Why Is My Penis Sore After Sex?

Feeling sore after sex can be a bummer, but it isn’t always cause for concern.

Too much friction during sex (and not enough lubricant) is the most common cause of soreness after sex. This is especially true if you’ve had a lot of sex in a short amount of time or if a session was on the rougher side.

However, some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), inflammatory disorders, and underlying medical conditions can also cause soreness and require medical care.

Have you been asking yourself, Why is my dick sore after sex? You’ve come to the right place.

We’ll share some of the top causes of genital discomfort and treatment options for each. You’ll also learn when to seek medical advice to keep pain out of the bedroom — unless, of course, you’re into that sort of thing.

Soreness after sex is more common in women, especially those in menopause or suffering from conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

In some cases, sexual pain can be chronic and persistent, occurring before, during, or after sexual activity. This condition, known as dyspareunia, only affects around five percent of men.

But you don’t have to have a vulva or cervix to experience pain after sex. Men can experience a sore penis head, irritated foreskin, and testicular pain for a number of reasons.

In some cases, the pain is normal. It’s common to feel a bit sore if you’re having more sex than usual (lucky you) or if you’ve been trying out new and adventurous sex positions.

But pain that recurs or worsens over time is abnormal and may warrant a call to your healthcare provider.

From a lack of lubrication to condom allergies, there are many potential reasons you may feel sore after sex.

The good news is that all these conditions are treatable with appropriate medical care. But they might call for a few tweaks to your sexual habits (and a little R&R).

Some causes of pain after sex include:

• Lack of lubrication during sex

• Prolonged or vigorous sex

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• Yeast infection

• Allergic reaction

• Peyronie’s disease

• Balanitis

• Prostatitis

• Phimosis

• Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS)

• Frenulum breve

Keep scrolling to learn more about these potential reasons you’re sore after sex.

1. Lack of Lubrication During Sex

The skin on your penis is thin and sensitive. When there’s not enough lubrication during sex or masturbation, all that rubbing that feels so good at the time may lead to a skin injury known as friction burn.

Beyond discomfort, a friction burn can cause the skin to become red and swollen, kind of like a rug burn. Your skin might also crack, itch, bleed, or peel.

Using lubricant during sexual intercourse is one easy way to help prevent friction burn and soreness, especially during long play sessions.

Foreplay is also a good way to make the most of natural lubrication if your partner is female — but it’s okay and totally normal if she needs a little lube to keep things slippery.

2. Prolonged or Vigorous Sexual Activity

Even if you remembered to use lube during sex, soreness is still possible after prolonged sessions — or if the sex you had was a little rougher than usual.

Along with irritated penile skin, your muscles and tissues can also feel sore. After all, sex is a workout — if you’ve ever overdone it at the gym, you know how taxing it can be on your body.

In some cases, prolonged sexual activity isn’t intentional. Sexual dysfunctions like delayed ejaculation, in which you find it difficult to reach orgasm, can result in lengthy and sometimes painful sex. This condition has numerous causes, including hormonal changes, medication, and psychological issues.

3. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

For some people, sexually transmitted infections don’t cause any symptoms. But some STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital herpes, can cause painful intercourse or soreness after sex alongside other symptoms like itching and discharge.

Other signs of an STI:

• Burning during urination

• Sores, blisters, or other growths on penile skin

• Discharge from the tip of your penis

• Itching

• Pain in testicles or lower abdomen

Condoms aren’t just a solid form of birth control. They can also help protect you from STDs and STIs that cause soreness during sex.

There are so many different kinds of condoms on the market today, making it easier than ever to find one you’ll actually want to use.

4. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are less common in men because their longer urethras make it harder for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. But when these infections do happen, they can cause pain during and after sex.

This pain can radiate to other parts of your body, like your abdomen and anus.

Symptoms of a UTI:

• Pain while peeing

• Having to pee often or feeling unable to pee

• Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy

• Pelvic pain or pain in the anus or rectum

As bacterial infections, UTIs typically require a round of antibiotics.

5. Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are commonly caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. They can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, sex toys, poor hygiene, or prolonged antibiotic use.

Signs you have a yeast infection:

• Painful sex or soreness after sex

• Redness

• Inflamed penis tip

• Itchiness

• Scaly skin

• Discharge

In most cases, over-the-counter topical antifungal creams can resolve a yeast infection. If it persists, your healthcare provider might prescribe a more potent steroid cream.

6. Allergic Reaction

Allergic to sex? Probably not. But some condoms or lubricants you use could cause irritation if you have sensitive skin or an allergy.

A latex allergy is rare — it affects just one percent of the general population. But if you do have a sensitivity, using latex condoms may cause dermatitis, a skin condition that makes your penis itchy, dry, red, or cracked.

Or you could have an allergic reaction that causes a red rash, papules, or oozing blisters. Using polyurethane condoms or condoms made of other non-latex materials can help you avoid a reaction to the latex variety.

