Why Does My Stomach Feel Weird After Sex?

Pain and nausea after sex are pretty common and, in most cases, not serious. But they can be a sign of things like trapped gas or digestive issues, or even some more serious medical conditions such as endometriosis or adenomyosis.

So, if you’re wondering why does my stomach feel weird after sex, here are some of the most likely culprits: 1. Orgasms – This section is the result of the website team’s efforts miss-lingerie-sexy.com.

Orgasms

It’s totally normal to feel nauseous after sex, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an STI. Usually, it’s caused by the climax, which can put pressure on the pelvic muscles and cause them to cramp up. If it doesn’t go away, make an appointment with a gynecologist to rule out infection or something else that could be causing it.

But, before we get into that, it’s important to understand what orgasms are and why they can cause stomach pain. Orgasms are a natural physical reflex brought on through sexual stimulation, specifically in the area of the clitoris, which is the most sensitive part of your vulva. It’s a response to sexual arousal that can cause blood flow to the genitals to increase and release endorphins that give you a feeling of pleasure.

The pain that happens during or after an orgasm can also be due to uterine contractions, being ovulating, or deep penetration. The latter can hurt because the uterus can be irritated by the sperm. It can also happen if you have a tilted uterus, which means that it’s leaning backward instead of forward, and this puts extra pressure on the organs.

Stress

When we feel stress, our body reacts in a variety of ways. It may trigger bloating, stomach pain or diarrhea, for example. This is because the nervous system can send signals to the gut that cause it to over-react.

If you suffer from a digestive disorder, like irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerances or indigestion, that can also contribute to abdominal pain and bloating. Especially if it’s a persistent issue, it might be time to see your doctor.

For women, stomach pain after sex can be a sign of certain pelvic conditions, like endometriosis or adenomyosis, cysts and fibroids, says San Francisco-based physical therapist Rachel Gelman. However, this isn’t necessarily a reason to panic, especially if your symptoms are mild and infrequent. She adds that some simple at-home tweaks, like laying down with a heating pad and doing breathing exercises like diaphragmatic breathing, can soothe the discomfort.

UTI

If you have a condition called endometriosis, which means tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus grows outside of it and into the surrounding tissues, pelvic ligaments, and even your fallopian tubes, abdominal pain might be a symptom. The discomfort might be worse during or after sex, and it could spread to other areas of the body.

Abdominal cramps after sex can also be caused by trapped gas or digestive system issues. When you engage in sexual activity, your body’s blood flow gets redirected to the genitals, which can lead to reduced blood flow to your digestive tract and cause bacteria to produce more gas. This can also cause bloating after sex, especially when engaging in sexual positions like doggy style or missionary.

In some cases, stomach pain after sex is an early symptom of ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants outside of your uterus). This requires medical attention and an ultrasound to rule out the possibility of an infection or other serious complications. Your gynecologist will likely order a urine test, a pelvic sonogram, and possibly some other diagnostic tests.

Fibroids

Fibroids are benign, or noncancerous, growths in the wall of your uterus. They can cause heavy bleeding, cramps, or a low-grade fever after sex in some women. Each month, one of your ovaries grows a follicle that contains maturing eggs. Usually, about 2 weeks before your period, that follicle bursts to release an egg for fertilization and conception. But sometimes, a cyst can develop on or in the ovary—and that’s when you might experience abdominal pain after sex.

A gynecologist will probably check you out with a urine test to make sure there isn’t an infection, and then with a pelvic sonogram to scan your uterus, tubes, ovaries and gut for a problem like fibroids. San Francisco-based physical therapist Rachel Gelman adds that a gynecologist will also likely refer you to a pelvic floor specialist if your symptoms are serious enough.

A UFE (uterine fibroid embolization) is a minimally invasive procedure that’s proven to be effective at treating uterine fibroids. A doctor will numb your upper leg at the groin crease and insert a catheter into the artery that feeds the fibroids. Then, under real-time X-ray guidance called fluoroscopy, the interventional radiologist will inject the artery with sand-sized particles that block blood flow to the fibroids—which causes them to shrink because they don’t get oxygen.

Hormonal Imbalance

The body has more than 50 hormones that constantly fluctuate, and when they’re out of whack it can lead to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, low libido, achy vaginal sensations and painful periods. Many of these hormone-based issues can be caused by lifestyle habits, dietary changes, stress, or conditions like hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome and perimenopause.

If you’re a woman, you might experience abdominal pain after sex because you’re pregnant (which is why it’s important to see your doc right away). You could also have an ectopic pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. It’s also possible that you’re allergic to your partner’s sperm, which is called “seminal plasma hypersensitivity.”

While stomach pain after sex isn’t necessarily a sign of something serious, it’s definitely a good reason to schedule a visit with a medical professional—starting with your ob-gyn. Until then, San Francisco-based physical therapist Dr. Rachel Gelman suggests a slew of at-home tweaks to help alleviate your discomfort, including laying on a heating pad, doing pelvic floor exercises and diaphragmatic breathing, and drinking lots of water.