I have experienced very painful contractions after orgasm for the past several years. My doctors aren't really sure what's causing it, but recently a friend who is a medical student suggested that it could possibly be a malfunction of my pituitary gland that causes my body to think I am giving birth every time I have an orgasm, and releases the hormone that causes the painful contractions of labor. Could this be possible?

Gina

Anything is possible, but what you describe is an unlikely mechanism. All women have uterine contractions with orgasm, but some women don't notice them at all and others find them painful. An exaggerated release of prostaglandins may be the mechanism for your pain, or it may be a coexisting condition like fibroids, adhesions or endometriosis that makes your experience so painful.

One simple suggestion is to take an anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) before you have sex. This can block the effects of prostaglandins. If this ineffective, you may wish to discuss a laparoscopy with your doctor to look for other associated conditions. In this surgical procedure, the doctor inserts a miniature viewing device into your abdomen through a tiny slit and looks directly at the organs there for signs of problems. During the laparoscopy, a LUNA (laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation) could be done. This cuts some of the nerves that supply the uterus and is sometimes used for women with severe menstrual cramps. It may be effective in this case as well.