What if it hurts to have sex?

Sex should ideally be consensual, pleasurable and fun, but painful or just uncomfortable penetration can happen for a number of physical and psychological reasons. It doesn’t always represent something bad or that something is wrong. But, once you start worrying about pain and being anxious about it, it’s more likely to be uncomfortable the next time. 

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If you’re consistently experiencing pain or discomfort during sex, you can talk to someone on the Caraway Care Team to explore what may be going on for you. Our collaborative care team - with both physical and mental health clinicians - is the perfect starting place to figure this out. In the meantime, you can also have fun and rewarding intimate experiences without penetration - so if pain, or anticipating pain, is ruining the mood, try something else!

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Reviewed by Sara Levine, MD, MPH, FAAP, Medical Director of Adolescent Medicine and Marissa Branson, LCSW, Mental Health Therapist

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References:

1. Hill, D. A., & Taylor, C. A. (2021). Dyspareunia in Women. American family physician, 103(10), 597–604.

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