Sex and Pain

Posted on August 26th, 2008 by olga

Dyspareunia (intercourse pain) can cause problems in a couple’s sexual relationship. Painful intercourse can have harmful emotional effects in addition to the physical pain, so the difficulty should be addressed as soon as it becomes clear.

Female sexual pain can be caused by the following reasons:
In many cases, a woman can experience pain for the duration of sex if there is not enough vaginal lubrication. In these cases, the pain can be resolved if the female becomes more relaxed, if the amount of foreplay is enlarged, or if the pair uses a sexual lubricant.

In some cases, a woman can undergo aching intercourse if one of the following conditions is present:

Vaginismus
This is an ordinary condition in which there is a spasm in the vaginal muscles, principally caused by the fear of being hurt.

Vaginal infections
These conditions are ordinary and take in yeast infections.

Problems with the cervix (opening to the uterus)
The penis can achieve the cervix at maximum penetration. Consequently, problems with the cervix (for example infections) can cause pain for the duration of deep penetration.

Problems with the uterus
These may take in fibroids that can cause deep intercourse pain.

Endometriosis
A condition in which the endometrium (tissue lining the uterus) produces outside the uterus.

Problems with the ovaries
Such problems might take in cysts on the ovaries.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
The tissues deep inside become badly inflamed, and the pressure of intercourse causes deep pain.

Ectopic pregnancy
A pregnancy in which a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus.

Menopause
The vaginal lining can lose its normal moisture and turn into dry.

Intercourse too soon after surgery or childbirth

Sexually transmitted infections
These may consist of genital warts, herpes sores or other STDs.

Injury to the vulva or vagina
These injuries may consist of a tear from childbirth or from a cut (episiotomy) in the perenium (area of skin between the vagina and the anus) that is made for the duration of labor.

How can sexual pain in women be treated?

Some treatments do not need medical interference. For instance, in the case of aching intercourse following pregnancy, wait as a minimum six weeks after childbirth earlier than attempting intercourse. Confirm to practice gentleness and patience. Try water based lubricants in cases in which there is vaginal dryness or a lack of lubrication.

Some treatments for female sexual pain do have need of a doctor’s care. Ask a health care professional about estrogen creams or other prescription medications if vaginal dryness is because of menopause. Other causes of painful intercourse as well may require prescription medications.

Sexual therapy might be helpful for cases of sexual pain in which there is no underlying medical cause. Some persons may need to resolve issues such as guilt, inner conflicts concerning sex, or feelings regarding a past abuse.

Call a doctor if there are warning signs for example bleeding, genital lesions, irregular periods, vaginal discharge, or involuntary vaginal muscle contractions and ask for a recommendation to a certified sex counselor if there are other anxieties that need to be addressed.