If the experience of a toe-curling orgasm also leads to cramps that make you want to curl up into a ball, you are not alone, and there are a few things you can do to help yourself enjoy your post sex glow.

To Tight

If you are frequently doing kegels to tighten your pelvic floor, you may have actually overtightened it. “When you have involuntary muscle contractions, for the average person, your muscles will relax afterward. If you have tight pelvic floor muscles, those muscles can stay tightened,” says pelvic floor therapist Dr. Samantha DuFlo. The post sex cramps you’re feeling may be essentially a Charlie horse, try stretching out your pelvic floor with some deep squats or any other stretch that opens up your pelvis, just like you would if the cramp was in your calves.

In your head

For many people it is difficult to get out of their heads and fully immersed in sex. The internalization of sexual stigmas can cause a cycle of negative thoughts that can manifest physically. You can try connecting with a sex-positive community or working with a sex therapist to help you become more comfortable with your own sexual desires. This will can help you relax both during and after sex and avoid the over clenching of sexual muscles that often leads to pain post orgasm.

Deeper Issues

If your pain is more like a deep throbbing, there may be a physiological issue causing your pain. Medical conditions like endometriosis or fibroids may be to blame and are more common than you may think. an estimated 200 million people worldwide are affected by endometriosis. And the numbers are even higher for fibroids. Ff you believe that your post sex pain is related to an issue like fibroids or endometriosis, it’s important that you do seek treatment from a medical professional.

If you experience pain during or after sex you should bring it up with your doctor so you can enjoy sex to its fullest potential.