"Sex Hurts, What Do I Do?"

Q: Lately I've found it can be painful to have sex. Is this because I'm not turned on, or is there a more serious cause?

A: Pain during sex is quite common. In fact, most of us will have at least one experience where our "ooohs" are replaced with "ouch!" For instance, during the middle of your cycle, when you are ovulating and your ovary is swollen and tender, the penis may push against it and cause discomfort, especially when penetration is deep. (You may feel similar discomfort just before or after your period.) Switching to a position where penetration's not as deep — try lying on your sides, face-to-face — should solve the problem.

The most common cause of painful sex, though, is vaginal dryness. When you become aroused, your vagina "sweats" a slippery fluid that makes intercourse easy and pleasurable. When you do not produce enough fluid, you have two dry surfaces (a dry penis and a dry vagina) rubbing against each other — causing friction, heat, and burning. The resulting pain can last for hours, or sometimes days. Dryness most commonly occurs when we do not get enough foreplay, which gives your vagina the time it needs to lubricate and become longer and wider at the top, making insertion and movement of the penis easier. Women often need more time to become aroused after they've been in a relationship for a while.....
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