TRACE SEXUAL PAIN
What Causes My Pain?
By identifying where the pain or discomfort is located in your pelvis, you can get closer to trace sexual pain.
It is important to emphasize that only your doctor can make a definitive diagnosis. This guide is intended solely as a tool to provide you with insights into possible causes before your doctor’s visit.
Note: It is not uncommon to have more than one issue in the lower abdomen. For example, a pain condition can trigger tension in the pelvic floor, and a tight pelvic floor can cause constipation—a sort of domino effect.
Below, you will find typical correlations between pain, location, and possible causes. This can help you achieve a quicker and more accurate diagnosis from your doctor.
Important Information:
- The list is not exhaustive.
- The descriptions are indicative.
- This guide cannot be used for self-diagnosis.
- Always consult your doctor for a professional assessment.
Consider These Questions to Find Out: What Causes My Pain
Before visiting your doctor, it may be helpful to reflect on the following:
- What triggers your symptoms?
- Where is the pain located?
- Does the pain or discomfort occur when a specific area is touched?
- Does the pain come on suddenly, or is it constant?
- How would you describe the pain? Is it stinging, itching, burning—or something entirely different?
Pain in the Vulvar Area (from Clitoris to Anus)
Causes Related to Itching and Burning Sensation
Vulvovaginal Dryness
- Symptoms: Itching, stinging, burning in or just outside the vagina.
Yeast Infection
- Symptoms: Itching, burning, cottage cheese-like discharge without odor changes.
Bacterial Vaginosis
- Symptoms: Sensitive skin, itching, thin and differently smelling discharge.
Lichen Sclerosus
- Symptoms: Itching, burning, irritation, thin or thickened skin, white spots or patches, narrowing at the vaginal entrance, smoothing of the labia, tissue tears easily.
Lichen Planus
- Symptoms: Similar to the above; can occur in the vagina, cause bloody discharge, and mouth issues.
Contact Allergy/Eczema
- Symptoms: Stinging, itching, warmth, inflammation/swelling, redness.
Scar Tissue
- Symptoms: Shiny skin, sometimes wrinkled at the edges; looks different from surrounding skin.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Examples: Herpes, genital warts, chlamydia.
- Symptoms: Vary but can include itching, pain, and rash.
Female Genital Mutilation
- Symptoms: Scar tissue, severed nerves, nerves blocked by scar tissue.
Other Issues
Muscle Cramps
- Symptoms: Painful muscle tension, soreness, or tightness.
Pinched Nerve
- Symptoms: Sharp, shooting pain; most painful when sitting; pain eases when standing up.
Vulvodynia
- Symptoms: Severe, burning, cutting pain.
Infection of Bartholin’s Glands
- Symptoms: Irritation or swelling of the glands; may cause pain during intercourse; pain can occur during intercourse due to friction.
Pain at and in the Entrance of the Vagina
Vaginismus
- Symptoms: Involuntary muscle contractions upon penetration or attempt; can feel like a wall 1–2 cm inside the vagina.
Muscle Tension
- Symptoms: Tight muscles that cannot relax; feels like a fist held tightly.
Myofascial Trigger Points
- Symptoms: A painful spot that feels like a bruise.
Scar Tissue
- Symptoms: Can occur after inflammation, surgery, or childbirth; experienced as tingling, numbness, or increased sensitivity.
Scar Tissue Strands
- Symptoms: Thin strands of scar tissue along or over the vaginal wall; can feel like a scrape when stretched or broken.
Vulvar/Vaginal Dryness
- Symptoms: Itching, burning, and lack of lubrication.
Fissures in the Vulva or Delicate Skin
- Symptoms: Cracks in the skin; feels like a cut or scrape; deeper tissues may be irritated by friction.
Infection of Bartholin’s Glands
- Symptoms: Irritation and swelling; pain during intercourse; pain can occur during intercourse due to friction.
Annular Tissue Structure at the Beginning of the Vagina (Hymenal Pain)
- Symptoms: Pain at the transition to the vaginal opening during intercourse.
