I have a Tilted Cervix . . . Does it Cause Pain During Sex?
An IONA Magazine reader recently wrote to me regarding having painful sex with her partner due to a tilted cervix. She wants to know what she could do to make the sex more enjoyable or non-painful. I am going to speak frankly to her and you about what can cause pain during sex. The reader says she has a tilted cervix, however, if her or your doctor has not given a diagnosis on this [a tilted cervix] after an internal exam, then she or you probably do not have a tilted cervix. A tilted cervix is usually referred to by doctors as a tilted uterus. The cervix is the part of the uterus that connects with the vagina, so the entire uterus must be tilted in order to have the cervix tilted. If you have been diagnosed by your doctor with a tilted uterus and are experiencing painful sex, here are some things you can do.
First, have a clear understanding of the anatomy of your body and the direction of the tilt. Then you can educate your partner on what positions feel good, which ones don’t and the reasons why. If you don’t know your body, don’t expect your partner to know it either. Be assertive. Ask your doctor questions until you clearly understand. Then communicate this information to your partner. Make sure you are getting a pap smear every year. A Pap smear is important because it checks the cells of your cervix to see if there are any cancerous cells there. Your doctor will be able to give you complete details. The next thing is to follow up on your Pap smear. If it is abnormal, immediately follow up with treatment and any other tests recommended. Be vigilant about your health.
Sex can be painful for a number of reasons not just a tilted cervix. The most common reason is a large number of sex partners in a short period of time. That’s right, with increasing numbers of partners, there is usually an increase in the number of times a woman is having sex each week. Most women will experience soreness if they are having sex more than 7 times a week, with most of it occurring within a 72-hour period, especially if the bulk of the sexual activity is crammed into a short weekend (like spring break). If your sex partner does not understand your anatomy and special needs, the sex will be painful and uncomfortable. If sex is painful then you should stop or change positions, not just endure the experience. If your partner cannot understand, you are with the wrong person and it’s as simple as that! How much sex is too much sex is up to you, but if it causes you pain, it is worth it to examine every possible cause. If you are using sex toys, be sure they are cleaned before each use. Basic hygiene will decrease the chances of irritation and soreness. Also make sure you are free of all STD’s. Many women find that Chlamydia will cause them to feel some pain during sex. Genital warts that may be growing internally can also cause pain during sex. Another thing that does not occur to most women is to check out your soaps. Soap irritation will cause pain to the vulva (outer lips) area. If you suffer from the skin conditions eczema or psoriasis, understand that the vulva is skin and can also have this condition. If you are experiencing pain deep inside during sex, you can also have your doctor check for ovarian cysts. Ovaries have two jobs, produce hormones and develop eggs, which then go into the fallopian tubes to get fertilized. If a cyst develops on the ovaries, it can cause pain when it ruptures. Endometriosis can cause pain during sex also. PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can cause a deep pain when having sex. Have your doctor rule out sexually transmitted diseases like thrush and trichomonas. These two conditions are irritating, smelly and generally hard to ignore. The good news is they are easily treated. Lack of lubrication is a common cause for pain. There are over the counter items you can buy to give you more lubrication when needed. Sometimes the lubrication on condoms is old and not a large enough amount. Vaginismus is a condition where a spasm in the vagina makes sex difficult and in some cases impossible to have vaginal penetration. Fear and stress on the part of the woman usually cause this.
Your attitude during sex will determine if it is pleasurable or painful. It’s up to you to make a difference. During childbirth, the vulva can be torn. If you just had a baby in the last 6 weeks, you need to abstain from sex altogether until properly healed. A follow up check-up with your doctor will confirm when you are ready to have sex again.
The bottom line is this: You are responsible for your body and everything that goes on with it. You have to know your own body before you can teach your partner about it. Your doctor is a great place to start learning. Sex is fun but if you work it like you’re training for the Olympics, expect it not to feel so great.
Until Next Time . . .
Dr. Letitia Wright
Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C. is Host of the Wright Place TV™ Regional TV Show, seen in 5 million homes in Southern California and worldwide on the internet at http://www.wrightplacetv.com. Dr. Wright can be reached for questions, comments or sign up for the Wright Place E-Newsletter at info@wrightplacetv.com
