Abdominal pain and pain during intercourse

Pain at the vaginal opening differs from pain felt deep in the pelvis or abdomen. Its location, timing, relation to the menstrual cycle, and accompanying bleeding or discharge help guide the assessment.

Surface pain may occur with dryness, irritation, infection, skin conditions, or tightening of the pelvic floor muscles. Deep pain can be linked with pelvic infection, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, bladder or bowel problems, scar tissue, or changes after childbirth or surgery. More than one factor can contribute.

The pain is real even when anxiety, anticipation, or past painful experiences make muscle tension worse. A respectful assessment should consider physical symptoms, comfort, sexual wellbeing, medicines, contraception, and pregnancy possibility without assuming a single explanation.

Stop any activity that hurts; you do not need to push through pain. A water-based lubricant, more time for arousal, and positions that let you control depth may reduce discomfort when dryness or deep pressure contributes. Avoid scented washes or internal cleansing products if irritation is present.

Write down whether pain occurs at entry, with deeper penetration, afterwards, or at a particular point in your cycle. Include bleeding, unusual discharge, urinary symptoms, bowel symptoms, fever, and contraception. A clinician may suggest an abdominal or pelvic examination, infection testing, imaging, or pelvic-floor assessment depending on the findings; you can request a chaperone and pause the examination at any time.

Seek urgent care for sudden severe lower abdominal or pelvic pain, fainting, dizziness, shoulder-tip pain, heavy bleeding, fever with worsening pain, repeated vomiting, or pain when pregnancy is possible. These features can require time-sensitive examination.

Arrange a routine appointment for pain that recurs, affects intimacy, continues after intercourse, or occurs with abnormal bleeding, discharge, urinary problems, bowel changes, or painful periods. Seek support as well if intercourse is unwanted, pressured, or unsafe.

Ask which causes fit the location and timing, whether infection or pregnancy testing is appropriate, what an examination would involve, and whether pelvic-floor physiotherapy or another referral may help. You can also ask how to manage symptoms while the cause is being investigated.