Pain with Sex Isn’t "Just Something You Have to Deal With”

Pain during sex may show up as burning, pressure, tightness, or a deep aching sensation. This can be frustrating, fear inducing, and isolating. Many women experience it, but just because it's common doesn't mean it's normal. The good news is, you don't have to live with it. With the right care and support, relief and confidence are possible.

 

At Prosper Physical Therapy, we specialize in pelvic floor rehabilitation that addresses pain with intimacy and empowers you to feel confident and in control of your body again.

Close up of a woman seated on the ground with her knees bent up and wrapping her arms around her knees representing fear and embarrassment.

Endometriosis-Related Pain

Endometriosis can cause chronic pelvic pain due to inflammation, scar tissue, and hypersensitivity in the pelvic floor muscles. Even after surgical management, many women experience ongoing discomfort during or after intimacy.

 

Pelvic floor therapy can provide targeted manual release, desensitization techniques, and gentle re-coordination of the muscles. This can help by reducing pain and improving your ability to feel safe and comfortable in your body again.

A pelvic floor physical therapist is providing manual therapy to a postpartum belly in a close up image.

What’s Really Causing This?

  • Childbirth trauma (tearing, scarring, C-section)
  • Pelvic floor muscle tension or spasms
  • Hormonal changes (postpartum, perimenopause, menopause)
  • Endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain
  • Vaginismus or involuntary pelvic floor tightening
  • Emotional stress or trauma held in the body; fear-avoidance
  • Previous surgeries or incomplete recovery

What You Might Be Feeling

  • Pain with penetration (initial or deep)
  • Burning, stinging, or pressure
  • Pain with tampon, disc, or cup usage
  • Post-intercourse soreness or cramping
  • Difficulty relaxing or feeling "braced"
  • Avoiding intimacy due to discomfort, fear, or frustration

Why This Matters

Pain during intimacy can affect more than your physical health. It can create emotional distance, strain relationships, and leave you feeling broken or alone. Many women blame themselves, or are told it’s “in their head.” You deserve better.

How

Prosper

Can Help

We approach this gently, respectfully, and with deep expertise in the body’s nervous and muscular systems. Our 3-phase model helps you not only reduce pain, but understand your body and rebuild trust with it.

01

Lengthen

We begin by calming the nervous system and releasing muscle tension with hands-on therapy, breathwork, and body awareness.

02

Strengthen

Next, we help your pelvic floor coordinate with your breath and movement patterns so you can feel supported, not guarded.

03

Prosper

We integrate everything into functional movement—walking, lifting, intimacy—so you can feel safe and strong in your body again.

Circle fallback

What to Expect in Treatment:

Circle fallback

A full hour of one-on-one, personalized care

Circle fallback

Private, judgment-free space where you lead the pace

Circle fallback

Gentle internal and external assessments—only with your full consent

A woman is facing away in a seated position reaching one hand over her head to interlock fingers to stretch her neck.
Circle fallback

Manual therapy, breath training, and education explained clearly

Circle fallback

Supportive guidance with a focus on emotional and physical healing

Close up image of a patient completing a foam roller crunch while pelvic floor physical therapist palpates the patients abdomen to ensure core activation and strengthening.

What You’ll Gain Through Personalized Pelvic Care

You’ll go from this:

  • Dreading or avoiding intimacy
  • Feeling anxious, broken, or confused
  • Pain with penetration or post-orgasm
  • Not knowing what’s going on or how to fix it
  • Feeling alone, like you are the problem

To this:

  • Feeling hopeful and more connected to your body
  • Understanding the root cause of your pain
  • Rebuilding trust and communication with your partner
  • Enjoying intimacy without fear
  • Feeling empowered and accepted as you are (without pain!)

What to Expect During Treatment

Your first visit includes a comprehensive full-body movement screen, along with breath and pressure assessments to better understand how your body is functioning as a whole. With your consent, we will educate you on why we may consider an internal pelvic exam to help get a full body picture. We want to give you some clarification: this is not your traditional pap exam. With a gentle, holistic approach we will uncover what is contributing to your symptoms. From there, you’ll receive a personalized care plan tailored to your goals, lifestyle, and needs. Every body is different, so your treatment is never a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach.

5-star rating

Discover What Other Women Are Sharing About Their Results

Hear from women just like you who proudly share their experience.

5-star rating

I had my first pelvic floor therapy appointment with Sara, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the moment I walked in, she created a space that felt safe, respectful, and incredibly grounding. Sara was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive. She took the time to explain everything clearly, answered all my questions with patience, and checked in with me throughout the session to make sure I was comfortable. Highly recommended to work with!

Christina, Google Reviewer (June 2025)
Loading footer...