SEX

[JE87]

Hello,

I'm 24 weeks pregnant. For the last few years I've suffered with painful sex and if I'm honest I've just learnt to deal with it rather than keeping on at the doctors (who were not helpful at all).

I've barely had sex whilst pregnant but the times that I have I have had a lot of pain afterwards. I've had a dull sort of ache and it's been uncomfortable to stand up for hours later.

Has anyone else had this? I'm starting to panic it's something like endometriosis and perhaps I should have been a lot more persistent with docs before getting pregnant.

I'm going to docs this week but in the meantime any advice is welcome.

Thank you!

Have you been tested for bacterial vaginosis or any STI's like chlamydia or gonorrhea?

Yes had all the usual tests but all came back clear!

Sex has always been a bit painful for me but I never saw anyone about it, like you I just learned to live with it. On a scan when I was miscarrying they said I had a fibroid. Which can result in painful sex apparently

I have very painful sex, have done ever since I lost my virginity fourteen years ago. For me it turned out it was related to neuropathic pain in my urethra and bladder, which was what was hurting during and after sex due to the trauma to the area from the physical act. I also have endometriosis which can cause painful sex but I don’t think that contributes much to the pain in my case. Also I get UTIs every single time I have sex unless I take antibiotics after.

It’s so bad I have to take morphine before and after.

If yours is down to endo I wouldn’t worry too much, endo can cause problems with conceiving but if you’re already pregnant it clearly hasn’t stopped you from that! Endo can also increase the risk of miscarriage but I’d say as you’ve made it to 24 weeks you’re probably out of the woods in terms of any impact endo will have on your pregnancy. You might want to get checked out once you’ve recovered from the birth though to suss out why the sex is painful for you.

@EmeraldRubyShark Morphine? is it worth the pain? There are other ways to be intimate.

It is, Just. It’s a bit different for me though as I have to take morphine every day because my bladder/urethra are so painful I wouldn’t be able to function or work otherwise. So it’s not like it’s only sex causing the intense pain. But I do need to take extra to make it doable. It’s all consultant-prescribed etc. Sadly there’s no other option for me.

I have endometriosis. It basically pauses during pregnancy as you aren't going through your cycles. If your pain was caused by endometriosis then it shouldn't really be getting worse during.