![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65dc7148be443.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d2811ba6.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65def3479a208.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d29d5fce.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d2a75659.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d28a781b.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d295880e.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d1507cf8.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d12b4c49.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d11651d3.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d068380e.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d067ad4c.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d0783582.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d10938f1.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d0d960b8.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d0bd3f99.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d0d742f8.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d0ccd881.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d0a62de7.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d09c9e2f.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d062f772.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d012d8cb.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61cfe8fdbc.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65def347063ac.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d03c01c0.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61cfe3f2a6.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d03c7698.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61cfebd7f9.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d61d003219e.jpg)
![Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65def346ef1de.jpg)
See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Everything gets flushed with blood, and body parts get bigger
- Sexual arousal means a lot of blood flushes women’s erogenous areas, so breasts will get larger, and so will the vagina.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Some women might not even notice the blood flushing
- “Many women experience a ‘sex flush’ during arousal. Relaxation of blood vessels can cause a noticeable, red discoloration of the skin of the neck and chest that may go unnoticed with the lights off,” explains Jonathan Schaffir, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Ohio State University.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Vaginal dryness
- Lubrication is very important when it comes to sex, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen naturally. Yes, a woman can be aroused and dry up suddenly.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal dryness can be painful for both women and men, but luckily there’s an easy fix: lubricant.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Need to pee
- It’s pretty common for women to feel like they need to pee when they have penetrative sex, and the sensation can be exacerbated by certain positions.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Need to pee
- This happens for a few reasons, namely pressure on the bladder and g-spot stimulation. It goes without saying that going to the bathroom before having sex is the best way to prevent this.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Painful urination
- Speaking of pee, having the urge to do so and this being painful are both signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are pretty common in women, because anatomically it’s easy for bacteria to travel to the bladder.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Honeymoon cystitis
- UTIs are actually pretty common when a woman has sex for the first time or after a long period of abstinence. There’s even a name for it: “honeymoon cystitis.”
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- If no other symptoms develop, over-the-counter treatment and good hydration should suffice.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Vaginal gas
- Vaginal gas, aka vaginal flatulence, occurs when air gets trapped during intercourse and then it’s released, sounding like farts.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Vaginal gas
- Passing these may feel a bit embarrassing, especially when it happens for the first time, but it’s completely normal and, indeed, harmless.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Flatulence
- Yes, real farting can happen, especially during the big O. Muscle contraction experienced during climax and can trigger the involuntary release of gas. Again, there is nothing to worry about. It’s just the human body doing a human body thing.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Headaches
- Headaches can happen in every stage of the sexual act, and the severity of these can vary. These are often caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck, or have a vascular root cause.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Headaches
- Sexual benign headaches that occur during or after climax are usually caused by a rapid increase in blood pressure and blood vessel dilation. But while they do affect women, these types of headaches are actually more common in men.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Painful intercourse
- Dyspareunia is the term used to describe genital pain experienced before, during, or after intercourse. This is actually pretty common, and the reasons for it can vary and range from psychological to physical conditions.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Painful intercourse
- Causes may include vaginal atrophy, vaginismus, endometriosis, STIs, and a wide range of mental health issues. As such, treatment varies and will need to address the root cause.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Bleeding
- A woman’s period may just start during intercourse. Unexpectedly seeing blood may be a bit frightening, but sometimes it’s just an unplanned start of menstruation.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Bleeding
- Sometimes, though, bleeding can be a sign of something else, like an STI, vaginal tears, or inflammation of the cervix. Some women may be able to tell the difference, but when in doubt it’s important to get it checked out.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Bleeding
- Spotting afterwards may occur. Again, it may be nothing to worry about, but bleeding should never be ignored.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
It can get itchy
- Sometimes it gets itchy down there during or after sex. This is often caused by irritation due to friction during intercourse.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
It can get itchy
- This may, however, be a sign of sensitivity or allergy to latex condoms or a specific lube.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
What’s that funky smell?
- There is an exchange of bodily fluids during sex, and sometimes the combination of two sweaty bodies does smell a bit weird for some people.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
What’s that funky smell?
