To think after a years-long break from sex, it can hurt a bit when you do it again?

[buzzheath]

Sorry for tmi! But a bit worried! Had sex for the first time in around 18 months. Went slowly, lots of foreplay etc, very aroused...but it's like the muscle inside the opening feels very stretched and I'm still a bit sore there! It doesn't look or feel like a tear...has anyone had this?

It’s definitely a thing, as far as I know! Often appears as a trope in erotica, too.

Had a gap of years, didn’t feel like that. So it’s not everyone.

How old are you?

Are you menopausal?

Yes, this happened to me. More so when I was menopausal. When sex became regular I was OK.

Not menopausal - early 30s!

I had this but a smear revealed a benign issue that I had fixed. Might be worth a check just in case.

I'm not a gynaecologist, but I imagine it depends on a whole range of factors (I'm assuming that this was straightforward PIV sex): whether you tensed up as you were worried it might hurt; lubrication; how much your vagina had "ballooned" before penetration; hormone levels; position(s); your partner's size; how long it lasted; whether or not you used a condom - and probably other things, too.

I think sometimes you can feel aroused but your body doesn't necessarily cooperate. I would doubt it's anything to worry about, but perhaps get checked out if it doesn't sort itself out quickly.

I had a smear earlier this year which came back all good. Mind if I ask what the benign issue was?