Cramping after sex can occur for a wide variety of reasons and is not always a sign of an underlying medical condition. For example, orgasm and ejaculation can cause the release of substances called prostaglandins, which cause muscle contractions that may feel like cramps. In most cases, the pain is temporary and fades away on its own.
However, if you are frequently experiencing pain after sex, you may want to seek medical advice. Contact your doctor if you experience:
- Severe pain that interferes with your sexual life
- Increasing pain intensity
- Bleeding or spotting during or after sex
- Lesions or bumps in your genital area
- Fever
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Uncontrolled or involuntary contractions of the vaginal muscles
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Cramping during or after sex in pregnancy
What causes cramps after sex?
Causes of cramps after sex may include:
- Sexually transmitted infections (genital herpes, human papillomavirus, chlamydia, or molluscum contagiosum)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (infection of the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes)
- Vaginal dryness due to menopause, hormonal changes, medications, or insufficient foreplay
- Fibroids or leiomyomas (noncancerous growths arising from the muscle layer of the uterus or cervix)
- Endometriosis (a medical condition in which the endometrium or tissue that lines the inner surface of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body)
- Vaginismus (involuntary contraction of vaginal muscles)
- Retroverted uterus or tipped uterus (an abnormality in the anatomical position of the uterus where the uterus is tilted backward)
- Psychological factors (stress, anxiety, or fear related to sexual intercourse)
- Imperforate hymen (a condition in which the hymen blocks the entire vaginal opening)
- Skin conditions in the genital area (eczema or intertrigo)
- Inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) or urinary bladder (cystitis)
- Hemorrhoids
- Ovarian cysts
- Uterine prolapse
- Radiation or chemotherapy
- Previous surgeries (such as hysterectomy and myomectomy)
- Following intrauterine device (IUD) insertion
- Following childbirth
- Cervicitis or cervical erosion
- Cancer (rare)
SLIDESHOW
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Causes and Treatment See SlideshowHow to treat cramps after sex
Treatment of cramps after sex depends on the cause or underlying health condition. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history, perform a physical examination, and order relevant investigations to confirm a diagnosis.
- If no underlying medical condition is found, the cause of cramps may be due to psychological factors, for which counseling may be recommended.
- If an infection is causing your symptoms, your doctor will prescribe antimicrobial medications (antibiotics, antifungal, or antiviral medications depending on the cause of infection).
- Hormone replacement therapy may be advised if menopause is causing your symptoms. Ospemifene is an oral medication approved by the FDA to treat painful intercourse in menopausal women.
- If certain medications are causing vaginal dryness, your doctor may prescribe suitable replacements for the medications.
- For vaginal dryness, your doctor may recommend topical estrogen or vaginal lubricants.
- Skin conditions may be addressed by suitable therapy prescribed by a dermatologist. Your doctor may advise you to avoid synthetic panties, vaginal douching, or the use of fragrances, including scented creams, pads, or toilet papers in your genital area.
- Surgery may be needed to treat certain conditions, such as fibroids or endometriosis.
Your doctor may also recommend some home-management tips, such as:
- Relaxation and de-stressing techniques
- Application of cold packs in the genital area
- Avoiding sex positions that cause pain
- Vaginal lubricants or jellies
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- Couples counseling
Medically Reviewed on 11/17/2021
References
Image Source: iStock Images
Heim LJ. Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis of Dyspareunia. Am Fam Physician. 2001 Apr 15;63(8):1535-1545. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0415/p1535.html
Cleveland Clinic. Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12325-dyspareunia-painful-intercourse
Heim LJ. Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis of Dyspareunia. Am Fam Physician. 2001 Apr 15;63(8):1535-1545. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0415/p1535.html
Cleveland Clinic. Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12325-dyspareunia-painful-intercourse
Complete List
Top Is It Normal to Cramp After Sex Related Articles
4 Sex Topics You Should Discuss With Your Partner
One-on-one contact, empathy, and emotional connections are all usually very important in establishing sexual intimacy. Four sex topics you should discuss with your partner include physical limitations, gender history, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and religious upbringing.7 Most Erogenous Zones On a Woman
Everyone has sensitive touchpoints or erogenous zones on their bodies. The seven most erogenous zones on a woman are the ears, fingertips and palms, nipples, inner thighs, clitoris, A-spot, and the bottom of the feet.
