Can sex make menstral cramps worse?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I know that a natural way to get labor going is to have sex because seminal fluid has prostaglandins which many hospital drugs, like cervadial, try to mimic-did I spell that right?- (Prostaglandins stimulate smooth muscle, stimulating uterine contractions)

Since evidence shows that Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) may result from excess prostaglandins, would having sex during this time increase dysmenorrhea? It just seems logical to me...is it? Or am being too creative?? :chuckle

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I know that a natural way to get labor going is to have sex because seminal fluid has prostaglandins which many hospital drugs, like cervadial, try to mimic-did I spell that right?- (Prostaglandins stimulate smooth muscle, stimulating uterine contractions)

Since evidence shows that Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) may result from excess prostaglandins, would having sex during this time increase dysmenorrhea? It just seems logical to me...is it? Or am being too creative?? :chuckle

I've heard several theories regarding this.

Actually, I've heard the opposite. And the reason is because sex can be like exercise which relieves the cramps (stretching out the muscle, like when they tell you to do pelvic tilts for relief). But, I have heard similar theories to what you are saying, but I guess condom use would stop the prostaglandins from stimulating the smooth muscles which stimulate the contractions.... right?

~Crystal

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I've always heard that sex (especially orgasm) is good for cramps, as is any other form of physical exercise. The rationale I've heard is that part of the "cramps" process is blood pooling in the abdomen, esp. in the uterine/cervical tissues, and exercise gets the pooled blood moving (and orgasm esp. targets the affected tissues). I don't know if that's actually, clinically true, but I've always found exercise helpful, as well as some yoga stretches I learned many years ago.

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My husband tried to tell me for years that sex was good for whatever ailed me...from cramps to headache and backache, etc....LOL! Gotta love these guys, eh? (no pun intended) ;)

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On a personal note: I have a hx of really bad menstrual cramps. If I have an orgasm while cramping the cramping does go away! Don't know the scientific reason for this, but maybe it just relaxes your entire body. I know that if I get stressed about the pain of cramps, they get worse!

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

The sex and eventual orgasm stimulates the bodies endorphines as well as releasing (I can't think of the word!!!) which connects with the receptors and decreases pain naturally. The word I'm missing is natures pain killer.

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Specializes in NICU.
The sex and eventual orgasm stimulates the bodies endorphines as well as releasing (I can't think of the word!!!) which connects with the receptors and decreases pain naturally. The word I'm missing is natures pain killer.

Intercourse can worsen cramps if you're in a position that enables your cervix to be directly...jostled. But orgasm can make them better by releasing endorphins and sort of resetting the uterine muscle contractions that cause cramps to a more rythmic pattern.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Did I mention it's great to be a guy . . .

(NO, HE DID NOT JUST SAY THAT!)

~faith,

Timothy.

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Did I mention it's great to be a guy . . .

(NO, HE DID NOT JUST SAY THAT!)

~faith,

Timothy.

Thanks for rubbing that part in! LOL! It's great to a be a woman because we can have multiples, can guys?

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Specializes in NICU.
Thanks for rubbing that part in! LOL! It's great to a be a woman because we can have multiples, can guys?

Supposedly they can, but I've never met one...

...and believe me, I've looked!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

well, i don't want to brag . . . :rotfl:

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in NICU.
well, i don't want to brag . . . :rotfl:

~faith,

Timothy.

Hey Tim, you married?

Kidding! Okay, I'm done being inappropriate for the night, I promise!

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