PAINFUL HONEYMOON

Rani was all excited about her honeymoon. She was looking forward to having mind-blowing sex and fun time with her husband Ramesh. The first two days were really great but then came the body blow, literally below the belt. Sex was painful and she started developing cold feet whenever Ramesh approached her. She had to run to the toilet often which discouraged her to go out for romantic walks. Ramesh was confused. How can she have pain when sex has to be a pleasure? Is she avoiding because she is not happy with him?

Rani was not avoiding. She was experiencing a painful condition known as ‘honeymoon cystitis’. And since this condition is known to occur usually during the honeymoon period, it is commonly referred to as Honeymoon cystitis. Vagina and the urethra (urinary passage) are separated from a very thin wall. During the initial intercourse, the man’s penis exerts; pressure on the top wall of the vagina. This pressure on the vaginal wall is relayed to the lower wall of the urinary passage and the urinary bladder (cyst) mechanically. Thus, the urinary passage and bladder of the newlywed woman gets irritated. It’s due to this that she feels the urge to urinate and the subsequent burning sensation. The urine may also contain blood.

‘Cystitis’ in general means inflammation of the (urinary) bladder. There are two main ways through which this can occur: infection and inflammation.

‘Escherichia Coli’ bacteria may enter the urinary opening from the rectum. These bacteria are often found in the perineum (the skin between anus and genitals). Sexual activities like petting, cunnilingus (oral stimulation of female genitals from sexual purposes), or just the movement of the penis will aid the bacteria movement towards vulva. When the male partner does not maintain genital hygiene, he will be passing on the bacteria from his penis.

A sudden spurt in the frequency of intercourse, as during the honeymoon, insufficient vaginal lubrication etc can bruise the skin around the vulva and produce irritation and burning. Very forceful petting of the vulva can also bruise the skin and produce inflammation. Some coital postures will irritate the floor of the urethra (urinary passage) and the bladder.