If you have female reproductive organs, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced “What the heck is happening?!” symptoms here and there.
The symptoms of uterine fibroids definitely fall into that category.
So let’s talk about fibroids and sex: what fibroids are, how to know if you might have one, whether fibroids can make sex painful, and how to manage fibroid symptoms.
Fibroids and painful intercourse often go hand in hand, and pelvic floor tension is a big reason. The V-Hive has targeted relaxation programs designed to help you get back in the game.
Stop letting fibroids kill your sex life
What are Fibroids?
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. They can develop inside, outside, and around the uterus during our childbearing years.
According to UCLA Health, 70-80% of people with a uterus will develop a fibroid at some point in their lifetime.
There are some factors that put you more at risk:
- Age, as fibroids are more common as we get older
- Family history of fibroids
- Ethnicity, with Black women being more likely to develop them
- Lifestyle factors, like obesity, vitamin D deficiency, poor diet, and alcohol consumption
Most people with fibroids don’t even know they have them! But other people experience common pain symptoms such as:
- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Pelvic pain and pressure
- Painful intercourse
- Difficulty getting pregnant
And yes, fibroids can even cause back pain!
Most fibroids can be detected using minimally invasive tools, such as a standard ultrasound or MRI. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider if you’re experiencing symptoms of fibroids to see what diagnostic method they recommend.
Fibroids and the Pelvic Floor
Fibroids vary significantly in size. Some fibroids are the size of a pea, while others are so large they distort and enlarge the uterus. It’s also possible to have many fibroids at once, further impacting the size and shape of the uterus.
Depending on how severe the fibroids are, they can put extra pressure on other pelvic floor organs like the bladder, colon, intestines, and rectum. This can cause additional symptoms like frequent urination and constipation.
Fibroids and Sex: Can Fibroids Cause Pain During Sex?
Can fibroids make sex painful? Absolutely.
Size and location are the most significant factors when it comes to uterine fibroids and painful intercourse. Larger fibroids can create constant pressure, both in the uterus and surrounding organs. Fibroids that grow near the cervix are also vulnerable to impact and pressure during sex, which can make vaginal penetration painful.
Fibroids can cause pelvic floor tension, too, which is one of the primary causes of pain during sexual intercourse.
Can fibroids cause bleeding after sex?
Yes. Fibroids near the cervix can cause bleeding during or after intercourse due to friction and pressure on sensitive tissue. If you notice heavy bleeding after sex, it’s worth bringing up with your provider to rule out other causes.
Can your partner feel your fibroids during sex?
Sometimes. Larger fibroids can create a noticeable firmness or fullness that a partner may feel during penetration. This is more likely with submucosal or larger intramural fibroids.
Can fibroids cause dryness?
Yes. Hormonal imbalances underlying fibroids commonly cause vaginal dryness, which can make sex significantly more uncomfortable.
Fibroids can make sex uncomfortable in other ways, too.
- The irregular, longer, or more painful periods accompanying fibroids can make sex less enjoyable.
- Heavier periods can lead to anemia and fatigue, which can negatively affect libido.
- Fibroids affecting the bladder or urethra can lead to urinary tract infections. (Sex + UTI = no thank you.)
- Large fibroids can impact the shape of the abdomen, which can lead to a negative body image and decreased desire to get undressed.
Pelvic floor tension doesn’t have to be a permanent mood killer. The V-Hive’s pelvic floor relaxation programs are built to break the tension-pain cycle so sex feels good again.
Get back between the sheets, pain-free
6 Ways to Manage Fibroids
#1 Eat well
Eating whole, unprocessed foods can help balance out hormones and keep us at a healthy weight (whatever that means for you). This can decrease the risk of fibroids.
#2 Manage stress
Researchers are still investigating the relationship between stress and fibroid growth, but the initial research is suggesting a connection. Decreasing chronic stress can dramatically improve overall pelvic floor tension. The less stressed we feel, the more our muscles can relax! From practicing yoga to seeing a professional therapist, making small changes over time can help decrease toxic stress.
#3 Practice diaphragmatic breathing.
Diaphragmatic breathing helps to calm the nervous system and reduce muscle guarding. It does this through good mobility, blood flow, and relaxation to the pelvic floor and abdomen.
Diaphragmatic breathing is a great start, but a full, guided pelvic floor workout routine is what actually moves the needle.
Give your pelvic floor the workout it deserves
#4 Chat with your sexual partners.
Increased anxiety around sexual function can make things difficult. If we’re anticipating or experiencing pain, we’re more likely to tense up. Ultimately, this creates more pain and impacts quality of life!
One way to decrease this sex-related anxiety is to talk about it! Discussing the tough stuff is hard. Starting in a neutral place outside the bedroom can help.
#5 Prep for sex.
Fibroids and vaginal dryness often go hand-in-hand. To reduce friction, tearing, or rawness during intercourse, moisture is your BFF.
I recommend two water-based lubricants that rarely cause irritation – Slippery Stuff & Good Clean Love. These brands are also safe with latex and non-latex condoms.
CBD products can also be a game changer for pelvic pain. The CBD acts alongside the pelvic floor muscles to help them relax.
All-natural vulvar moisturizers are an option too. One of my favorites is Vmagic from Medicine Mama. You can use this hormone-free, oil-based vulvar balm daily to moisturize vulvar tissues and soothe irritation and dryness.
#6 Talk with your provider.
Your provider can talk you through all your fibroid treatment options. Over-the-counter medications, birth control, hormones, and other oral therapies can be non or minimally invasive treatment options. Fibroids can also be removed surgically if needed.
Show your pelvic floor some love.
The pelvic tension and pressure from fibroids can be intense. You deserve relief.
The V-Hive Relaxation Program includes daily stretch routines and massage techniques specifically designed to ease pelvic floor tension – the kind that makes uterine fibroids and painful intercourse so much harder to live with.
