Is It Normal to Feel Pain After Ejaculation? Should You Be Worried?

Painful ejaculation can be scary and troubling, leaving you to wonder, “Is it normal to feel pain after ejaculation?” Also known as orgasmalgia or dysorgasmia, this condition affects many men and keeps them from enjoying a high quality of life. The sad thing is most guys are too embarrassed to talk about it, allowing the frustration to mount behind closed doors.

If you experience mild or severe pain after ejaculation, know that you're not alone. Painful ejaculation is relatively common and not necessarily a symptom of serious underlying health problems. With professional help, you can diagnose the issue and get proper treatment. 

Below, our Rapid STD Testing team answers questions such as:

• What causes painful ejaculation?
• What are the signs of painful ejaculation?
• How do you diagnose it?
• How do you treat it?

What Causes Pain After Ejaculation?

Ejaculation involves the penis discharging semen during the male orgasm. Although it should be pleasurable, sometimes it can be painful. Painful ejaculation may result from one or multiple reasons, such as those outlined below. 

1. Prostatitis

One of the most common causes of painful ejaculation is prostatitis. Prostatitis refers to an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland and can either be chronic (long-term) or acute (short-term). Chronic prostatitis is often tolerable, but ignoring it can affect your overall quality of life.

Since it can cause painful urination, you might mistake prostatitis for a urinary tract infection. However, acute and chronic prostatitis will often result in the following symptoms:

• Pain after ejaculation
• Pain while urinating
• Erectile dysfunction
• Frequent feelings of needing to urinate

2. Cystitis

Is it normal to feel pain after ejaculation? If you have cystitis, the answer is yes.

Cystitis is the term for a bladder infection. This occurs when harmful bacteria enter the bladder tissue and cause inflammation.

Talk to your doctor if you notice the following:

• Pain while urinating
• Blood in your urine
• Cloudy or stinky urine
• Lower abdominal pain
• Pain after ejaculation

3. Surgery

Surgery can remove harmful materials from your body and repair it, but it can also leave you with several side effects. Surgical complications can lead to pain during or after ejaculation. It's not uncommon for men to experience painful ejaculation after procedures like radical prostatectomy and inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Surgical procedures may create a blockage in areas like the ejaculatory ducts, seminal vesicles, urethra, and bladder. These blockages can make it painful to urinate and ejaculate.

4. Sexually Transmitted Infections

Another common cause of painful ejaculation is sexually transmitted infections. In addition to pain during orgasm, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause blisters around the genitals, discharges like an STD discharge, and painful urination. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, find a local Rapid STD Testing location.

Various types of bacterial STIs often lead to painful ejaculation, including the following:

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis

5. Radiation Therapy

For some patients with prostate cancer, doctors will use radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) for treatment. However, this treatment method can cause painful ejaculation when performed in the pelvic region. Other side effects of undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer may include:

• Painful urination
• Pelvic pain or discomfort
• Burning sensations

6. Pudendal Neuropathy

Painful ejaculation can result from medical procedures or infections. However, you may experience orgasmalgia or dysorgasmia because of pudendal neuropathy. Pudendal neuropathy refers to nerve damage in the pelvic region, resulting in rectal or genital pain. 

Pudendal neuropathy doesn't come out of the blue. Doctors can usually trace this condition back to things like the following:

• Pelvic injuries
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) 

7. Psychological Factors

Your body may experience pain due to psychological issues rather than physical conditions. Mental and emotional health problems like depression, anxiety, and stress can lead to painful ejaculation. If that's the case, visiting a therapist is your best option. 

Symptoms Associated with Discomfort After Ejaculation

Understanding the symptoms of painful ejaculation is the first step to a happier, sexually active life. You should consult a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis and receive treatment. However, you can make an informed decision by spotting a few symptoms yourself.

Here are common signs of painful ejaculation:

• Pain during the emission phase: The emission phase is the initial stage of ejaculation. During this phase, your body will emit fluid and sperm to produce semen.
• Pain during the expulsion phase: The expulsion phase is the second and final stage of ejaculation. During expulsion, your pelvic muscles will contract to expel semen through the penis.

Pain may occur during either or both stages of ejaculation. In some cases, men will only experience painful ejaculation when having sexual intercourse. If you don't notice these symptoms during masturbation, it could be due to psychological issues.

Dysorgasmia typically involves pain in the urethra and penis. However, it can take place in other areas throughout the reproductive system. These include the following:

• Scrotum
• Testicles
• Rectum
• Lower abdomen
• Perineum

When Should You See a Doctor? 

Seeing a doctor about sexual dysfunction can be a source of shame for many guys. The question might not be, “Why do I feel pain after ejaculation” but “Why should I see a doctor about it?” Unfortunately, ignoring painful ejaculation can lead to low self-esteem, broken relationships, and more severe health conditions.

