If these things happen during sex you MUST see a doctor
Sex should be a pleasurable experience but occasionally, it can also be a trigger for some red flag health concerns. Maybe you’ve noticed a lump somewhere intimate, certain positions are suddenly a bit uncomfortable, or you might be prone to cystitis, a painful bladder infection, and before the deed is done, you know you’re heading for a world of pain.
Many of us will face different sex-related body health issues over the years, and the dilemma is often whether it’s worth going to the doctor about it or not, hoping it will just go away on its own. It could be because you think it’s ‘normal’ or you might just be too embarrassed to go ask a GP their opinion. Importantly, if you have a niggling feeling something is wrong, read on.
We’ve consulted Certified Clinical Sexologist and Sex Coach, Marie Morice, to shed some light on eight of the most common reasons you might need to see a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms during or just after sex.
Remember, your doctor has seen it all before, so if you’re worried at all, don’t be embarrassed. Make that appointment you’ve been putting off and put your mind at rest because some of these symptoms could be serious.
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1. Headaches after sex
Sex can cause tension headaches or migraines due to muscular exertion, increased heart rate, or blood pressure changes.
Depending on how enthusiastically and whether you’re more missionary or a contortionist, sex can use pretty much all of our 657 muscles, especially our pelvic floor and core muscles, making it a full body workout.
Much like going for a brisk jog, the heart rate and blood pressure increase, with heart rate peaking at the point of orgasm, while the blood pressure will drop, causing blood vessels to dilate, which can trigger headaches in some people.
Orgasm headaches are often described as a dull pain which increases as you get more sexually excited.
When to seek help: If the headache is sudden, severe or a ‘thunderclap’, painfully intense and short-lived, or your first time experiencing this, see a doctor. Regular post-sex headaches also deserve investigation.
2. Pain during or after sex (dyspareunia)
Painful sex can stem from many causes – vaginal dryness, lack of arousal, pelvic floor tension, or underlying issues like endometriosis or prostatitis.
Vaginal dryness can be caused by decreased levels of the hormone oestrogen which happens during menopause or perimenopause, breastfeeding, pregnancy, cancer treatment and the fact that maybe you’re just not that into it.
Pelvic floor tension, also known as hypertonic pelvic floor, is caused by stress and an inability to relax.
Endometriosis is an often-painful condition caused by the growth of tissue similar to the lining of the womb growing in other areas, often effecting the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland and affects one in three men. It can cause pain in the pelvic region and pain during ejaculation.
When to seek help: Pain is never something you should just tolerate. Persistent or distressing discomfort should be addressed with a doctor or pelvic health specialist.
3. Bleeding or spotting after sex
Some light spotting can be hormonal or due to cervical sensitivity, but it can also be a sign of STIs, fibroids, or polyps.
While a tiny bit of blood could be common due to how vigorous your sexual activity is, it’s never a bad idea to get checked for STIs, even if it’s just for peace of mind.
It’s also a good reminder to check if you’re due a smear test to rule out anything more sinister, and while the check isn’t designed to detect fibroids or polyps – non-cancerous lumps which grow in the womb – they can sometimes be seen by the person doing the procedure.
When to seek help: Occasional light spotting isn’t always cause for concern, but regular or heavy bleeding post-sex warrants a gynaecological check-up.
4. Dizziness or light-headedness
Sexual activity can dilate blood vessels and drop your blood pressure, especially after orgasm. Add dehydration or low blood sugar, and it’s easy to feel woozy.
If you feel like you’ve been done ten turns on a roundabout it could be because you’re breathless, changing positions too quickly, are low on glucose or simply haven’t hydrated enough.
The physiological changes caused by climaxing, including hormone changes and blood pressure dropping can also cause dizziness, but these causes will be short-lived.
When to seek help: If you feel faint regularly, especially with chest pain or breathlessness, speak to your doctor – it could be cardiovascular.
5. Burning or stinging sensation
This could be from micro-tears, a reaction to condoms or lubricants, or a sign of infection (like thrush or a UTI).
Most of us know how painful and worrying it is to have something painful happening in our nether regions, whatever the cause.
Micro-tears can happen during sex, waxing, shaving or tight clothing literally rubbing you up the wrong way. The good news is these tiny injuries will repair themselves within a week.
