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You are here: Cancer information / Diagnosis and treatment / Managing side effects / Painful intercourse

Painful Intercourse

Pain can reduce a person's desire to have sex. A person may also be afraid that sex will be painful. This can affect their ability to become aroused, may reduce the amount of natural lubrication and can lead to more pain and tension.

Causes of pain

Women may experience pain during intercourse (called dyspareunia) as a result of pelvic surgery or radiation therapy to the pelvic area. For example, these treatments can cause the vagina to become shorter or narrower in women. Some medications or other cancer treatments reduce the amount of natural moisture the vagina makes, so the vagina becomes dry. Vaginal dryness can also occur when a woman has menopausal symptoms, naturally or as a result of cancer treatment.

 

Sometimes if men have had radiation therapy to the lower pelvis, they may feel a sharp pain as they ejaculate. This occurs because the urethra becomes irritated by radiation, but it usually disappears within a few weeks after radiation therapy treatments have ended.

Management

There are some steps that can be taken to help reduce pain or painful intercourse.

  • Take pain-relieving medications before making love, if pain is a problem. Plan sexual activity for the time of day when there is the least pain.
  • Go slowly at first. Sometimes relaxation techniques, warm baths, massage or gentle touching may decrease pain or can be used to relax a partner or as foreplay.
  • Let a partner know what is painful and what positions are painful, so that you can both explore other positions or ways of making love that may be more comfortable. Side by side intercourse or other positions may reduce pressure or weight on a sore area, scar or stoma from an ostomy. Pillows and cushions can be used to help with comfort and support.
  • Deep pelvic thrusts may be painful, especially for women. Changes in position, such as the woman being on top, may provide more control over the depth of penetration.
  • Tell the doctor or healthcare team about pain or if sex is painful, so they can find out why and suggest possible solutions.

References

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