Discomfort During Intercourse While Pregnant

Discomfort while having sex when one is pregnant is not uncommon. Studies have shown that about  three to eighteen percent of pregnant women experience discomfort when they are pregnant. The discomfort could occur either during sexual intercourse, or following sex. In order to assist anyone who is pregnant and may be experiencing discomfort during intercourse, we shall outline the causes and make some suggestions on how you can manage it, for your consideration.

What Causes Discomfort During Sex While Pregnant?

The root cause of discomfort while having sex when a person is pregnant is mainly due to the hormonal and physical changes brought about by pregnancy. These changes have an impact on sexual desire, as well as sexual function. As a result, sexual intimacy can in turn become problematic. Aside from physical and hormonal changes, medical issues can also contribute to this discomfort. These would need proper diagnosis and treatment to manage. A few of the reasons sex can be uncomfortable when a person is pregnant are:

Anxiety

There are many sources and causes of anxiety when one is pregnant and they vary from one person to another. However, if anxiety is not managed as pregnancy progresses, it does have a negative impact on sexual function. Unmanaged anxiety can even cause a person to find sexual intimacy unpleasant. It is not uncommon for a pregnant person or their partner to feel nervous about hurting the baby. It may be reassuring to know that the baby is perfectly safe while in the womb, and sex will not cause any harm. So one should feel free to enjoy sex even up to the weeks leading up to delivery.

Increased Sensitivity

Due to the increased blood flow that pregnancy causes, one may experience sensitivity around their breasts or pelvic region. This sensitivity for some people is a very positive thing, with their libido being heightened. For others it is negative, where one feels discomfort when touched intimately causing them to avoid sexual activity altogether.

Vaginal Dryness

Typically, when blood flow increases around the pelvic region, it results in increased lubrication in the vaginal region. However, when one is pregnant, hormonal fluctuation is also at play, which can cause a person to have vaginal dryness, even with the increased blood flow. Whereas vaginal dryness can cause not just discomfort, but outright pain, the bright side of this symptom is that the use of vaginal moisturisers and lubricants can help to reduce the discomfort. 

Infection

Infections can be risky to a pregnant person because they could potentially have a negative impact even on the unborn child. Infections such as yeast and urinary tract infections, as well as bacterial vaginosis can become life-threatening if they are not property addressed in time. Urinary tract infections during pregnancy are the cause of 10 percent of the deaths all over the world. The typical indicators of infection are a burning or itching sensation when peeing, having cloudy urine, smelly urine, and even pain around the kidneys or lower back. For these, one should go and see a doctor right away to get treatment. Usually antibiotics will be prescribed for bladder infections.  

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids affect between 25 to 35 percent of pregnant people especially when they are in their third trimester. This happens because of the increased blood flow around the pelvis, and the veins that are around the anus or rectum get inflamed and become swollen. They create discomfort and cause pain, particularly when one has sex. Breaking away from penetrative sex may give the hemorrhoids time to clear, but if this does not help, then it is advisable to seek medical advice. 

Your Belly

A growing belly is unavoidable when one is pregnant. Although it may not cause pain during sexual intercourse, it may impact sexual positions. Some positions may become more challenging to sustain, and familiar positions may in addition become difficult to get into. This however, is not permanent, and it may be a great opportunity to explore new positions. It must be said that one must avoid sexual positions that may put weight on the belly. 

Ectopic Pregnancy

Typically, a fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube to implant into the uterine wall. When the embryo implants itself within the fallopian tube, it is medically known as an ectopic pregnancy. These are high-risk, life-threatening pregnancies because if they are not addressed right away, they could cause the fallopian tube to rupture, and cause the pregnant person to die. 

The silver lining on this is that ectopic pregnancies have symptoms which include pelvic or abdominal pain, lower back pain, and sometimes neck or shoulder pain. This pain could present as mild and intermittent, or as sharp and persistent. One may also experience dizziness, feeling faint, heavy bleeding and symptoms of shock. Due to the fact that pregnancy in general is not a painful experience, these symptoms are cause for immediate medical attention.  

How to Prevent Discomfort During Sex When Pregnant

Pregnancy can cause a person’s sexual needs to change, and openly communication with one’s partner is crucial in creating the understanding required to ensure that each one’s sexual needs are met. While discomfort or pain might affect sexual desire, it is possible to adapt new ways of intimacy such as taking breaks during sex if the discomfort is too much, or slowing things down. As well, there are different adjustments that can be made to ensure the continuity of intimacy, such as:

• Using pillows for support
• Using lubricants for vaginal dryness
• Having sex in positions that allow the pregnant partner to be on top
• Using alternative ways for intimacy such as mutual massages, or oral sex. 

When to Talk to Your Doctor About Painful Sex During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and experience any of the below symptoms, seek medical care immediately: 

• Lower back pain
• Pain around the kidneys
• Pain that is accompanied by consistent bleeding
• Itching or a burning sensation while urinating

If however you are not certain, or you are experiencing symptoms that are on the milder side, it is still prudent to see a professional healthcare provider, if anything, to rule out and treat infections.

In conclusion

Despite the array of discomforts pregnancy may bring, one can still have sex by adopting different strategies, and getting medical care where needed. Open communication cannot be overstated during pregnancy, as it allows a couple to continue to enjoy intimacy, even as they walk the journey of family building together. Concerning symptoms must be attended to by a healthcare provider as soon as possible to prevent any harm from coming to you or your unborn child. For further support, contact the Ivy Fertility experts at any of our locations across the country.