Nothing stings like a urine infection, and a quick test from the doctor and often a prescription of antibiotics can set things straight, while a thrush infection can be treated with an over-the-counter oral tablet or vaginal pessary.
When to seek help: If the discomfort lasts more than 24 hours or comes with discharge or fever, check in with your GP.
6. Emotional overwhelm or sadness (Post-Coital Dysphoria)
Sometimes, tears or low mood follow sex – even when it’s consensual and enjoyable. Hormonal shifts, past trauma, or intimacy triggers can all play a role.
Sometimes supercharged, consensual sexual encounters can cause tears, and we don’t even know why we’re crying.
With orgasm comes the surge of the ‘love hormone’, oxytocin, which can impact moods and cause a release of emotions, which often comes in the form of tears. The endorphins we get also trigger emotion as well as relaxation.
Past trauma, vulnerability and shame can also be behind the crying.
When to seek help: If it happens regularly or feels intense, talking to a therapist can help explore what’s underneath.
7. Erections that won’t go away (Priapism)
An erection lasting more than four hours can be a medical emergency. Causes may include certain medications, recreational drugs, or underlying health conditions.
People suffering with sickle cell anaemia and leukaemia are more prone to suffering from this potentially painful condition, which can also be triggered by the use of recreational drugs like cannabis and cocaine.
Other triggers are medications for blood-thinning, high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction, like Viagra.
When to seek help: Immediately. Priapism requires urgent care to prevent long-term damage.
8. Pelvic or testicular pain post-ejaculation
This can be caused by prostate inflammation, pelvic floor tension, or blocked ducts. It’s more common in those who’ve gone a while without ejaculation.
Common strains of bacteria are often the cause of prostate inflammation, while pelvic floor tension can be caused by injury, stress and anxiety and holding it in when you really need to pee.
Blocked penis ducts, the tubes carrying the sperm, can be caused by inflammation, infection or scar tissue from surgery.
When to seek help: If pain recurs or is accompanied by urination issues, get a referral to a urologist.
There's no need to be embarrassed
If you do have a problem concerning sex, masturbation or the most intimate parts of your body, try not to feel awkward seeking medical advice, the chances are they’ve heard it all before – and remember, they have sex too.
If you’re still in doubt about needing to pay the doctor a visit, bite the bullet and just pick up the phone. Any doctor would rather you wasted ten minutes of their time than have you suffer the consequences of leaving it to chance.
Doctor Sarah Jenkins (drsarahjenkins.co.uk) says: ‘People definitely do feel embarrassed. It’s a taboo subject historically, an area of shame to talk about your intimate wellbeing. Very often societal and even medical attitude, particularly towards women if there's something wrong that it is a shameful thing and their fault.
‘I think men find it much easier to discuss their intimate wellbeing – for example erectile dysfunction – because society says its fine for men to be sexually active, and to reinforce that masculinity and to be virile and perform sexually, it’s a GOOD thing for men. Whereas society attitudes towards women, if they want to enjoy pleasure or sex or be sexually active and make themselves available to be sexually active, then that is deemed a negative.
‘However, with the menopause revolution that is happening right now (especially in the UK) a lot more women are becoming more open about the intimate issues they are facing when it comes to dryness, pain or lack of libido, and actually, they want equality. It is 2025 and I am very passionate about the fact that a sexual relationship should be reciprocal and equal, and enjoyment is not just for men, and for me that is an issue of equality.
‘Take a deep breath and come in and tell us what is going on’
‘The best way to broach the subject is to actually learn the proper anatomical names for the female intimate area. Most women come to see me and do not know what the vulva is. It is essentially the external female genitalia, made up of labia majoro and labia minora and mons pubis. Then the vagina is actually the canal where you would insert a tampon. We as society just refer to the whole thing as a vagina, which is medically incorrect.
‘It also starts with education in school so there isn't any confusion or shame. Medically speaking we have a responsibility to encourage men and women to open up and discuss their intimate wellbeing without being shamed or without having stigma attached.
‘Patients should be reassured, as doctors we are trained (for many, many years) to see and deal with the embarrassing issues and questions you have. We are not there to judge, we are there to help. Take a deep breath and come in and tell us what is going on, the more we know, the easier and quicker it will be to help you.’
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