What should you know about liking pain during sex?

Pain may occur at the vaginal opening, deeper in the pelvis, during penetration, or after sex. Dryness, irritation, pelvic-floor muscle tightening, infection, skin conditions, endometriosis, ovarian endometrioma, or changes linked with menopause can contribute. Conditions such as [Vulvodynia](/conditions/vulvodynia/) and [Lichen Sclerosus](/conditions/lichen-sclerosus/) can cause surface pain, while [Endometriosis](/conditions/endometriosis/) and [Ovarian Endometrioma](/conditions/ovarian-endometrioma/) may contribute to deeper pain.

The experience can also affect desire, sleep, relationships, and confidence. Pain is real even when an examination looks normal, and a clinician can consider physical, hormonal, medication-related, and emotional factors together.

Pause or change any activity that hurts. Write down where the pain occurs, whether it is linked with your cycle, dryness, bleeding, discharge, urinary symptoms, or bowel symptoms. A water-based lubricant, more time for arousal, and positions that allow you to control depth may reduce friction, but ongoing pain still merits assessment.

A pelvic examination, swabs, or imaging may be offered according to your symptoms. Pelvic-floor therapy, treatment for infection or skin disease, and hormone-related care are different options for different causes. [Pain During Sex](/symptoms/pain-during-sex/) provides a broader symptom overview.

Book a medical appointment if pain persists, returns, limits intimacy, or comes with bleeding, unusual discharge, itching, urinary symptoms, or pelvic pain. Seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening pain, fever, fainting, heavy bleeding, or possible pregnancy with pain. Pain with fever or discharge can occur with [Pelvic Inflammatory Disease](/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/) and should be assessed promptly.

Ask whether the pain pattern suggests irritation, muscle tension, infection, or a pelvic condition; which examination or tests are appropriate; and what treatment can protect comfort during recovery. If endometriosis is suspected, ask whether [Laparoscopic Excision of Endometriosis](/treatments/gynaecological-surgery/laparoscopic-excision-of-endometriosis/) is relevant to your situation.