For both women and men IC can cause pain before, during, immediately following, and even several days after sexual activity, particularly penetration and/or orgasm.
The research literature suggests that men can have pain during arousal and orgasm, and that women more often have pain after sexual activity. However there is little information about the specifics of the sexual activities that result in this pain, and it is possible that the assumptions that researchers and participants make about how men versus women have orgasms is influencing these reports.
There are many theories as to why some sexual activities and having an orgasm can trigger pain, including:
- Increased blood flow to the pelvic region as a result of sexual excitement
- Sex, and orgasm, involves straining of (and spasms of) the pelvic floor muscles, which are often part of the cause of IC pain.
- For women, penetrative sex results in movement of the bladder, cervix, and uterus, which can trigger IC pain
- The stress response may release irritating neurotransmitters into the bladder
- Anticipating and experiencing pain can result in reduced arousal, and reduced lubrication, which in turn can make penetrative sex more painful and irritating.
- Other conditions, such as vulvar pain, may be associated with IC and could be more involved in the pain during sex.
References:
- Webster, D.C. “Sex, Lies, and Stereotypes: Women and Interstitial Cystitis” The Journal of Sex Research Volume 33, Issue 3 (1996): 197-204.
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