---
title: painful sex
date: 2024-02-15T11:07:00-05:00
author: Grace Koch
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/painful-sex"
section: Tags
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# painful sex

Sexual activity can be painful under a wide range of circumstances. Sometimes a medical problem such as an infection or vulvodynia can lead to burning, stinging, or stabbing pain during sex. Hormonal changes including menopause may also cause vaginal dryness and vaginal thinning which can make sex painful. Having sex without being aroused enough, or when you don’t want to be having it, can also make sex painful. Pain during sexual activity should always be taken seriously–it can be physically and emotionally harmful to “soldier through” when sex hurts.

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