Do you experience muscle cramps after sex? Do you feel that strain in your leg, lower back, and pelvic muscles while moving around in bed? Is this something you need to worry about? Well, to answer all your queries about post-sex cramps with got in touch with a gynaecologist and a sexologist.
First and foremost, you need to know that period cramps and post-sex cramps are not the same–they very different. However, cramping during orgasm is absolutely normal. Talking about the pain in the uterus and cervix muscles right after intercourse, Dr Sushma Tomar, a gynaeocologist from Fortis Hospital in Kalyan (Mumbai), explains: “During menstruation and ovulation, there are contractions in the uterus. Sex during this time causes pain and aggravated cramps. Even during an orgasm, you may experience pain and that is because there is a sudden increase in blood flow to the pelvis, which is normal.”
To get detailed insights into the causes and remedies of post-sex cramps, we got in touch with Dr Sanjay Kumawat, consultant psychiatrist and sexologist, Fortis Hospital in Mulund (Mumbai).
So what are the causes?
Dr Kumawat explains: “The reasons for cramps after sex is manifold, however, the most common reasons could be mineral and electrolyte deficiencies i.e. sodium and calcium. Weak leg and buttock muscles also cause severe cramps. Not doing back exercises frequently can also be a cause.”
What are the remedies?
Every pain can be relieved. However, if the pain persists for more than two to three days, you may need to consult a gynaecologist or a sexologist. Till then, you can consider fixing the pain or avoid it by these natural remedies suggested by Dr Kumawat.
1. Lemon and salt for the rescue
Consume a glass of nimbu pani with a pinch of salt before and after sexual activity. Lemon water with salt replenishes electrolyte deficiencies, thus preventing cramps.
2. Get your calcium checked
Rectify your calcium deficit under the guidance of your family physician, by taking supplements. Calcium has a major role to play in controlling muscle movements and muscle cramps and flutters can be caused by a calcium deficiency.
3. Strengthen your muscles
Exercise your legs, to make muscles stronger. Thigh-muscle strengthening can be done by holding the horizontal bar at shoulder level. The muscles below the knee joint can be strengthened by pressing a rolled-up semi-soft piece of cloth under the knee joint for 10 to 15 minutes (with appropriate breaks). Back muscles must be strengthened under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
4. If need be, vitamin D3 supplements can be taken
A healthy diet comprising of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables will always come handy for these kinds of cramps. A vitamin D3 supplement can also be taken under the guidance of a physician, as it is a very important component of the skeletomuscular system. Therefore muscle fatigue or bone pains are caused by its deficiency. Hence its level correction are important issues.
