Endometriosis affects roughly 10 percent (190 million) of women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). A chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, endometriosis can be the cause of infertility. It is often associated with severe pain during periods, bowel movements, and sexual intercourse.
Endometriosis can interfere with the ability to be sexually intimate with your partner. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and the Lovehoney Group has teamed up with sex educator Javay Frye-Nekrasovas to provide tips and recommendations for engaging in partnered and solo sex with endometriosis.
Emotional concerns may include disappointment in not being able to engage in sex with a partner, as one would imagine, as well as frustration with your body. Talk with your partner, share your thoughts, and explore the different avenues of pleasure with each other.
It can take up to 20 minutes for the vulva to be fully aroused. This is important because the vagina elongates when the vulva is aroused, and this can make a big difference in less painful penetrative play.
Masturbation can be beneficial for alleviating pain during intercourse as the release of endorphins and happy hormones can help with discomfort. A warm bath with some Epsom salt might also help with pain so that you can enjoy pleasure during masturbation.
Below are recommendations for use with partnered and solo sex:
Penis Bumpers are a great sex toy option for penetrative sex. It helps to minimise the depth of penetration, thus lessening the potential for pain. Clitoral stimulation is a great option if penetrative play is painful.
The Womanizer Premium 2 is a great clitoral stimulator that uses Pleasure Air technology to simulate oral sex. If you are more of a vibration lover then the We-Vibe Tango X is a great option that packs power in a little package.
For those who want to try out some penetrative play for masturbation, a shorter penetrative toy like the We-Vibe Sync 2 could be a good place to start. It is a dual stimulator that stimulates the clitoris and g-spot at the same time. It also has a remote control as well as an app to allow you to control the stimulation.