Dr. Kate is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City and she answers your medical questions every few weeks on EMandLO.com. To ask her your own question, click here.
Dear Dr. Kate,
What does it feel like when a man’s penis hits the cervix during intercourse? I think it’s happened to me, but it doesn’t happen every time my partner and I have intercourse with deeper penetration. Can it hurt the cervix? How can this be avoided during sex while still allowing for deep penetration?
– Perplexed Cervix
Dear P.C.,
Deep penetration during intercourse can be immensely satisfying, and make you feel really connected to your partner….but sometimes has the less-satisfying effect of causing you pain. When the cervix is bumped, it can cause cramping in your uterus that ranges from mild to severe, or cause a dull aching or pressure-like feeling throughout your pelvis. Some women are more prone to cervical contact, if their uterus is tipped back towards their tailbone (or “retroverted”), bringing the cervix up and closer to the vaginal opening. The good news is that while cervical contact may hurt, it doesn’t hurt your cervix – no damage done. The best way to avoid it is to be maximally aroused before penetration – when the vagina is fully engorged, it gets longer and wider, and gives the penis more room to play, hopefully away from your cervix. Extra lubricant couldn’t hurt, as well.
– Dr. Kate
Gynotalk
Dr. Kate is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City. She also lectures nationally on women’s health issues and conducts research on reproductive health. She generously shares her medical wisdom with EM & LO readers every few weeks. Check out more of her advice and ask her a question at Gynotalk.com.
January 26th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
The length of your vaginal canal (and therefore the proximity of your cervix to the entroitus) will vary at different times of month, too, so that may have something to do with “sometimes he hits it, sometimes he doesn’t.”
April 10th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
what about hitting the cervix and causing bleeding? I bleed/ heavy spot for a day or two after intercourse and I know he’s hitting my cervix. Also, it seems that the last time we had intercourse has caused me to actually start my period early. Is this possible?
Please help.
May 14th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
I have rough sex with my partner occasionally and I have noticed that depending on the position we are in I bleed during or after sex. This spotting after sex last for a day or two but it is light and only detectable when I wipe. I have done my annual papsmears and they show no abnormality. I don’t know what is wrong because we use have rougher sex than we do now And i didn’t use to bleed. But for a fact the bleed is evident when my boyfriend goes deep and I do feel like he’s hitting something but it feels good not hurtful. Also, we have been trying to get pregnant but unsuccessful so far, is there anyway that something could be wrong with me. How can I find out if there is? I am 28.