Tell us about your symptoms and treatment experience. Take our survey here.

caret icon Back to all discussions

Does endo affect your sex life?

In a fairly new relationship that is getting more serious. Intercourse usually hurts for me, which sometimes makes me want to avoid having it...I haven't told my boyfriend yet but I know I'm going to have to soon...How can I explain it to him?

Have a question? Ask it here!

  1. Hi - thank you so much for reaching out, as I know it can be challenging to talk about how endometriosis impacts your sex life. I know many people here can relate to what you're going through!
    The best answer I can give, is to be honest. Communication is key! Sadly, this is a good way to test how he will handle your symptoms moving forward... sit him down with data and explain all of the ways your Endo affects you and include that sex is apart of that. I hope that he is understanding and wants to offer support. If not, this is something to consider for your time together moving forward. Also, if you are dealing with pain during sex..make sure that you are talking to an endo specialist about it, if you aren't already.
    I'm including some links here that might be helpful to you, including some personal experiences from an advocate, regarding intercourse. I hope this helps. Please keep us updated moving forward. We're here for you!! - Pam (team member)

    https://endometriosis.net/living/effects-libido/
    https://endometriosis.net/coping/relationships-sex/
    https://endometriosis.net/symptoms/pain-having-sex/

    1. Hello , thanks for reaching out, and being so honest and open about this subject. Intimacy is not an easy topic to talk about, and I can so relate to this. I have suffered from painful intercourse for quite a while. Just like Pam mentioned above, communication is key, and it is best to explain what endometriosis means to you whenever you feel comfortable to do so. I find it’s useful to explain how it affects my daily life, with specific examples, so my partner can easily understand what the issues are and not get too confused with the medical terminology us patients are used to.

      The most important thing is that you feel completely comfortable, not only sharing this information, but when you are intimate with your partner. I suffer from a sharp, kind of stabbing pain. Sometimes it happens during, others after intercourse. The best thing I can do is take my time, and make sure that I am being honest and open about how everything feels.

      Please reach out if you have any more questions, or just feel like venting. We’re in this together. – Jessie (team member)

      1. hi there dear warrior. I just wanted to swing back around and see how you have been doing lately. We hope well! Sending hugs <3 -Kimberli (team member)

        Please read our rules before posting.