Painful intercourse, also known as dyspareunia, can make intimacy challenging and affect your overall quality of life. We understand that this can be a sensitive topic, and we’re here to provide compassionate care and effective solutions.
Symptoms of Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
Dyspareunia is characterised by pain associated with sexual intercourse. The pain can vary in intensity, location, and timing. It can be described as:
- Pain during penetration: This may be related to insufficient lubrication, muscle tension, or other factors.
- Deep pain: Felt deep inside the pelvis during or after intercourse, often associated with certain positions.
- Pain after intercourse: Some women experience pain or discomfort following sexual activity.
Causes of Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
Dyspareunia can stem from a range of physical and psychological factors.
Physical Causes:
- Insufficient Lubrication: This can be due to hormonal changes (like menopause), medications, or insufficient arousal.
- Vaginal Dryness: Often related to hormonal changes, particularly during menopause, but can also be caused by other factors.
- Infections: Thrush, bacterial vaginosis, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause inflammation and pain.
- Skin Conditions: Conditions like lichen sclerosus or eczema can affect the vulva and cause pain during intercourse.
- Vaginismus: Involuntary muscle spasms in the pelvic floor muscles that make penetration difficult or painful.
- Endometriosis: Tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside the uterus can cause deep pain during intercourse.
- Uterine Fibroids: Noncancerous growths in the uterus can sometimes cause pain during deep penetration.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the female reproductive organs.
- Post-Surgery or Childbirth Changes: Scar tissue or changes in the pelvic floor after surgery or childbirth can contribute to pain.
- Congenital Abnormalities: In rare cases, structural abnormalities of the reproductive organs can cause dyspareunia.
Psychological Causes:
- Stress and Anxiety: Emotional distress can contribute to muscle tension and pain.
- Relationship Issues: Communication problems, unresolved conflicts, or lack of emotional intimacy can affect sexual function and lead to pain.
- Past Trauma: A history of sexual abuse or trauma can make intimacy difficult and painful.
- Fear of Pain: Anticipating pain can create muscle tension and worsen the experience.
Treatment and Management of Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
Addressing dyspareunia requires identifying the underlying cause. Dr. Basu will take a detailed assessment and may recommend additional tests to determine the cause of your pain. Treatment options may include:
- Lubricants: For dryness-related pain.
- Hormone Therapy: For pain related to hormonal changes, particularly during menopause.
- Medications: To treat infections or other underlying medical conditions.
- Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy: To address muscle tension or spasms.
- Therapy or Counselling: To address psychological or relationship issues.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct structural abnormalities or treat underlying conditions like endometriosis or fibroids.
When to See a Doctor
It’s important to consult with Dr. Basu if you are experiencing persistent or recurring pain during intercourse. Don’t hesitate to seek help; effective treatments are available.
