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Try These Sex Positions To Minimize Your Endometriosis Pain

by Irina Gonzalez

Sex can be great, but it's not necessarily always pain-free — especially if you suffer from a medical condition that affects your sex life. If you have endometriosis, then you already know that sometimes sex hurts. Luckily, there is a way to find out the best sex positions for endometriosis so that your sex life is as pain-free as possible.

According to Everyday Health, pain during sex can be an early symptom of endometriosis, which occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus starts to grow outside of the uterus instead. What causes the pain during sex is the location of the endometriosis lesions, rather than their size. If the endometriosis presents itself behind the vagina and the lower part of the uterus, sex is likely to cause more pain because of the thrusting, according to the aforementioned Everyday Health article. The pain can vary from mild to unbearable and can worsen with very deep penetration.

“The old fashioned missionary position is the most painful [as] the uterus is tilted at its most posterior aspect,” OB-GYN John C. Petrozza, MD, told Everyday Health.

Since missionary sex is out of the question if you have endometriosis, it's important to know which sexual positions are pain-free. Here are endometriosis-friendly sex positions to help you experience less pain and more pleasure.

1

Side To Side

According to the aforementioned Everyday Health article, one of the most comfortable positions for those with endometriosis is side to side. Additionally, Cosmopolitan, noted that there are many different types of side sex positions that you can try, which will ease the pain you might feel. The big bonus of this position is that it also increases intimacy since you can look at each other directly, which also improves your chances of communicating to your partner when something feels good and when something doesn't.

2

Woman On Top

In a post on her site EndoEmpowered, wellness expert Melissa M. Turner wrote that woman on top is a good way to handle painful sex with endometriosis, since it allows you to "get complete control" and you can actually decide how deep your partner penetrates.

3

Standing Missionary

One of the things that makes sex with endometriosis more tolerable, and even enjoyable, is focussing on positions that include shallow penetration, since it is deep penetration that can cause added pain. According to Eligible Magazine, standing missionary allows for shallow penetration. It also has the added benefits of face-to-face intimacy as well as good clitoral stimulation, but without the pain of regular missionary.

4

Doggy Style

According to the aforementioned Everyday Health article, doggy style can feel a little bit more comfortable "because of the angle at which the penis enters," Petrozza said. It is also good to focus on non-penetrative acts and alternatives to intercourse such as kissing, massage, and mutual fondling.

5

Spooning

According to Cosmopolitan, the sensual spoon is a good position to try with endometriosis, since it is half-doggy style and half-spooning with plenty of opportunity for G-spot rubbing during penetration. Your partner will also have access to stimulate your clitoris and caress your breasts, which can add to your pleasure.

6

Doggy Pillow

According to the aforementioned Eligible Magazine article, doggy pillow is great because it also allows for the benefits of shallow penetration if you are suffering from painful sex with endometriosis while also having the fun of doggy style.