Sex is meant to make us feel good, but sometimes our bodies have other ideas.
One of the rare but certainly unwanted side effects of intercourse is feeling sick afterward – and it can put a serious dampener on your post-coital bliss.
According to Dr Leila Frodsham, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, while it’s incredibly rare, some people may feel nauseous after sex.
And if you’ve experienced it, then it could be down to endometriosis or possibly overstimulation of the cervix, which is highly sensitive.
Naturally many women would associate feeling that way with morning sickness – especially if they’re trying to get pregnant.
But, reassuringly for women who aren’t trying to conceive, the unpleasant symptom is most likely nothing to do with pregnancy, due to the fact morning sickness usually kicks in around two weeks after a missed period or when you’re around six weeks gone.
However, it could point towards other underlying health issues.
If you suffer from endometriosis, a painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, the pelvic pressure you experience during sex could induce feelings of nausea, especially if it’s around your time of the month.
Dr. Frodsham said: ‘Post-coital nausea rarely presents as a form of sexual dysfunction and may have many causes.
‘If the underlying cause is from endometriosis or stimulation of the cervix or ovaries, a change of position or device to minimize the depth of penetration might be of benefit.’
‘If you experience any type of intercourse that is painful, you should see a gynecologist.’
Stimulation to the cervix – the narrow passage forming the lower end of the uterus – can be painful due to it being highly sensitive, which may, in turn, bring on a wave of nausea.
Dr. Lauren Streicher, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University, explained that your cervix changes during your cycle and drops lower during your period, making you more susceptible to feeling nauseous after sex, sometimes to the point of passing out.
She told POPSUGAR: ‘Contact with your cervix during sex — or cervical stimulation — can create a vasovagal response in which your blood pressure and pulse drop.’
If your night of passion followed a big meal out, you may experience bloating or constipation which can also make you feel somewhat worse for wear.
Feeling sick after sex doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something physically wrong. If it’s happening frequently, it could be your body’s way of telling you you’re with the wrong person – or still battling with ghosts from your past.
Nausea could be a symptom of a psychological condition known as sexual aversion disorder, which can stem from prior negative sexual experiences or ‘off-putting thoughts’ you may associate with sex, according to sexual and marital therapy website Basmt.
Dr. Frodsham said: ‘If a woman has concerns and/or any symptoms, she should speak to her healthcare professional who can help with symptoms, identify an underlying cause and treat the condition.
