Pain | Kinsey Confidential

Navigating a Sea of Sex Toys: A Cordial Introduction

There are an awful lot of sex toys out there, and a lot of them look more likely to tune your carburetor than to get your rocks off! Here's a quick guide.
Q&A: Boyfriend Wants To Try A Penis Cage

There’s no strict list of what is and isn’t considered BDSM so if your boyfriend doesn’t consider it BDSM, then it’s not BDSM to him.
Q&A: I Experience Pain During Sex. How Can I Learn To Relax?

Often, women who feel that they are not able to experience vaginal penetration are given a diagnosis of vaginismus.
Q&A: My Partner Experiences Pain During Penetrative Sex

Chronic vaginal or vulvar pain is experienced by about 10 to 15% of women in the United States.
Q&A: I Chafed My Penis When I Was Masturbating

Sometimes men masturbate with an object other than their hand, which can create excessive friction and thus pose a higher risk for irritation or chafing.
Q&A: When I Haven’t Had Sex For A While, I Bleed A Lot. Why?

If you find that you are bleeding during sex, then I would recommend checking with a healthcare provider.
Q&A: Why Does My Girlfriend’s Vagina Get So Dry During Sex?

Women vary in how much vaginal lubrication they produce. Young women tend to have high levels of estrogen, which influences the production of lubrication.
Q&A: Healing Time For Genital Cuts And Tears

Genital cuts and tears can make sex uncomfortable and possibly increase the risk for further infection if not treated correctly.
Q&A: Genital Itching and Burning After Sex

A female reader wonders why she is suddenly having genital irritation (burning) after sex.
Q&A: Pain From Using A New Vibrator

Using a new vibrator can be a fun experience, but one reader wonders if they could have injured themselves with the new toy.
Q&A: I’m Curious – What Does Sex Feel Like?

A reader is curious and wonders what sex feels like. Dr. Debby says it depends on a wide variety of factors: type of sex, the partner, or mood.
Q&A: Pain From Sex Partner With Large Penis

A reader wonders if her partner's penis is too large to have comfortable vaginal intercourse.
Q&A: How Common Is Anal Sex Among Heterosexual Couples?

Dr. Debby Herbenick addresses a hot topic among our Kinsey Confidential readers - anal sex, specifically, how many heterosexual couples have it.
Q&A: Sex During Your Period And Increased Bleeding

Dr. Debby Herbenick answers a question from a reader about sex during menstruation and the possibility of vaginal intercourse causing more bleeding.
Q&A: Spinal Pain At Orgasm

Question from a reader who experiences lower spinal cord pain after orgasm from masturbation
Q&A: How Can I Have An Orgasm?

Q&A about problems with orgasm both alone and with a partner including pain with stimulation of the clitoris.