Donate
Health & Sexuality Info

painful sex

Sexual activity can be painful under a wide range of circumstances. Sometimes a medical problem such as an infection or vulvodynia can lead to burning, stinging, or stabbing pain during sex. Hormonal changes including menopause may also cause vaginal dryness and vaginal thinning which can make sex painful. Having sex without being aroused enough, or when you don’t want to be having it, can also make sex painful. Pain during sexual activity should always be taken seriously–it can be physically and emotionally harmful to “soldier through” when sex hurts.

Explore painful sex content
Clear All
Stories & Conversations

Loving Relationships and Vulvovaginal Pain

Two hands clasped together with flowers

In this podcast episode, a married couple shares how they navigate their sexual and emotional relationship when penetration causes vulvovaginal pain.

Resources

The Physical Effects of Sexual Trauma: Chronic Pelvic Pain

A woman sits on a bed, clasping her midsection as though in pain

In this article, a pelvic health physical therapist explains how sexual trauma affects the body and contributes to chronic pelvic pain (CPP) as well as other bodily systems and cycles.

Stories & Conversations

Stories of Chronic Vulvovaginal and Pelvic Pain

Opening Up Zine

This multimedia zine is a fantastic resource for people with chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain (and those who care about them).

Resources

When Sex is Painful

A woman lies in bed with a sad or disappointed look on her face

A concise, factual, and helpful outline of the various types of vulvovaginal pain and their treatments.

Resources

Decoding Vaginismus

A medical model of a vagina with vaginismus and one without

This nonjudgmental article offers information on what causes vaginismus, helpful language for speaking with doctors, possible treatments, and more.