What should you know about lower right abdomen pain during sex?

Deep penetration can put pressure on the cervix, uterus, ovary or pelvic-floor muscles and produce pain on the right. Endometriosis or an ovarian endometrioma may cause deep, cycle-linked pelvic pain. Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause pelvic tenderness with discharge, fever or bleeding. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause may cause dryness and tissue sensitivity, while lichen sclerosus and vulvodynia can cause pain around the vulva. Bowel, urinary and abdominal causes are also possible. The right-sided location does not identify one diagnosis, and the appendix is another reason sudden worsening right-sided pain should not be ignored.

Stop if pain starts and note whether it is deep, at the entrance, position-dependent or linked with your cycle. Track bleeding, discharge, fever, urinary burning, bowel changes and pain outside sex. Lubricant, slower movement and positions that limit depth may help when dryness or pressure contributes, but they should not replace assessment of recurring pain. Arrange an appointment if the symptom returns, limits intimacy, follows menopause or occurs with other pelvic symptoms. A clinician can decide whether examination, infection testing, pregnancy testing or imaging is needed.

Get urgent medical care for sudden severe right-sided pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, fever, persistent vomiting, a hard or very tender abdomen, or pain when pregnancy is possible. Seek prompt review for steadily worsening pain, new discharge, bleeding after sex, urinary pain or pain that continues after intercourse. These features can signal a problem needing timely treatment.

Does the pain seem superficial or deep? Could its cycle pattern suggest endometriosis or an endometrioma? Should infection, pregnancy or abdominal causes be tested? Which symptoms mean I should seek emergency care?