Discomfort During Intercourse While Pregnant

Pregnancy comes with a lot of changes. Some women enjoy a seamless pregnancy, while others face different aches, pains, and discomforts. These changes can significantly affect one’s daily activities, including sex. For many women, the libido may be low, and even when it’s in plenty, this discomfort can prevent one from enjoying sex. 

Key Takeaways

• It’s totally safe in most cases to remain sexually active throughout pregnancy, although there will be times when intercourse is uncomfortable or painful while pregnant.
• Things like changing positions and experimenting with new types of foreplay and physical intimacy can help relieve discomfort in many cases.
• If you experience severe pain, bleeding, itching, and burning while urinating, contact a doctor right away to identify the cause and ensure it’s not something that could endanger you or the pregnancy.

Causes Discomfort During Sex While Pregnant

Pregnancy itself can be quite uncomfortable, and for some women, this can get worse when sex is added into the mix. Your body is going through significant changes, and sex can be negatively affected. While some forms of discomfort during sex are part of the pregnancy, other aches and pains can signal a serious issue that needs medical attention. 

Anxiety

Anxiety in pregnancy can be due to a variety of reasons. When you’re anxious, it is difficult to focus on sex. In different studies, it is evident that libido can decrease when a partner is extremely anxious. Especially as the third trimester progresses, this can be more pronounced if the pregnant partner struggled with infertility and conceived through assisted reproductive treatments.

If anxiety during pregnancy is having a serious effect on your life, sexually or otherwise, talk to your healthcare provider about strategies for addressing it. The compassionate healthcare professionals at NOVA IVF will walk with you and guide you on managing it and reducing its impact on your health and your pregnancy.

Belly Size

As your belly grows bigger, the more uncomfortable you can get during sex. Some sexual positions can become harder because of your growing belly, and some women do not like how they look. This makes it hard to enjoy sex. While sex is perfectly safe for the baby, even in the weeks leading up to delivery, you can avoid positions that put an excessive amount of weight on your stomach or any position that makes you uncomfortable. 

Increased Sensitivity

During pregnancy, any form of touch can make some women uncomfortable. Sensitivity can be attributed to the rise in blood flow to the breasts and pelvic region. This discomfort can make sex nearly impossible. Communicate openly with your partner during pregnancy, and let them know how you feel every step of the way. 

Hemorrhoids

According to the National Institute of Health, 25 to 35 percent of pregnant people get hemorrhoids at some point during their pregnancy. They can be more prevalent in the third trimester. Hemorrhoids, or piles, are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. They can be extremely painful, making sex uncomfortable or impossible, depending on where they are located. In some cases, you may need to put off sex until they clear up.

Vaginal Dryness

During pregnancy, progesterone levels are high. The purpose of this hormone is to thicken the uterine lining, suppress uterine contractions, and prepare the breasts for breastfeeding. This high level of progesterone can have a negative effect on some women causing vaginal dryness. 

Vaginal dryness impacts sex life, preventing you from enjoying sex as often as you’d like to. Thankfully, there is a wide variety of over-the-counter options available for lubricants that can reduce discomfort during intercourse.  

Headaches

Headaches during pregnancy are common, especially in the first trimester, when the biggest changes are happening in your body. Headaches can also be caused by an increase in your blood volume and even not getting enough fluids or rest.

Infection

Pain during sex when pregnant can also be an indication of an infection. Infections are the cause of more than 10 percent of pregnancy-related deaths worldwide, with nearly 30 percent of these infections originating in the urinary tract.

Any itching or burning during sex or urination, pain in the lower back or around the kidneys, or urine that is cloudy or has a particularly strong smell may indicate an infection that needs treatment. Most bladder infections can be cleared with a simple course of antibiotics, so it’s important to contact a healthcare professional swiftly to begin treatment early.

Pregnancy-related infections include:

• Urinary tract infection
• Yeast infections
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Sexually transmitted infections

Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy can cause discomfort during sex. An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants itself outside of the womb, typically in one of the fallopian tubes. If left untreated, an ectopic pregnancy can cause the fallopian tube to rupture.

Signs of an ectopic pregnancy include:

• Pelvic pain
• Unrelenting abdominal pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Pain in the shoulders and neck in some cases.
• Discomfort when peeing
• Lightheadedness or fainting

If the fallopian tube ruptures, your life can be in danger. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek a healthcare professional immediately.

Managing Painful Sex When Pregnant

The first thing you should do when facing any discomfort during sex is to talk with your partner and let them know when you’re feeling pain or are uncomfortable in any way. You can also manage discomfort by: 

• Using lubrication. Lubrication can go a long way to relieving discomfort caused by vaginal dryness. When getting a lubricant, choose a water-based one with scents to avoid getting a UTI. 
• Try different positions. This helps to reduce pressure on the stomach. Positions that can allow you to control the speed and intensity of intercourse. You can also take advantage of pillows to make certain positions easier or more comfortable. 

If sex is still painful, you can enjoy other forms of intimacy with your partner, like massages or oral sex. 

The Bottom Line

When it comes to pregnancy sex, it can be difficult to know what is a normal part of the pregnancy and what requires medical attention. In healthy pregnancies, sex is perfectly safe. However, when there’s any discomfort or pain during sex that doesn’t die down, it could be a sign of something more serious that needs to be addressed. If the pain is persistent or is accompanied by consistent bleeding, it’s time to talk to a healthcare professional.