Researchers have determined that discomfort during sexual activity is a widespread occurrence among individuals, irrespective of gender. Nevertheless, males tend to disclose experiences of discomfort less frequently. This work has been published in the journal International Journal of Sexual Health (IJSH).
Although sexual activity is typically associated with pleasure, physical pain encountered during intimate contact is quite common. However, the majority of scholarly literature focuses on severe instances, such as underlying medical conditions or pronounced sexual dysfunctions. The more common, intermittent discomfort experienced by healthy individuals is considerably less understood.
The investigators aimed to ascertain the prevalence of such pain among university students and the reasons why individuals might not always communicate this to their partners. Two hundred sixty-three students from a university located in the southeastern U.S. participated in the study, comprising 179 females and 71 males.
Participants completed an online survey anonymously. They were asked to gauge how frequently they believed pain during sex occurs in both men and women, in addition to detailing their own personal experiences.
The findings indicated that participants underestimated the frequency of painful sensations experienced by males. Their estimation was that roughly fifty percent of women and under a fifth of men encounter pain during sex. However, the actual reported data turned out to be substantially higher.
An analysis of the open-ended responses revealed that participants predominantly attributed the pain to physical factors—such as insufficient lubrication, awkward positioning, or overly vigorous movements. Females also frequently cited inadequate arousal or insufficient foreplay. Some participants linked male pain to overexertion or injuries, for example, from teeth during oral sex.
When questioned about why individuals persist with sexual contact despite experiencing pain, embarrassment, a desire not to spoil the mood for their partner, or a sense of obligation to provide pleasure were the most frequently cited reasons. Furthermore, some individuals held the belief that pain during sex is an inherent part of the experience.
In the view of the study’s authors, these findings underscore the necessity for transparent communication between partners and could potentially contribute to enhancing sexual education programs.
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