Experiencing Pain During Intercourse

I know *exactly* what you're dealing with--I'm going through the same thing. My daughter is now 21 months. I finally found something that works. Don't laugh--I had to go to Starship and buy some lubricant. I was told to get some called Eros, but the sales associate pointed me at some other stuff. I can't think of the name right now. In any case, it's not the oil-based stuff they sell at grocery stores that breaks down while you're being intimate. Instead, this stuff stays with you and your partner. It doesn't feel as greasy and doesn't leave you wanting to run for the shower as soon as you're finished. I would suggest making sure, at least the first few times, that both you and your husband are "well greased".

Good luck! And take it slow. These things take time to get back to normal.

-Jen

Are you breast feeding? If you are, it is common to have a severely decreased level of estrogen which can make intercourse extremely painful. If this is the case for you, the doctor will have to proscribe vaginal estrogen which you apply in the same way as medicine for a yeast infection. I would recommend not waiting the six weeks to see your doctor, as it can take a while for the medicine to kick in. Hope this helps.

Hi E. don't know about this but figured I would just put it out there- but what type of birth control methods are you currently using?
Before I had my twins I was on the Depo-shot and had no issues with it until about a year into. All of a sudden when my hubby and I would have intercourse I experienced pain he actually had to enter in at a certain direction because if he didn't I would literally scream in severe pain. I went to the Ob to make sure I didn't have any other issue going on and he simply shrugged his shoulders and stated we needed more lubrication. Well the problem continued and I finally decided to go off of the Depo shot and try a different birth control. As soon as that stuff got out of my system-the problem went away completely. Now some people may argue and say that couldn't be the cause but I swear that it was....just thought I would put this one out there as a possiability for your situation. However, I know that your situation might be entirely different due to the fact that you had a child, but also remember that it takes time for a womans body to go back to what it was-if ever. That is exactly why they say to wait a year before you get pregnant again. Good luck!

More lubricant may be needed, as already suggested. However if it is due to scar tissue using MSM, vitamin C, aloe vera, yarrow can all help with the scarification.

E.,
Thanks for posting this question. I've had pain during sex too since my twins were born and they're almost 2 years old now. I'm so happy to learn I'm not the only person with this experience and that for many it's gotten better over time but might take a few years. My ob/gyn repored I was 'good to go' at my post partum check-up (3 weeks after delivery) but I'm still in pain quite a while later so I was feeling a little crazy.

I had a c-section but I was pretty confident this problem wasn't related to that - a twin pregnancy was likely the bigger factor. I did see my ob/gyn about this a few months ago and she did a pelvic exam and an ultrasound. Both tests didn't indicate any problems (i.e. - polyps, endo, etc.) so it seems the problem is just pregnancy recovery. To help relieve the pain she recommended a good lubricant (i.e. - non oil based) and Motrin - take is 45 min to an hour before sex.

Definitely check with your doctor and make sure you have good lubrication - sometimes the tightness causes additional friction, which can be painful.

Don't hesitate to call your doctor's office before your appointment to ask your questions!

Many men secretly worry about the opposite, as most women who have a vaginal delivery end up rather stretched out down there and have to do Kegels and such to get things back somewhat to normal. However, if you tore or especially if you had an epsiotomy during birth and were stiched up, sometimes the Dr. stiches things up too tightly. Some idiot male Drs actually do this thinking they are doing the couple a favor by putting things "back" shall we say. If this is what happened to you the only solution is for them to go back there, usually with local anesthetic and snip a small cut to widen. You can also try stretching the area, like in the stretching exercises in "Intended for Pleasure" which are generally used for before a woman's first time. If your Dr blows you off or acts like you just need more lube or some such thing, then find another Dr! It isn't uncommon to end up stiched a bit too tight, the degree of it will decide how it needs to be dealt with if this is the problem you are having.

Hi E.,
I see that you say you are going back to the Dr. in 6 weeks.When was your last pap? I would call you Dr. and get check out. I also had this problem and my Dr. told me that my husband was to big for me. Well I will not scar you ,but that was not the reason. Not saying what was going on with me is what is going on with you,but to be safe I would call them. One more question are you having bleeding after sex? If so that is not normal nor is the pain. If you need question answered please email me and I will be happy to answer them. I hope this helps a little. Dottie

If you tore during labor, have him check for scar tissue. If that is what it is, the only option I was given was to scrape it to try and smooth that area. I opted not and we just found a different position that was comfortable for me. I did try a cream once that was supposed to "plump" that area, but well....it was just gross. LOL