Engaging in intercourse signals powerful messages to the brain and decreases the recognition of pain. It gives you a short-term solution for specific muscle and joint issues, permitting you to have a positive experience. However, sex is not the cure for painful conditions.

Sometimes sex itself can be a source of pain. If you are not finding pleasure in your sexual encounters, and they often result in a sore penis, what actions can you take? Is it something you should worry about?

In this article, we take a look at the primary explanations behind why a person’s penis may be sore post-intercourse and address the issue of “What is causing this post-intercourse pain?”. We let you know when a situation may be cause for worry and provide steps to take.

6 Causes of a Sore Penis After Sex

Here is our list of the primary 6 sources of aching penises following sexual activity. As we explain each one, we will present you with criteria to identify them by.

Bear in mind that a medical professional should make the ultimate decision regarding the diagnosis. The most important causes of a sore penis include:

1) Insufficient lubrication

The most widespread and reversible source of a tender penis after sexual intercourse is this. The origin of soreness is connected to perpetual abrasion and degeneration of the skin. Take note that the foreskin and other tissue are especially delicate.

The epidermal layer is delicate and can be impacted by sexual abrasion. If your sexual partner’s natural lubrication is not enough, it may lead to discomfort for both of you.

The friction created by the movement of intercourse can erode the top layer of the penile skin, causing pain to the mucosal layer of the partner. In both anal and vaginal intercourse, the skin can become irritated for some time.

This feeling typically includes tenderness, flaking skin or scales, splits in your penile skin, and inflammation. Sexual intercourse can cause itchiness and may lead to bleeding afterward. This will be over in a short amount of time, and you should return to normal after just one day.

2) Sexually transmitted infections

We should always investigate the possibility of a sexually transmitted infection in males who are sexually active. There are a lot of them, and some might make the penis more sensitive or cause pain after intercourse. Genital herpes is a frequent source of irritation before, during, and following sexual activity.

We can also rule out gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Various symptoms usually accompany these ailments. Symptoms of this condition might be excessive urethral emissions, sores, and bumps on the penis, itchiness, discomfort during an erection, and feelings of burning when passing urine.

3) Phimosis and paraphimosis

If your foreskin cannot be retracted, and the head of the penis is only seen rarely, this is likely a case of phimosis. This is generally associated with excessive foreskin and affects males who have never gone through a circumcision procedure.

The skin is too constricting and cannot be stretched, which could potentially cause an infection of the glans. The foreskin can be harshly pulled during sex, resulting in inflammation and discomfort.

Moreover, people with phimosis could end up with paraphimosis. In the condition known as paraphimosis, the foreskin is pulled back during sexual activity. It is still very close-fitting and gets lodged at the end of your penis. This causes swelling and may turn into an emergency. The blood flow in the penis can be impeded, and in extreme cases, it could cause tissue death.

4) Vigorous or prolonged sex

Paraphimosis is a consequence of having the foreskin forcibly pulled back. It is more probable that this will take place when you engage in passionate lovemaking. Even in a male who has been circumcised, strong movements during sexual activity can be unpleasant for both people involved.

During intercourse, you may not experience any discomfort. Once you have finished and your body returns to a state of equilibrium, you could then endure feeling achy.

Prolonged sex also leads to soreness in your penis. Keep in mind that an erection is created by the retaining of blood in the penis. The corpus cavernosa holds it, and extended arousal causes damage to the tissue.

Aside from feeling discomfort in the penis, you might also experience a condition known as blue balls or epididymal hypertension. In these instances, you may have tenderness and pain in your penis and testicles.

5) Allergy to the lubricant or condom.

Be aware if you recently began utilizing a different item to engage in sexual activity with your significant other. This involves using a lubricant, putting on latex condoms, or utilizing a sex toy. Remember that you may be allergic to one of the ingredients of the product or a substance that it releases.

If you have allergies, you will experience additional symptoms. There can be manifestations such as having an flushed appearance, skin irritation and tickling, as well as in some cases, vesicles with liquid or a hardened epidermis. This type of allergy is irritant contact dermatitis. Usually the best way to handle the issue is to avoid the source of the allergy and take an antiallergic that can be purchased without a prescription. It takes some time for a situation to get better, and it typically is not an urgent matter.

