There’s no better way to ruin the mood then ‘’ow, no ouch my hip hurts in that position’’ . Hip pain (in particular labral injuries) can not only make it difficult & uncomfortable to get through the day, it can also put a dampener on your sex life.
Labral injuries are a common hip condition. The labrum is a cartilage structure that runs around the rim of your hip socket (acetabulum). It’s purpose is to make the hip socket deeper and more stable. The labrum can be torn with an acute injury or (more commonly) develop tears secondary to ongoing microtrauma. Often people will complain of a ‘catching’ or ‘clicking’ sensation in the hip joint as you move and it can be accompanied by groin, buttock or lateral hip pain.
When repetitive microtrauma is the cause of a labral tear, it will occur in the upper front part of the ring of cartilage. As your hip moves into a more flexed & outwardly rotated position, the ball of the hip can move up and forward, causing a ‘catch’ on the cartilage.
Click on the link below to watch a video showing normal hip movement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQnMPHoDGEc
So hopefully it begins to make sense as to why certain position during sexual intercourse can become problematic. If we simplify things, any position that causes the hip to be moved into its outer ranges of joint mobility (think bent up & rotated outward) may be more uncomfortable.
This brought me to a quick google of sex positions…. Hopefully nobody checks my browsing history!
NOT SO GOOD
Kamasutra #163 Eagle
#209 Captain
#67 Missionary
GOOD
#39 Bizet
#131 Plain
# four point kneeling
On a serious note, if you are experiencing hip pain with any activity, it’s advisable that you first see a physiotherapist. They will be able to assess what is causing your hip pain and commence management strategies to rectify the problem.
In the meantime, to keep your sex life alive, get Googling and find some positions that allow you to maintain your hip in an inner range.
And I had to have a giggle, but one website article suggested… “Be creative, have patience with yourself, and remain open to new positions.’’
Gillian Burgess
Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) APAM
Bachelor of Exercise Science (BExSc)
