Woman and Home | The best sex positions when you have endometriosis

Details: Written by: Heather Jeffcoat, DPT; Published: 17 June 2021; Last Updated: 10 September 2023; 2775 Views

Tabitha Britt writing for Woman & Home reached out to me for some insight into sex positions when you have endometriosis, and I was glad to discuss this often misunderstood topic. Here is a brief synopsis of the article, along with a link to the full article below.

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

The best sex positions when you have endometriosis can relieve pain and help you regain control of your sex life

If sex has become more of a chore than a pleasure due to endometriosis, it’s time to regain control of your sex life. These sex positions when you have endometriosis will help relieve and eliminate pain, plus help you to enjoy intimacy so much more.

Endometriosis is a chronic and often debilitating condition that causes cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb to grow elsewhere in your body. Although endometriosis is usually found within the pelvic region, such as on the fallopian tubes or the ovaries, cells can grow virtually anywhere including the bowel, bladder, and intestines. If this tissue grows behind the vagina or in between the vagina and the front of the rectum, penetration and other intimate movements can stretch or pull it, resulting in pain during sex.

Painful intercourse is a common symptom of endometriosis, but thankfully there are a few tips and tricks that can ease the pain. They can include using a vibrator solo or with your partner, or finding a sex position that feels best for you.

Seeking effective treatment is the first step towards feeling better,”

says Sandra Larson, nurse, relationship expert, and co-founder of My Sex Toy Guide.

If you’re experiencing pain during sex, during your periods, or in between your period and ovulation, talk to a gynecologist,”

she continues.

Secondly, talk to your partner and have them on board. Be open about the disorder and how it’s affecting your sex life. Experiment with different positions and tactics during sex. Guide your partner through what hurts and what feels good, and allow for some trial and error.”

If you’ve spent months (or years) googling, “the best sex positions when you have endometriosis” and wondering how to have good sex when faced with pain, we’re here to help. We spoke to the experts to finally answer our question—what are the best sex positions when you have endometriosis?

Four of the Best Sex Positions When You Have Endometriosis

3. Doggy pillow

What it is: It’s one of the best sex positions out there and can be totally modified to suit your needs when you have endometriosis. There are no rules when it comes to consensual pleasure. So, if the traditional doggy style position is too painful for you to enjoy, consider the doggy pillow or modified doggy style position. To do this, lie on your stomach and add pillows under your torso if that's more comfortable. Then have your partner lie on top of you and enter you.

Why it’s great:

Rear vaginal entry on hands and knees will allow one of their hands to be free to guide their penetrating partner,”

says Dr. Heather Jeffcoat, author of Sex Without Pain: A Self-Treatment Guide To The Sex Life You Deserve.

If needed, those with endometriosis can also support their torso with a few pillows in this position.”

Make it sexier: Don't want to miss out on seeing your partner’s face during sex? Prop a mirror up in front of you so you can watch them. It can make things even sexier and boosts intimacy.

4. Solo exploration

What is it: Sex doesn't always have to be with a partner, nor does it need to involve penetration, Dr. Jeffcoat points out.

Clitoral stimulation and self-exploration during solo play are safe ways to discover what feels good, and also what hurts.”

Just grab a vibrator, sex toy, or use your hands to find what feels good for you.

Want to know more about the best sex positions when you have endometriosis? Just follow this link to read the full article at Woman & Home.

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Heather's unique physical therapy program literally changed my life! After years of struggling with vaginismus, a condition that made it impossible for me to have intercourse and very difficult to use tampons without pain, a gynecologist referred me to Heather. I was nervous for my first appointment, but Heather's professional and friendly demeanor put me at ease. She did a great job explaining each technique she was using to help my muscles relax. Heather uses a combination of internal and external stretches and exercises to relax the pelvic floor and build muscle strength. Her specially developed home program helped me quickly recover from an issue that seemed insurmountable before meeting Heather. She was optimistic about my progress and incredibly encouraging. Less than 6 months after my first session, I was able to have pain-free sex for the first time in my life! If you are suffering from vaginismus or any other pelvic floor issues, I highly recommend making an appointment with Heather and reading her book!

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No one could tell me why I was having pain during sex--sharp pain, not just uncomfortable, pain. I was referred to Heather Jeffcoat after researching several different options. I had seen a specialist who told me physical therapy would not help and my only option was surgery. I really didn't want to go that route, so when we got a referral, I decided to try it--it can't hurt, I thought. I am so glad I did. She diagnosed the problem right away, which was a relief in itself.

To know why I was having pain eased my mind immensely. And to hear that she could fix it without surgery was another relief. She said she could fix the problem in 6 weeks. I think it was actually 4 for me. She was very methodical, and treated me as an intelligent human being capable of participating in my own recovery. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone. She did not try to prolong my session numbers, she worked hard to accommodate my schedule (and the fact that I had to bring a baby to sessions), and she was completely honest the entire time. It is so hard to find someone with these characteristics, much less a professional who is so good at what she does. She has my highest respect.

-- R.H.

Testimonial by P.M.

I was hopeful but frankly skeptical when the doctor treating me for Interstitial Cystitis recommended that I go to Heather for physical therapy. Medication and diet helped control my IC symptoms, but I had never heard of physical therapy being used to treat IC. The education and treatment I received from Heather was a revelation. She explained that the pain I experienced with IC had helped create a cycle of muscle guarding which affected the entire pelvic area. I had no idea of the amount of tension being held there. No wonder my husband and I had not been able to have sexual intercourse for years!

Read more: Testimonial by P.M.

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After having my second baby via C-section I searched for months to try to find help for my lower back pain and separated abdominal muscles. I finally came across Heather Jeffcoat via a mommy blog. I reached out to her via email and set my first appointment. My first appointment went amazing … she listened to what my symptoms, check my separation and explained to me in detail what the next steps would be. Not only did my abdominal separation go from 3 to about 1 -1/2 but my back has pain has significantly reduced. I’m personally recommending all my mommy friends to Heather!

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Woman and Home | The best sex positions when you have endometriosis, according to the experts

The best sex positions when you have endometriosis can relieve pain and help you regain control of your sex life

If sex has become more of a chore than a pleasure due to endometriosis, it’s time to regain control of your sex life. These sex positions when you have endometriosis will help relieve and eliminate pain, plus help you to enjoy intimacy so much more.