6) Yeast infection

The yeast Candida is commonly found on the surface of the glans. The presence of fungus on the glans is a normal occurrence, and the body is able to cope with it, so it will not expand. Generally, an excess of the fungus is the primary cause of an infection of the penis by yeast.

Individuals who possess a weakened immune system or are on immunosuppressive medications such as steroids are likely to experience this condition. Medical professionals should take into account the level of hygiene of certain patients when making diagnoses. Yeast infections share many characteristics with sexually transmitted illnesses.

Swelling of the penis, as well as a release of fluid from the urethra, irritation, skin eruption, and other indications, are all brought on by it. The only course of action for resolving the issue is to obtain a therapy prescribed by your physician based on your indications and tests.

Natural Remedies for Relief

Most cases of penile pain or tenderness following intercourse can be relieved with home remedies and over-the-counter drugs. Some of the things on the list necessitate medical help.

The most appropriate natural remedies include:

• Using a cold compress: In other words, apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the painful area. You shouldn’t use ice directly on your skin.
• Changing your underwear: Very tight pants or underwear can increase friction and worsen the problem. We also recommend cotton underwear because it is breathable and less likely to cause allergies.
• Reduce sexual activity: We also recommend taking a short break from sex until you fully recover.

9 Common Culprits of Pain After Sex in Women and How to Resolve Each One

1) Vaginal dryness

A vagina that is not sufficiently lubricated can cause friction during intercourse, which may cause discomfort afterward. The amount of moisture in your vagina will rely on variables such as what period of your menstrual cycle or menopause you are at, the food and drinks you take in, and how well you sleep. If someone engages in sexual intercourse too quickly, they could be faced with a dry spell afterward.

Treatment: Arousing outer play and lubricant are your BFFs here. When it comes to selecting a lubricant, silicone-based should be your go-to: It offers the slickest experience and is the least likely to result in any reactions as it does not get absorbed into the vagina. Don’t be scared to get physical and demonstrate to your significant other how to arouse you.

2) Pelvic-floor muscle dysfunction

The pelvic floor muscles, stretching from the pubic bone to the tailbone, play a substantial part during sexual intercourse requiring them to stretch or rest to permit penetration of the vaginal canal, according to Marcy Crouch, DPT, pelvic-floor physical therapist. If the muscles inside the pelvic region are too tense, exist in a state of cramping, or are constantly keeping contracting, then it will be very hard to engage in sexual activity or cause discomfort when doing so. She states that depending on the condition of the muscles, the pain could persist for several hours or even days.

The aim is to release the muscles of the pelvic region, which Dr. Crouch believes could be attained through diaphragmatic breathing, going into a deep squat, or trying out the “happy baby” yoga pose. In general, the most effective way of managing the situation is to consult a specialist in the area of the pelvic floor to create a plan of action. The professionals can provide information on the best pelvic-floor stretches and exercises for your case after evaluating your pelvic floor through the help of a biofeedback device.

3) An acute infection

No matter if it’s yeast or bacteria that is causing it (i.e. sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia and gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, or a urinary tract infection), any type of infection in the genital area can result in discomfort after engaging in sexual activity. Dr. Crouch states that if the pain comes on quickly, is getting worse fast, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or body aches, an infection is likely the cause. It is essential to take immediate action if a symptom of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is present, as an untreated STI can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This is an infection of the female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, and is usually accompanied by bleeding, an excessive amount of discharge, and fever.

If you are experiencing symptoms you have never had before, it is important to seek medical advice from a doctor to identify the cause of the infection, suggests Monique White-Dominguez, DO, the leader of the Sexual Health program at Sameday Health. Generally, medical management of the infection is typically comprised of either an anti-fungal or an antibiotic, dependent upon the type of infection. Dr. Ross suggests getting a screening for sexually transmitted diseases between different intimate encounters with different people.

