There are usual reasons why sex may be more painful after a brain injury as the research turned up:
- Fatigue and energy issues
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If brain injury is on the mend, it takes a lot of energy, and sex can feel draining. If you’re too tired, your body may tense up, leading to pain, too.
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- Emotional changes and frustration
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Anxiety, depression, or body image problems after a brain injury can make sex stressful or painful.
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If you feel self-conscious, frustrated, for example, your body may not respond as it did then.
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- Hormonal imbalances
- Brain injury can rattle hormone levels like testosterone or estrogen, for example, leading to vaginal irritation, minimal arousal, or erectile problems which can make sex agonizing.
- Muscle spasticity
- Muscle spasms, usual after a stroke, can cause painful strain during movement.
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body may make certain positions uncomfortable.
- Nerve impairment or sensory shifts
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Some people lose sensitivity, while others become acutely aware to embracing, making sex feel agonizing instead of gratifying.
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Nerve pain after a stroke or TBI can make certain parts of the body feel tingling, burning, or even painful.
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- Chronic pain and post-TBI headaches
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Many people encounter chronic pain after a brain injury, making movement and a burden during sex.
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If you endure headaches or migraines, sex can bring about pain.
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- Low blood pressure
- If your blood pressure dips suddenly, you may feel loopy, weak, or whirling, which can make sex difficult.
If it’s supposed to be complete pleasure, what can you do to stop painful sex without making your partner use the “blame game”?
Massage before you begin by loosening stiff muscles beforehand which can ease spasticity and pain. Some may be more comfortable if you have muscle stiffness or weakness. So try different movements or positions. Using pillows for balance and support may assist you in reducing pressure and generate movement effortlessly.
If lack of moisture is an issue, try a lubricant which is a water-based or silicone-based coating and which can help reduce unpleasantness. To relax your muscles and avoid frustration, keep your mind on foreplay, also called “outercourse,” while your waiting before the final “plunge.”
Attempt sex at the most optimum of the day, so you’re fatigued, there’s always another day. Let your partner know what feels best and what feels awful so you can be “on the same page.” If you take pain medication, take care of your pain earlier before you even attempt.
Talk to a doctor or neurologist if sex is increasingly painful. You might have to be tested for hormones if you have extreme dryness or low sexual desire. Also, you might have to be evaluated for erectile dysfunction treatment, or physical or mental therapy to loosen muscles.
The complexity of brain injury keeps on going. It’s the gullible ones who think that brain injury symptoms will stop eventually.Â
