ prolapse, muscle weakness, and hormonal changes affect nearly 50% of women. Therapy can strengthen support muscles, improve posture, and relieve pressure, making intimacy more comfortable.

• Menopause: Vaginal dryness, joint stiffness, and decreased libido are common challenges. PT provides strategies to reduce friction, enhance blood flow, and improve muscle function — helping women enjoy intimacy again.

💡 What a Pelvic PT Can Do for Painful Sex

Pelvic physical therapy is about more than education — it actively restores function and comfort in the pelvic region. A pelvic PT may:

• Stretch tight muscles, fascia, or scar tissue that limits movement or causes pain

• Strengthen weak or underactive muscles to improve support and endurance

• Suggest changes to posture and alignment to change the angle of penetration for comfort

• Recommend lubricants, dilators, or other tools to reduce friction and discomfort

Beyond the physical techniques to decrease pain with sex, PT also provides knowledge about your anatomy and physiology. Understanding how your pelvic floor works during arousal, penetration, and orgasm can reduce fear, build confidence, and improve your overall sexual experience.

No matter your age, pelvic PT is tailored to your unique needs. It’s a safe, effective way to reclaim pleasurable, pain-free intimacy.

Pelvic PT can help you reclaim pain-free intimacy.

✅ Take Action If Sex Hurts

Persistent pain during intercourse is not something you have to tolerate. Your body deserves attention, care, and solutions. A pelvic physical therapist can help you:

• Identify the source of discomfort

• Restore strength, flexibility, and coordination

• Build confidence in your sexual health

Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you. Seeking help early can prevent long-term discomfort and help you enjoy intimacy again — safely and comfortably.

You deserve pleasure, comfort, and confidence.

If you’ve been experiencing pain during sex, reach out to a pelvic health professional who can guide you through recovery.