4) Menopause

At this point in life, a decrease in estrogen levels can produce vaginal dryness or the degradation of the vaginal walls, which is known as vulvovaginal atrophy, according to Dr. White-Dominguez. Either situation may cause pain with sexual intercourse that persists after the sexual activity is concluded.

Discuss with your physician about topical estrogen or pills with Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) which is a hormone that increases the body’s production of both estrogen and testosterone. If you would like to consider a medication-free solution, Dr. Ross recommends the MonaLisa Touch. This is a quick take-care-of procedure that utilizes laser power to energize the walls of the vagina.

5) Penis size

It appears that it is possible to possess too much “dick energy”, a factor that may be linked to feeling pain after intercourse. One should not assume that having a large penis is necessarily advantageous when it comes to vaginal intercourse, as a penis that is too long or thick can actually be uncomfortable for the vagina to accommodate.

This situation does not have to be viewed as a problem that cannot be solved—just go slowly when you are with someone who is well-endowed. The stretchability of the vagina changes depending on the dimensions of the penis. It might take some time, forbearance, a lubricant, and a great deal of communication that is frank and honest. What can be done when the problem is the length rather than the circumference? Toys that hug the shaft of the penis and leave less space available for penetration are called penis bumper toys.

6) Latex allergy

If you are hypersensitive to latex, intercourse using a condom containing the material can bring about vaginal swelling, discomfort, and pain post-intercourse and may continue for up to 36 hours after. It should be observed that this type of allergy can come on gradually. Even if you have been relying on latex condoms for a considerable amount of time, you may discover that you have developed an allergy to them.

You may require a non-prescription antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream to take care of an ongoing reaction. To avoid such an incident in the future, consider using a polyurethane condom, which is made of plastic. Be aware: As they do not possess the same degree of elasticity as latex, they can be more prone to slipping off or tearing during intercourse.

7) Ruptured ovarian cyst

If your body is going through the process of ovulation, likely the egg is ready to be let out due to the presence of a large cyst on the ovary. Rough and tumble intimate interactions, physical activity, or an unexpected rupture can cause the cyst to emancipate its liquid and the egg inside, which will generate notable discomfort.

Although it might sound alarming, mittelschmerz is, in fact, a physiological phenomenon that is quite common. It is advisable to seek advice from your physician and undertake a pelvic ultrasound to ascertain this diagnosis.

8) Certain sex positions

It is customary to feel some distress after performing the activity in specific postures. In doggie style, the uterus and ovaries may experience more significant pressure since it permits a more profound penetration than missionary. In addition, some of the more physically challenging sexual positions- such as reverse cow-rider or sitting 69- may end up leaving you with soreness in other areas of your body, such as your buttocks or inner leg muscles.

Healing: Discomfort associated with a particular intimate act will likely fade away by itself. To avoid the same issue in the future, spend time learning about your body to discover which postures you’re able to maintain without difficulty and avoid any that cause even the smallest amount of discomfort.

9) Breastfeeding

For new mothers, breastfeeding could be the cause of their problems. When a person is nursing, estrogen levels decrease to encourage milk production, similar to menopause. A decrease in estrogen might reduce your sexual drive, natural lubrication, and circulation in your intimate area, resulting in a situation favorable for pain before and after engaging in intercourse.

Navigating the physical and emotional complexities of breastfeeding gets better as time goes on. At present, applying a bit more lubricant should solve the problem.

Conclusion

In the majority of instances, discomfort following intercourse is a result of penis abrasion caused by the inadequate climax. It is possible to experience uncomfortable erections over an extended period or when engaging in energetic sexual activity. If you experienced this after trying out a brand new product pertaining to sexual activity, it would be wise to eliminate the possibility of an allergic reaction.

If you have not had the procedure of circumcision, it is a good idea to check for phimosis or paraphimosis. Your doctor should eliminate the possibility of contagious and inflammatory illnesses like yeast infections, UTIs, prostatitis, and STDs. It is advisable to talk to a medical expert if you experience significant, ongoing, or frequent pain while engaging in intercourse.