Lichen Sclerosus
- Symptoms: Narrowed vagina; skin tears easily.
Female Genital Mutilation of Labia
- Symptoms: Scar tissue issues and nerve pain.
Pain in the Clitoris
Lichen Sclerosus and Lichen Planus
- Symptoms: Scar tissue closes over the clitoris.
Scar Tissue
- Symptoms: Pain due to scarring in an area with many nerves.
Compressed Nerve
- Symptoms: Pain from nerves near or in the clitoris that are pinched.
Female Genital Mutilation
- Symptoms: Scar tissue, nerve pain.
Genital Herpes
- Symptoms: Pain near the clitoris, even without outbreaks; pain may intensify during an outbreak or when one is imminent.
Pain in the Vagina
Yeast Infection
- Symptoms: Burning sensation, cottage cheese-like discharge, no odor change.
Muscle Tension
- Symptoms: Tight pelvic floor muscles; pain slightly up in the vagina; can also cause back and lower back pain.
Myofascial Trigger Points
- Symptoms: A single painful spot in the vagina; feels like a bruise.
Vaginismus
- Symptoms: Involuntary muscle contractions.
Intestinal Problems
- Symptoms: Penetration issues; pain can be hard to locate due to the proximity of the intestines to the vagina.
Bladder and Urinary Tract Issues
- Symptoms: Similar to intestinal problems but in the front part of the vagina; could be interstitial cystitis (chronic bladder irritation).
Endometriosis
- Symptoms: Pain worsens during menstruation; stomach and pelvic pain often occur.
Lichen Planus
- Symptoms: Itching and irritation in the vagina; can cause bloody discharge.
Vaginal Dryness
- Symptoms: Pain and discomfort due to friction in the vagina; can occur during intercourse and walking.
Scar Tissue and Scar Tissue Strands
- Symptoms: Can occur after surgery, childbirth, radiation therapy, tears, or inflammation; vaginal wall may feel fixed.
Deep Vaginal Pelvic Pain
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Symptoms: May be triggered by chlamydia.
Tight Psoas Muscle (Hip Flexor)
- Symptoms: Pain deep inside the vagina, typically on the sides.
Trichomoniasis or Gonorrhea
- Symptoms: Itching, foul-smelling discharge (yellow/green), painful urination, pain during sex.
Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
- Symptoms: Varying mild to severe pain in the bladder or pelvic region; sex and menstruation can worsen the pain.
Endometriosis
- Symptoms: Pain in the rectum, pelvis, vagina, lower abdomen, and lower back; can occur during bowel movements or sex; often sharp pain.
Intestinal Problems
- Symptoms: Discomfort and pain; worsens during sex; can include muscle spasms and cramps.
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
- Symptoms: May cause cramping and lower abdominal pain; contact a doctor if the pain lasts more than a few days.
Cysts
- Symptoms: Pain if they rupture; cysts typically sit on the ovaries.
Fibroids
- Symptoms: Pain depends on size and location; especially during deep penetration.
Scar Tissue
- Symptoms: Pain during sex when scar tissue or scar tissue strands are stretched; can feel like a small scrape.
Ovulation
- Symptoms: Pain during ovulation; can worsen during sex.
Pain After Sex
Intestinal Issues
- Symptoms: Pain can last for hours or days after intercourse.
Bladder Issues
- Symptoms: Sex can worsen bladder problems and cause infection.
Muscle Cramps
- Symptoms: Muscles can cramp after sex; lack of oxygen can cause them to become acidic.
Skin Tears
- Symptoms: Tissue can tear; pain continues for some time.
Mucous Membrane Problems
- Symptoms: Dry friction can cause burn-like sores; use of lubricant is recommended.
Infections
- Symptoms: Bacterial imbalance can be painful; delicate mucous membranes can easily get infected.
Endometriosis
- Symptoms: Sexual activity can worsen the pain.
Preparing for the Doctor’s Visit to Trace Sexual Pain
To prepare yourself for visiting the doctor with the aim to “Trace sexual pain”, you can read the following articles:
Remember, this guide does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for a correct diagnosis and treatment.