Does sex cause everyone to flare?

[Dees1977]

Does sex cause everyone to flare? I am feeling somewhat better...I am scared to have sex that it will cause me to flare. If you are going to flare .. how long does it take? I havent' ever noticed any problem before.. Thanks

[dyno]

Hi Dee,
Each person is different. For me, certain positions caused more pain than others and usually my frequency will increase afterwards for a day or so. The main thing is to have open communication with your partner and let them know what hurts and doesn't.

[windwalker]

Most of the time, yea a mild flare, I have had larger flares from sex, but not often. I usually take a pyridium before and a heating pad for the ab, and an icypack for the urethral area after. Seems to help a bit.

[Dees1977]

So sex can affect your urethra..IT can hurt during and after? See I wasnt paying attn. to what was hurting me and when..Now I am it has been 3 weeks since my hydro/cysto and I can have sex again..I am scared to do it>

[windwalker]

I get urethral burning up to two days after. I can understand being nervous and scared about trying again. Let him know how u feel and both take it real easy.

[Trying2Cope]

OK, sorry if this sounds a bit graphic...but it may help you.

Try a different position. Have him enter you from behind. There will be less friction on your urethra that way. Also, use LOTS of lube. Experiment with different kinds. I find KY is too gunky and causes problems. DON'T use the KY "warming gel". You may also find that oral sex causes fewer problems for you. You can also get very creative with vibrators and other forms of sex (even anal). You won't know what will work for you unless you try.

Before my diagnosis, my wife and I were always going at it (2-3 times a DAY). After diagnosis, it was practically zero. But with some experimentation, treatment for my IC and a LOT of patience on the part of my wife, I find we are able to have a satisfying sexual relationship again, with little to no pain.

[massagedoula]

Like Windwalker said, cold packs afterwards to stop the natural swelling of the area are good. I then follow it with a warm shower, then my husband does my pelvic floor therapy. I freeze water bottles so I can put them between my legs afterwards. I also put an ice pack on the suprapubic area too. I always get a mild flare but it is not horrible, it goes away after a few hours. We are very gentle during it and after I have an orgasm I can't have any vaginal sex or simulation anymore, because I am over sensitive, so then we have to do "outside stuff" for my husband. Sorry so graphic but maybe it will help.

[kmmk]

i was not diagnosed with IC but urethritis/ urethral syndrome.
and most of my problems began with sex and are provoked by sex.
symptoms usually of burning, frequency, urgency start up anytime from the day after sex..all the way up to two or three days later!
and then it lasts a few days.
it simply feels like inflammation (what the urologist said she saw in my urethra during the in office cysto).
i noticed acidic things like lemons , citrus irritate it more.
to think..when i was thinking it was a UTI i was downing cranberry juice..
little did i know that was probably irritatiing me even more!
i miss the days of having sex without that awful after effect..
some days i wonder will it ever go away?
will i ever be normal again.
i feel like a freak.

[windwalker]

(((Hugs))) Kmmk, I'd say almost all of us know how you are feeling. At least we are lucky to find a place like this to share :)

[kmmk]

thanks for your warm welcome..i have already read many of your posts and found them helpful! even though i was not diagnosed with IC ..is is ok to post here ..since i can relate to some of the symptoms of urethral burning etc..especially days after sex.
it is awful and depressing and im not one to get depressed over things at all.
also..wanted to say that actual sex does not hurt..its after wards.
again,.thanks for your welcome ..and i do feel greatful for this board..
it does help and make me feel like im not alone with these symptoms/ sydrome.
whatever you want to call it! lol
thank god..today i feel good..i have not had any more lemons! lol :-)

[windwalker]

lol, skip lemons ;)

[kmmk]

thanks again ! lol :-)
you are very pretty by the way !

[windwalker]

:) (blushing) thanks :)

[te34resa]

and you husband looks good too! :)

[emilyrose197377]

sex causes me to flare big time.

Kim

[kmmk]

if sex causes you to flare big time...what do you do then?
limit amount of sex ??
because i will have sex..and then it flares about 24-48hours afterwards and last a few days..so,i dont want to have sex until it goes away...that could be a week or so later...
is this what most of you experience too??
really puts a damper on our sex lives! lol. to say the least!

[rhea]

For me sex used to be ok-as long as I did all the pre/post things correctly we were ok. I would flare 2 outa 6 times. But in the last couple of years we have gone from 2-3 times a week to maybe 2-3 times a month. Sex hurts. Flare afterwards for 2 days. Like Windtalker urethral burning is horrible for me too. The best trick I have learned to help the most is take a condom, fill with water then freeze. Take outta freezer right before sex then when you are done it is right by the bed to be used immediately. But like everyone will tell you the key is LOTS OF COMMUNICATION with your partner to help you through it mentally as well as physically, because I know for me, like others, it is very depressing to be scared of sex. Good luck hone-I hope you find some "tricks" that work for you!!!