Does pain from SIBO discourage one from having sex?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

So we need to consider a partial response for the treatment. We should also rule out other causes of abdominal pain. What is the exact site of pain? Is it upper abdomen, lower abdomen, or generalized? Is there any vaginal discharge, burning and frequent urination, or diarrhea? I am keeping the possibility of simple gastritis, usually associated with upper abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, burping, increased pain on food, sour water, and feeling in the throat or chest burning. If associated, she needs some antacids like Esomeprazole and Domperidone combination. Another possibility is a pelvic inflammatory infection of the genital tract, which may cause pain in the lower abdomen and during sex. If it does not fit in either, then the antibiotics course needs to be repeated with another antibiotic. Usually, Rifaximin is given, but if inadequate relief is there, then she should be given a combination regimen of Metronidazole 500 mg three times per day along with Cephalexin 500 mg three or four times per day. She should also receive multivitamin supplements. For immediate pain relief, she can have the antispasmodic tablet Dicyclomine 20 or Hyoscine 10 mg whenever needed, up to three times a day. This should give her symptomatic relief. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him/her and take the medicines with their consent.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I got it. And yes, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is not a probable reason for not having sex. Your doubt is appropriate. If someone is performing so many activities without much difficulty, then there should not be a problem with having sex. Now, you will have to find out the social reasons for this and discuss it tactfully with her. SIBO does not appear to be related to this, considering the scenario.

However, for medical reasons, it is dyspareunia. It is not uncommon for females to face pain during intercourse for multiple reasons. She may be attributing it to SIBO, but it is dyspareunia.

The common cause is a pelvic inflammatory disease, hormonal imbalance, and relationship stressors. So, you discuss with her that it is worthwhile to get examined by a gynecologist once.