Healthcare professionals have encountered dysorgasmia before and helped many people find a solution. Don't let painful ejaculation ruin your life. Speak with your doctor if you experience painful orgasms or other symptoms, including:

• Blood in your semen
• Urgent, frequent urination
• Painful urination
• Inability to urinate
• Body aches, nausea, fever, or chills
• Recurring pain in the rectal, pelvic, lower back, or upper thigh area

With an experienced doctor by your side, you can better understand painful ejaculation and manage your symptoms effectively. It's critical to seek professional help in these situations, so you can receive the treatment you need and get back to enjoying life. 

How Is Painful Ejaculation Diagnosed?

Diagnosing painful ejaculation isn't always straightforward. With medical conditions like broken bones and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), doctors can use straightforward tests (an X-ray or 10-panel STD test, for example) to identify the issue. However, doctors must perform physical exams and medical history reviews to determine the root cause of painful ejaculation.

As part of a medical history review, your doctor will request information about previously diagnosed conditions. You can expect them to ask a wide variety of questions, such as the following:

• How long have you had painful orgasms?
• How long does the pain last?
• Have you experienced other symptoms?
• Is your urine flow weaker than normal?
• Do you currently take medications?
• Is prostate cancer common in your family history?
• Have you ever received cancer treatment?

These and other specific questions will help your doctor know which tests to administer. You may need to undergo multiple tests during the physical exam, depending on the analysis. Common tests for painful ejaculation include:

• Digital rectal exam (DRE): This test involves a medical professional inspecting your genitals. They will examine your prostate gland by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum.
• Urinalysis: Urinalysis refers to urine tests doctors use to check for signs of infection, bleeding, and kidney disease. 
• Pelvic ultrasound: Doctors will use cutting-edge imaging technology to examine the pelvic region. This ultrasound can help diagnose symptoms like scrotal and testicular pain.
• Cystoscopy: Painful ejaculation may result from injuries or urethral stricture. If so, doctors can use a device called a cystoscope to look around inside your urethra. 
• Urine culture: This test allows doctors to diagnose dysorgasmia and check for viruses, fungi, and bacteria using a urine sample.

Other tests may include a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, transrectal ultrasound, and urethrogram.

How Is Painful Ejaculation Treated?

Painful ejaculation is frustrating, but it's also highly treatable. You can discover treatment options and learn about the next step by consulting your doctor. In some cases, home remedies are an excellent course of action.

Treatment methods for painful ejaculation will often vary from patient to patient, depending on the root cause. Some treatments only involve taking antibiotics, while others may require surgery. Here's the type of treatment you can expect according to the underlying cause:

• Infections: If your painful ejaculation is due to infection, doctors will likely prescribe over-the-counter antibiotics. However, some patients with severe infections may need an IV or even hospitalization.
• Surgery complications: Painful orgasms and other side effects are not uncommon after surgery. However, they are often temporary and will likely dissipate as you recover.
• Antidepressants: Is it normal to feel pain after ejaculation if you take medications? In some cases, antidepressants can cause painful ejaculation. You'll want to talk to your doctor to find an appropriate solution.
• Pudendal neuropathy: Various treatments exist for pudendal neuropathy. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy, steroids to manage symptoms, or surgery to repair the damaged nerve.
• Psychological issues: Visit a therapist if you think your painful ejaculation is due to psychological or emotional problems. A therapist can provide the individualized care you need.

Home Remedies

Some people with painful ejaculation need extensive, specialized treatment. Others only need to wait for the symptoms to cease. Either way, home remedies can effectively supplement most treatment plans and help your body heal faster.

For example, drinking cranberry juice is an easy, convenient way to treat urinary tract infections and reduce inflammation. You can also eat turmeric, an herb that can help treat prostatitis and manage painful ejaculation symptoms.

Medication

Regardless of the underlying cause, pain medications typically help with painful ejaculation. Your doctor may prescribe them for cases like pudendal neuropathy and surgery complications. However, anti-convulsant and muscle-relaxant drugs can also prove beneficial.

Muscle-relaxant medications do just what it sounds like — relax your muscles, particularly the urethra. Tense muscles in the urethra can lead to painful urination and ejaculation. By relaxing it, you can reduce these symptoms.

Anti-convulsant drugs work well for pain related to nerve damage. This medication helps keep your nerves in check by limiting electrical activity. In other words, they prevent nerves from overreacting and making you feel more pain.

Put Painful Ejaculation to Bed

Orgasms should be satisfying, not painful, frustrating, or alarming. You want to enjoy the full benefits of semen and make the most of the moment. However, painful ejaculation can leave you wondering, “Is it normal to feel pain after ejaculation? Do I need medical attention?”

If you're struggling with painful ejaculation or other sexual dysfunctions, contact us at Rapid STD Testing. We offer the services and resources you need to stay in tip-top sexual health — you don't have to face it alone. Find a location near you and get same-day STD testing.