Sexual problems and solutions / Discomfort of vulva and vagina during intercourse:

If you feel pain in your pelvis or stomach during sex, a few small changes can help. If you have this pain more often, it's a reason to see a gynecologist.

Where does the pain come from?

If you suddenly feel pain deep within the pelvis — so in the abdomen (stomach) rather than in the vagina — during intercourse with a penis or dildo, that might be because the penis or dildo is bumping into an ovary. Sometimes, the ovaries lie directly next to the vagina and they can be very sensitive to pain (similar to testicles!), especially during ovulation.

Changing the angle helps

It usually helps if you adjust the angle of the thrust or change to a different sex position.

Why does sexual arousal help?

Basically, nature itself has taken precautions here: the increased blood flow to the vaginal wall during sexual arousal causes the upper third of the vagina to widen, lifting the uterus and ovaries up and out of the way. So that means, with enough sexual arousal, there should be no pain for most people.

Why does it help to move?

If your pelvic floor muscles are tight during sexual arousal, blood can't really flow to the vagina and so it can't widen. That's why it's useful to learn to move your muscles during sexual arousal instead of tensing them. Want to learn more? We explain why movement is good in this text, and we talk about what happens when you tense up here.

When should I see a gynecologist?

An examination by a gynecologist makes sense if you feel pain deep within your pelvis every time you have intercourse, or if the pain doesn't disappear after intercourse or is so severe that you need painkillers. In rare cases, gynecological diseases can restrict the movement of the ovaries, for example scar tissue, cysts, or endometriosis.