photo via Flickr
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,

Every time my boyfriend tries to give me a G-spot orgasm, it feels really good for about a minute. Then I get intense menstrual-like cramps and nausea and he has to stop so I can lay in the fetal position for a while till I can move again. The cramps dont stop for at least a few hours and I feel so stupid when it happens. Please help me!

— G-Whiz

Dear GW,

You’re not the only one who gets pain after orgasm. Called dysorgasmia by some, the pain is caused by intense muscle cramping that can spread to your back or even your rectum, and can last for minutes to hours. Nausea and even vomiting aren’t uncommon with the pain as well. I don’t know how widespread a problem like dysorgasmia is, because it doesn’t appear in the medical texts or literature – I’ve learned more about it from the internet and my patients than anywhere else. For some women it’s a sign of endometriosis, and suppressing their menstrual cycles helps. For others, reducing caffeine and taking an anti-inflammatory (high-dose ibuprofen or naproxen) two hours before sex seems to help. And some women have had to change their birth control method altogether to find relief. If the pain comes anyway, try heat – a heating pad, hot water bottle or soaking in a really hot bath as soon as the pain starts. If none of these measures work, please see your gyno.

— 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.