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PAIN DURING INTERCOURSE
Painful intercourse, called as dyspareunia, is a burning, tearing, ripping, or aching sensation associated with penetration during intercourse. Pain during intercourse is pain or discomfort in a woman's labial, vaginal, or pelvic areas during or after sexual intercourse. This problem is so sensitive that many women find it difficult to consult a physician. But it's important to seek treatment, and in many cases the cause is a physical illness that can be treated.
Causes:
Pain during intercourse can be caused by a wide variety of reasons:
- The most common cause is having intercourse without sufficient arousal and lubrication. This experience may make a woman to fear intercourse which in turn makes it more difficult to become aroused. Stress or problems in your relationship can also block arousal. Counseling may help address these psychological issues, and over-the-counter lubricants can increase lubrication and reduce discomfort.
- Another frequent explanation for painful intercourse is thinning and drying of the vaginal tissue as menopause begins. This happens because the body is producing less estrogen that causing the vagina to become dry, itchy, and painful, leading to discomfort during intercourse. Estrogen creams and lubricating gels can help restore moisture, as can estrogen replacement therapy taken in pills or through a patch on the body.
- Tipped or retroverted uterus - Some women with a tipped uterus may have pain during intercourse.
- Endometriosis - The tissue lining the uterus may grow outside the uterus causing deep pain during sex.
- Infection - Bacterial or yeast infections are one of the most common causes of pain during intercourse.
- Vulvodynia - In this condition, the vulva is hypersensitive and extremely tender to touch.
- Drug side effects - Drugs including those for allergy, high blood pressure or depression may affect the amount of vaginal lubrication, and may cause lack of sexual arousal and desire.
- Physical problems - Scar tissue from abdominal surgery or from delivering a baby can give pain during intercourse. A cyst on an ovary may also cause pain.
- Pelvic floor myalgia - Pelvic floor muscle spasms can result in difficult and uncomfortable sex.
- Emotional issues - Sometimes, emotional issues such as sexual abuse or communication problems in a relationship may also give pain.
- Unintentional muscle spasms of the thighs, pelvis, and vagina can make penetration impossible.
- Scars, tumors, or anything that narrows the vagina
- Intact hymen (in virginal young women)
When to Seek Medical Care
A woman should always consult a health care provider if she is experiencing intense pain, bleeding or discharge following intercourse.
Pain related to intercourse is a condition that can be checked by your gynecologist. Other specialists, such as a psychiatrist and a urologist, may also be consulted depending on the underlying cause. Only consultation with a physician or another health care professional will help you find out why you experience pain and will help you find a solution. If the problem is due to some disease or infection, your doctor may give you appropriate treatment for it.
Self-Care at Home
Applying lubricating gels to the outer sexual organs, including the vagina, the vulva and labia may be helpful to women in easing the pain during intercourse. Sex toys, such as vibrators or dildos, may also be useful. A woman should talk with her health care provider before attempting to use a vaginal dilator.