acetaminophen/pamabrom
Acetaminophen/pamabrom is a combination medication available over the counter (OTC), used for the temporary relief of menstrual symptoms (menstrual cramps, backache, headache, other minor pains, and bloating). Common side effects of acetaminophen/pamabrom include hives (urticaria), itchy rash, hypersensitivity reactions, toxicity to the liver (hepatotoxicity), blood disorders, and others. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.acetaminophen/pamabrom/pyrilamine
Acetaminophen/pamabrom/pyrilamine is a combination medication available over the counter (OTC), used for the temporary relief of menstrual symptoms, including cramps, backache, headache, bloating, water-weight gain, minor aches and pains, muscular aches and irritability. Do not take concurrently or within 14 days after treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) type of antidepressant medications. Acetaminophen side effects include hives (urticaria), itchy rash, swelling, severe anaphylaxis-like allergic reaction (anaphylactoid reaction), blood disorders, and others. Pamabrom side effects include discolored urine (golden tinted). Pyrilamine side effects include blurred vision, sleepiness (sedation), and dry mouth (xerostomia).
Cramps But No Period
Having cramps but no period can occur because of conditions other than your monthly menstrual cycle. They may feel like period cramps of the lower abdomen when you are not due for your period and produce no blood. These 12 diseases and conditions are examples of what can cause abdominal cramping when not on period.
Do Men or Women Feel More Pleasure During Sex?
Everyone feels pleasure differently during sex. Both men and women can feel great pleasure during sex.
Does Sex Speed Aging?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that engaging in sexual activity can speed up the aging process. In fact, some research has suggested that regular sexual activity may have a number of health benefits, such as improving cardiovascular health, boosting the immune system, and reducing stress. Still, it is important to practice safe sex in order to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.
Gonorrhea In Women
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection transmitted during sexual contact. In women, symptoms include a yellow vaginal discharge, burning or frequent urination, and redness, swelling, burning, and itching of the vaginal area. Gonorrhea can be treated with injectable (penicillin) or oral medications.
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.
Muscle Cramps: Treatment
Muscle cramps cannot be stopped instantly with injections or pills, but some methods can be useful to relieve them which include stretching, massage, application of heat and cold, walking and taking B vitamins.passion flower
Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) is an edible fruit that has been traditionally used as herbal medicine to treat anxiety, insomnia hysteria, epilepsy, and as a mild pain reliever (analgesic). Avoid taking passion flower concurrently with other sedative medications. Common side effects of passion flower include confusion, altered consciousness, impaired coordination/balance/speech (ataxia), dizziness, drowsiness, liver toxicity, blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), nausea, vomiting, pancreas toxicity, heart rhythm disturbance (prolonged QT interval), and rapid ventricular contractions (ventricular tachycardia).
25 Ways to Relieve Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual cramps happen when prostaglandins force the uterus to contract. Dysmenorrhea, or period pain, may be relieved by heating pads, ibuprofen, and other measures. Endometriosis may cause severe cramps during the menstrual cycle. Luckily, women have many options for period pain relief.
Sex & Love Quiz
Relationships, sex, and love! Could it be that what motivates physical attraction in us may be all in our minds? Take the Sex & Love Quiz to challenge yourself on healthy human sexuality!
Sexual Health: 12 Tips for Better Sex
Can you learn new techniques to breathe better? Healthy breathing helps you maintain the right balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. Breathing training and other healthy habits can improve your lung capacity.
Sexual Health: Common Sex Injuries and Other Hazards
Sex is supposed to be pleasurable, but make the wrong moves in the bedroom, and it can hurt.
What Causes Low, Normal, and High Sex Drives
Your sex drive, also called your libido, refers to how much you would like to have sex. Low, normal, and high sex drives may be due to hormones, medical problems, medications, mental health issues, and other factors.yohimbe
Yohimbe bark products are herbal supplements promoted for male and female sexual dysfunction, athletic performance, weight loss, as an aphrodisiac, and many other purposes. Common side effects of yohimbe include cardiac conduction disturbances, cardiac failure, high or low blood pressure (hypertension/hypotension), rapid heart rate (tachycardia), anxiety, excitation, irritability, insomnia, headache, dizziness, tremor, paralysis, respiratory depression, and others. Yohimbe is also associated with heart attacks and seizures. Do not use yohimbe if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.