- Things can get even more funky when unprotected sex takes place. This is because the vaginal pH is different from that of semen, and the result of the mix may not be very pleasant.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Cramps
- Some women experience menstrual-like cramps when they climax. The muscles in the pelvis and pelvic floor can contract involuntarily, and that can be painful. It is, however, usually a temporary response.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Sadness and/or mood swings
- Some women experience a range of unpleasant emotional responses after sex, many of which include feelings of sadness.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Sadness and/or mood swings
- “Post-sex sadness, anxiety, or agitation can feel confusing and uncomfortable, especially for those who are used to experiencing pleasure and closeness with their partners following sexual activity,” explains Elizabeth A. Grill, an associate professor of psychology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Sadness and/or mood swings
- This is also known as post-coital tristesse, or post-coital dysphoria, and it affects both women and men.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
It’s leaking!
- If a woman has sex without a condom with a man, then it’s normal for some semen to leak out of a woman’s body. Peeing after sex may help flush it out.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Laughter
- Some women laugh uncontrollably when they reach the big O. The exact mechanisms are not fully understood, and some women do have involuntary responses such as spontaneous laughter. Sources: (Business Insider) (Cosmopolitan) (Everyday Health) (The Guardian)
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Everything gets flushed with blood, and body parts get bigger
- Sexual arousal means a lot of blood flushes women’s erogenous areas, so breasts will get larger, and so will the vagina.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Some women might not even notice the blood flushing
- “Many women experience a ‘sex flush’ during arousal. Relaxation of blood vessels can cause a noticeable, red discoloration of the skin of the neck and chest that may go unnoticed with the lights off,” explains Jonathan Schaffir, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Ohio State University.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Vaginal dryness
- Lubrication is very important when it comes to sex, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen naturally. Yes, a woman can be aroused and dry up suddenly.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal dryness can be painful for both women and men, but luckily there’s an easy fix: lubricant.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Need to pee
- It’s pretty common for women to feel like they need to pee when they have penetrative sex, and the sensation can be exacerbated by certain positions.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Need to pee
- This happens for a few reasons, namely pressure on the bladder and g-spot stimulation. It goes without saying that going to the bathroom before having sex is the best way to prevent this.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Painful urination
- Speaking of pee, having the urge to do so and this being painful are both signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are pretty common in women, because anatomically it’s easy for bacteria to travel to the bladder.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Honeymoon cystitis
- UTIs are actually pretty common when a woman has sex for the first time or after a long period of abstinence. There’s even a name for it: “honeymoon cystitis.”
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- If no other symptoms develop, over-the-counter treatment and good hydration should suffice.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Vaginal gas
- Vaginal gas, aka vaginal flatulence, occurs when air gets trapped during intercourse and then it’s released, sounding like farts.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Vaginal gas
- Passing these may feel a bit embarrassing, especially when it happens for the first time, but it’s completely normal and, indeed, harmless.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Flatulence
- Yes, real farting can happen, especially during the big O. Muscle contraction experienced during climax and can trigger the involuntary release of gas. Again, there is nothing to worry about. It’s just the human body doing a human body thing.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Headaches
- Headaches can happen in every stage of the sexual act, and the severity of these can vary. These are often caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck, or have a vascular root cause.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Headaches
- Sexual benign headaches that occur during or after climax are usually caused by a rapid increase in blood pressure and blood vessel dilation. But while they do affect women, these types of headaches are actually more common in men.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Painful intercourse
- Dyspareunia is the term used to describe genital pain experienced before, during, or after intercourse. This is actually pretty common, and the reasons for it can vary and range from psychological to physical conditions.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Painful intercourse
- Causes may include vaginal atrophy, vaginismus, endometriosis, STIs, and a wide range of mental health issues. As such, treatment varies and will need to address the root cause.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Bleeding
- A woman’s period may just start during intercourse. Unexpectedly seeing blood may be a bit frightening, but sometimes it’s just an unplanned start of menstruation.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Bleeding
- Sometimes, though, bleeding can be a sign of something else, like an STI, vaginal tears, or inflammation of the cervix. Some women may be able to tell the difference, but when in doubt it’s important to get it checked out.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Bleeding
- Spotting afterwards may occur. Again, it may be nothing to worry about, but bleeding should never be ignored.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
It can get itchy
- Sometimes it gets itchy down there during or after sex. This is often caused by irritation due to friction during intercourse.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
It can get itchy
- This may, however, be a sign of sensitivity or allergy to latex condoms or a specific lube.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
What’s that funky smell?
- There is an exchange of bodily fluids during sex, and sometimes the combination of two sweaty bodies does smell a bit weird for some people.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
What’s that funky smell?
