Dear Sexpert,
Lately when I have sex with my boyfriend it has been slightly painful. Is there a reason this might be happening? Is there anything I can do?
Sex can be painful for a variety of reasons. First, you should be aware of the amount of lubrication you body is producing. If your body hasn’t produced enough, penetration is going to feel rough and abrasive. You need to make sure you are fully aroused before the main event. This is especially important to consider after you have been drinking, as the body is unable to produce the same amount of lubrication as it can when you are sober. If you find that your body will not produce the amount you need, try a store-bought water-based lubricant.
A yeast infection is another reason sex may be uncomfortable. Yeast infections are very common and along with being incredibly itchy and irritating, they will cause the the vaginal opening to feel raw and sore. If you suspect you may have a yeast infection, get checked out by your doctor before you try any over-the-counter remedy.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and/or cervix that makes sex very painful. It is often brought on by an untreated sexually transmitted infection, such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. If you are experiencing this type of pain, see your doctor as soon as possible, as PID can result in infertility.
Another cause of pain during intercourse is the presence of uterine fibroids. Young women often experience these benign tumors, and if one has formed near your cervix then you will certainly notice pain during sex. Luckily, they are completely treatable and your doctor will be able to either remove them or shrink them with medication.
These are some possibilities, but you should seek professional medical advice for any unexplained pain during sex.
One more avenue to explore is the type of positions you are engaging in. Many women find that when their partner penetrates them from behind (doggie style), the penis rubs the cervix and can cause discomfort. This can be easily avoided by asking your partner to be gentler and to not enter the vaginal cavity completely.
With STIs lurking around every corner, it is very important to visit your doctor regularly for a complete physical. Make sure to update them with any changes in your sexual behavior and mention any pain or uncommon discharge you are experiencing.
I heard that it may be possible for men to have multiple orgasms, is this true?
It has been cited in some ancient oriental texts on the art of love that this is a technique that men have the ability to develop. Many sex experts say that men can do exercises to strengthen their pubococcygeus or PC muscles, enabling them to experience the contractions of orgasm while holding back ejaculate. Dr. Larry Lipshultz, chief of male reproductive medicine and surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, says, “There’s no scientific proof that male multiple orgasms can happen.”
Dr. Larry, however, can’t stop you from trying!
Got a burning question for our Sexpert? Email sexpert@gauntlet.ucalgary.ca. She’ll solve your sexual dilemmas in her column bi-weekly.