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Have Spinal Arthritis. Experiencing Sharp Abdominal Pain After Sex. Underlying Cause?

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Posted on Mon, 1 Apr 2013
Question: I am a 47 yo female with some spinal arthritis that I have had for about a decade. No other health issue. I am 5'5" and weigh 120 pounds. I had sex for the first time in three years and about an hour after, I bent over at the waist and experience the sharpest upper abdominal pain ever. No nausea, sweating, or heart palpitations. I curled up in a ball and the pain subsided. A recent gyn check up was, as usual, normal. Periods normal. We did have quite a good time and I had an especially good time. It reminded me of a sharp all over abdominal pain I had after a new Power Pilates exercise, except that pain was duller and presented the following morning when I tried to straighten up. Could that have been muscular? Could it be mechanical or chemical (oxytocin?). My back is no more uncomfortable than usual. I elevated my HR again by running up and down the stairs just to make sure my heart was ok..no pain...no shortness of breath. But it did make my abdominal wall feel mildly sore. It is not tender to press on it.
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Answered by Dr. Enrique Molina (21 minutes later)
Hi XXXXXXX,
The way you describe the pain, it seems that you pulled an abdominal muscle. The fact that it is associated with movement (by you bending over) is highly suggestive of a pulled abdominal wall muscle (most likely the "rectus abdominis" muscle). Plus the fact that you had physical activity which you were not used to makes it even more likely. Transient chemical & hormonal changes in your body are possible but should not cause pain.
I would suggest you to take an anti-inflammatory (an NSAID such as ibuprofen or naprosyn).
Hope that helped. Let me know if you have any further questions.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Enrique Molina

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 364 Questions

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Have Spinal Arthritis. Experiencing Sharp Abdominal Pain After Sex. Underlying Cause?

Hi XXXXXXX,
The way you describe the pain, it seems that you pulled an abdominal muscle. The fact that it is associated with movement (by you bending over) is highly suggestive of a pulled abdominal wall muscle (most likely the "rectus abdominis" muscle). Plus the fact that you had physical activity which you were not used to makes it even more likely. Transient chemical & hormonal changes in your body are possible but should not cause pain.
I would suggest you to take an anti-inflammatory (an NSAID such as ibuprofen or naprosyn).
Hope that helped. Let me know if you have any further questions.