- Things can get even more funky when unprotected sex takes place. This is because the vaginal pH is different from that of semen, and the result of the mix may not be very pleasant.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Cramps
- Some women experience menstrual-like cramps when they climax. The muscles in the pelvis and pelvic floor can contract involuntarily, and that can be painful. It is, however, usually a temporary response.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Sadness and/or mood swings
- Some women experience a range of unpleasant emotional responses after sex, many of which include feelings of sadness.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Sadness and/or mood swings
- “Post-sex sadness, anxiety, or agitation can feel confusing and uncomfortable, especially for those who are used to experiencing pleasure and closeness with their partners following sexual activity,” explains Elizabeth A. Grill, an associate professor of psychology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Sadness and/or mood swings
- This is also known as post-coital tristesse, or post-coital dysphoria, and it affects both women and men.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
It’s leaking!
- If a woman has sex without a condom with a man, then it’s normal for some semen to leak out of a woman’s body. Peeing after sex may help flush it out.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Laughter
- Some women laugh uncontrollably when they reach the big O. The exact mechanisms are not fully understood, and some women do have involuntary responses such as spontaneous laughter. Sources: (Business Insider) (Cosmopolitan) (Everyday Health) (The Guardian)
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
Unexpected things that can happen to women during sex
From gas to mood swings
© Shutterstock
Women's sexuality has many nuances when it comes to pleasure, pain, and emotional responses. Indeed, women's unique reproductive system comes with its pros and cons with regards to sex and medical conditions, and some of these are not addressed often enough. It is true that women's sexuality has never been so openly discussed as it is in this day and age, but some myths and taboos still persist.
In this gallery, we look at some of the unexpected things that can happen to women during sex. Curious? Then click on!
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![Can red meat cause type 2 diabetes?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c1da976cb.jpg)
![The true dangers of West Nile virus](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d99bcbae9d8.jpg)
![Does sleeping in during the weekend lower your health risks?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5876a2092a.jpg)
![Ozempic diet? What you should (and shouldn't) eat on GLP-1 medication](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d85a717d263.jpg)
![Everything you need to know about multiple sclerosis](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84c35eca80.jpg)
![Easy daily habits for a faster metabolism](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8470494ed7.jpg)
![Can you reverse type 2 diabetes?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8460d476cc.jpg)
![Eat these foods if you want to lower your blood pressure](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83f5b288d9.jpg)
![These are the worst things you could do for your eyes](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83dab62128.jpg)
![The warning signs of young onset dementia](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82ede64f52.jpg)
![The ways holding in a sneeze can damage your body](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8284b04272.jpg)
![Do women go through midlife crises?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d1bfab43d6b.jpg)
![Common overlooked signs of depression](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668fd41f59792.jpg)
![Scary secrets your surgeon definitely won’t tell you](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6683dd12553bf.jpg)
![These cancers are on the rise in younger generations](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d048e3bf50d.jpg)
![Could eating meat give you a UTI?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d09b6cbecf0.jpg)
![Hypochlorhydria: when your stomach can’t break down food](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d041bcb43a2.jpg)
![The history of the World Health Organization](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_5e6b374cf2e67.jpg)
![Triple E: Why is eastern equine encephalitis potentially so deadly?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66cf3d75c3f5a.jpg)
!["Sloth fever": How dangerous is the Oropouche virus?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6669b3cdd53ba.jpg)
![What happens to your body if you only eat fruit?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c857f4693d3.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c852c290ac6.jpg)
![Sensitive skin: causes, care, and when to seek help](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c376117d4a4.jpg)
![Times the WHO declared a public health emergency](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c32810ceeb6.jpg)
![The six types of depression, according to science](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66ba2976bc8df.jpg)
![Makhana: The superfood taking over fields in northern India](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66bf7c5f37817.jpg)
![The aggressive brain cancer that kills in record time](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66ab8e429e16a.jpg)
![The oldest known diseases in the world](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66bb8ad5ca1dc.jpg)
![If you have these symptoms, you could be allergic to the sun](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66bf256eefff6.jpg)
![Nighttime fitness: is working out in the evening a good idea?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b6468038992.jpg)
![The incredible benefits of exercising with friends](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b630c4decc6.jpg)
![Everything you need to know about melasma](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b1ed1dd50b1.jpg)
![Step into slim: your guide to walking for weight loss](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b0c4e0e4927.jpg)
![What is an existential crisis, and how can you overcome it?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b3714413ee9.jpg)
![Should your kids be more active? Follow these tips](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b3a1725423b.jpg)
![Everything you need to know about Graves' disease](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b63a8f2659a.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week