When to Seek Medical Care

A woman should always consult a health care provider if she is experiencing new or worsening pain, bleeding, or discharge following intercourse.

Pain related to intercourse is a condition most appropriately checked by a primary health care provider or a women's health specialist (gynecologist). Other specialists, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist and a urologist, may also be consulted depending on the underlying cause.

Pain during intercourse is generally not an emergency. A woman should seek care in a hospital's emergency department if she experiences any of the following symptoms:

• New onset of pain or pain more severe than previous episodes and that lasts more than just a few minutes
  
  
• Bleeding following pain, particularly new or severe pain
  
  
• Nausea, vomiting, or rectal pain following intercourse
  
  
• New discharge