Dear thiessen,

Different things can cause pain during intercourse. Sometimes the hymen — the thin skin that stretches across the opening of the vagina — is not stretched open enough or the woman has a vaginal infection, which needs to be treated. Other times pain indicates that the woman is not yet sexually aroused enough and the vaginal entrance is not lubricated enough for penetration. Having anxiety about sex may also make sex more painful and may be the body's way of telling a woman, "I'm not ready" or "I don't want to have sex with this person."

Some women who feel they are ready to have sex for the first time help themselves by stretching the hymen open before starting intercourse by putting a clean finger into the vagina and gently pushing it from side to side over the course of several weeks.

If women do feel pain, it is important for them to talk to their partners about it and stop having vaginal intercourse until they can enjoy it without pain.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.