I Told You I Was Sick

For some women, the cause of painful sex is obvious and easily diagnosed by a doctor. Conditions such as endometriosis or vaginal cysts are quite common and treatable. But what about mysterious vaginal pain? If you’re experiencing painful sex but your doctor hasn’t been able to help you, there may be some things you can do to treat it naturally.

What Causes Painful Sex?

It is estimated that 1 in 7 women experience chronic pelvic pain. That’s a lot of women just like you who live with some type of discomfort in the bedroom. You’re definitely not alone. Here are 5 common reasons sex may be painful for you and what you can do to treat it.

1. Chronic Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis, otherwise known as BV, affects millions of women worldwide. Symptoms include a whitish discharge found on the vaginal walls during pelvic examination, a fishy odor, itching and/or burning in the vaginal area, and pain during sexual intercourse.

Even if you do not have all of the above symptoms, you still may have chronic bacterial vaginosis. It is caused by a disruption in the natural acid balance of a woman’s vagina and if you’ve been diagnosed with it once, the chances of it returning are very high.

You can treat bacterial vaginosis at home by using a combination of high-quality probiotics and organic apple cider vinegar (with the mother). First, cut refined grains and processed sugar out of your diet as these foods only feed the bacteria.

Each day, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach, mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a four-ounce glass of water and drink. Take your probiotic supplement orally at night. You can also insert a probiotic into your vagina at night before bed.

2. Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is just a fancy word for “unexplained vaginal pain”. Pain may occur at the entrance to the vagina (called vulvar vestibulitis) or be felt during deep thrusting due to inflammation of the cervix.

The cause of vulvodynia is largely unknown but it has been linked to environmental allergies, which can trigger chronic yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. You can treat vulvodynia at home by getting rid of all scented feminine products.

Also, do not take bubble baths, use bleached tampons, or scented menstrual pads. Wear breathable cotton panties only and don’t wear underwear to bed unless you’re on your menstrual cycle.

Add a quality probiotic supplement to clear any infection from the inside out and try douching with apple cider vinegar. It can help restore natural pH balance and put an end to painful sex. Neem oil can also be used on inflamed vaginal tissues for immediate relief.

You can also get relief from vulvodynia by doing Kegel exercises. Pelvic floor exercises strengthen and tone your vaginal walls and lengthen your vagina so sex is less painful.

3. Retroverted Uterus

Many women are not aware that they have a tipped or retroverted uterus until they get pregnant. It simply means your uterus is tipped toward your rectum instead of your bladder. Usually, a tilted uterus does not cause any medical complications but it can make certain sexual positions painful.

Thankfully, there are sexual positions women with tipped uterus can use to cut down on discomfort. These positions include modified missionary, where the woman holds her legs straight and together instead of upward and woman-on-top, where she controls the depth of penetration.

4. Food Allergies

Food allergies are one of the most common causes of sexual problems in women but it’s hardly ever talked about. Oftentimes, food allergies such as lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance will lead to hormonal changes that can disrupt the natural pH balance of your vagina.

If you experience chronic inflammation in your vulvar area as well as regular gastrointestinal symptoms such as chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, gurgling intestines, muscle aches, flatulence, and bloating, you may have one or more food allergies.

The best way to determine if food allergies are causing your pelvic pain is to remove the most common offenders from your diet for a period of one month and then reintroduce them one at a time to test for a reaction. The most common offenders are gluten, lactose, and food dyes.

5. Vaginismus

Vaginismus is another common cause of extremely painful sex. When a woman has vaginismus, her vaginal walls involuntarily contract at the introduction of any type of penetration. It is sometimes difficult for a woman with this condition to even insert a tampon or have a pelvic exam without serious pain.

Causes of vaginismus vary but often include sexual trauma and/or a response to chronic vaginal pain. Women can learn to reverse vaginismus and enjoy sex again by using a combination of talk therapy, bio-feedback, and dilation techniques.

If painful sex is ruining your chances of having a successful intimate relationship, there is plenty you can do to take control of the situation and get your health back on track. When sex is painful, chances are, your body is having an allergic reaction to its environment. Once you cut out the offending agent, you’ll be amazed at how much better your health and sex life can be.

Treat your vaginismus privately and naturally with the step-by-step tips explained in the book below.

Top image courtesy of [David Castillo]/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net