Chemicals in lubricants, including artificial fragrances or glycerin, can also irritate the skin, causing either a sore penis or sore vagina after sex. If you think lubricant is the culprit, opt for unscented water-based lube.

7. Balanitis

Balanitis is an inflammatory disorder that causes a sore penis head. It can resemble friction burn due to itchiness, redness, and swelling. But it can also cause a foul-smelling discharge, typically under the foreskin, and painful urination.

Balanitis sometimes results from poor hygiene. But it could also be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, like a yeast infection, or a latex allergy.

Treatment options include topical antifungals, prescription steroids, and good personal hygiene.

8. Peyronie’s Disease

Peyronie’s disease is a chronic condition where scar tissue forms beneath the penile skin, resulting in a curved erection. It affects more than one in 10 men in the U.S. and can be caused by injuries to the penis or autoimmune conditions.

Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include:

• Chronic pain during or after sex

• Curved penis with or without an erection

• Hard lumps under the penis skin

• General changes in the shape of the penis

For some men, Peyronie’s disease resolves on its own without treatment. For others, injections or surgery can help remove scar tissue, straighten the penis, and reduce pain.

9. Prostatitis

Made it this far but still wondering, Why do my balls hurt after sex? Prostatitis may be the answer.

Prostatitis is an inflamed prostate. It affects 10 to 15 percent of U.S. males and can be caused by microorganisms in the urinary tract or bacterial infections.

Symptoms of prostatitis:

• Pain during or after ejaculation

• Pain or discomfort in the testicles, penis, anus, lower back, or abdomen

• Peeing more often or feeling a more urgent need to pee

• Burning during urination

• Fever, chills, or body aches

• Nausea

Depending on what’s causing prostatitis, treatments can include antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or muscle relaxants.

You might also find relief with heat therapy, like a warm bath or hot water bottle. Physical therapy can help too.

10. Phimosis

Phimosis is a condition where the foreskin can’t pull back, leading to pain or numbness before, during, or after sex. Other symptoms include redness and swelling.

Many boys are born with phimosis, but the condition clears up by puberty.

It can also happen in adults due to scar tissue on the foreskin. This scarring might be from skin conditions or following injuries, especially if you’ve tried to force your foreskin to retract.

If phimosis doesn’t go away on its own, a steroid cream may help reduce pain and tightness. If the condition persists, your healthcare provider might recommend a surgical procedure, like a circumcision.

11. Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

Post-orgasmic illness syndrome is a rare condition some experts think happens when a guy has an allergic reaction to his own semen. Others theorize it’s a reaction to the hormones or bodily chemicals released after ejaculation.

Though the exact cause is unclear, symptoms of POIS can include:

• Pain in muscles, bones, or joints

• Trouble talking or understanding others

• Difficulty focusing

• Temporary memory loss

• Fever or chills

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Anxiety or irritability

These symptoms typically show up right after ejaculating. They can last just a few minutes or potentially several hours.

Definitely contact a medical provider if you have any of these post-sex signs of POIS.

12. Frenulum Breve

The band of skin on the underside of the penis that connects the glans to the foreskin is called the frenulum. When this tethering skin is short or particularly tight, it can be harder for the foreskin to retract when you get an erection.

This condition is known as frenulum breve. When you’re hard during sex, the taut tissue can make the head or your penis tilt downward, which can be painful.

Treatment options depend on what’s causing soreness after sex. But there are many things you can do at home to speed up recovery.

They include:

• Applying an ice pack or cold compress to the sore area

• Abstaining from sexual activity and masturbation until you feel better

• Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or aspirin

• Wearing loose-fitting clothing

• Practicing good hygiene

If symptoms persist, definitely seek medical attention.

If your penis is repeatedly sore after sex, get in touch with a healthcare professional to find out what’s going on.

Though your symptoms may resolve on your own if they’re caused by minor skin irritations or prolonged sex, many causes require medical care beyond the standard ice pack.

If you’re noticing other symptoms like discharge, bleeding, pain that radiates to other parts of your body, or a fever, it’s time to seek medical advice.

Feeling sore after sex could be a result of having too much fun, or it could be a sign of a bigger medical problem.

Here’s what to remember about a sore penis or pain after sex:

• Soreness after sex is normal — sometimes. Having too much sex (or too much vigorous sex) can lead to temporary soreness or discomfort. Using lubrication may help prevent soreness, like the kind caused by friction burn.

• Many medical conditions can cause soreness after or during sex. STIs, bacterial infections, fungal infections, allergic reactions, and inflammatory disorders can all cause sexual pain. Conditions like Peyronie’s disease, phimosis, and balanitis can also cause soreness after sex.

• Treatment options are available. Along with treating the underlying cause with medication or surgical procedures if needed, you might find relief with ice packs, over-the-counter pain relievers, or temporary abstinence.

Want more guidance for improving your sexual health? Learn how to have a healthy sex life and find out what happens during a penis exam.