Sex should never be painful. If you are having pain during intercourse, stop. Sex is supposed to be pleasurable, and pain indicates that something is wrong. In many cases, your partner's actions can cause pain, such as going too fast or penetrating from an awkward position. Never hesitate to ask your partner to slow down or move to make you more comfortable.

Another common cause of pain during sex is the lack of natural lubrication in the vagina. If you are not aroused during sex, you may experience this, although women often do not produce enough lubrication on their own. Try using a water-based lubricant or purchase lubricated condoms if you think this is the problem.

Failure of the vagina and uterus to respond to sexual arousal can also cause discomfort. The vagina may be too snug for intercourse or the uterus may not be raised so that the penis comes in contact with the cervix during penetration.

The muscles near the vaginal opening may also be the cause of some discomfort during intercourse. Various problems can occur depending on the state of these muscles. Vaginismus is a condition in which these muscles are extremely tight which causes intercourse to be painful and in some cases impossible. The way to check to see if vaginismus is a problem is for the woman to examine herself with her fingers. If she feels that the vaginal walls are much tighter than normal, then it may be vaginismus. Vaginismus is not a permanent condition. It is usually caused by nervousness or anxiety. Make sure that you engage in foreplay before intercourse. This will help you produce a healthy amount of lubrication, and should make you more relaxed. If foreplay does not help you lubricate, try a lubricant (water-based if you are using a condom). Try to reduce the pressure to perform. Fortunately, few women have vaginismus so severely that they have to go for treatment. For most women, it is just important to relax.

Any inflammation of the vagina has the potential to cause problems during sexual intercourse. Infections of the vaginal region due to yeast, herpes, etc. can make intercourse uncomfortable. Creams, fabric or perfumes may also cause irritation which makes intercourse painful. It is best to examine the vaginal area or the products that are being used to determine whether they are causing this problem.

Difficulty with intercourse may also be experienced by women for whom it is the first time having sex. Breakage of the hymen and other sensitive tissue can cause discomfort during penetration. The best advice is to take it slow, or begin with forms of penetration other than intercourse.