Painful Sexual Intercourse

Dyspareunia is the medical term for painful sexual intercourse, a condition that’s actually much more common than most women know. Many studies suggest that many women suffer from dyspareunia in silence. That should not happen because there are plenty of treatments to relieve symptoms and help women enjoy intimate, physical connections with their partners. Some women with dyspareunia may have pain when using tampons and most women who have pain during intercourse continue to experience symptoms for some time afterward.

Dyspareunia can be caused by many conditions, and determining the underlying cause is the key to ensuring the most effective and most appropriate approach is provided. Some of the most common causes include:

• endometriosis

• hormone fluctuations, including those associated with menopause

• infection

• irritation or inflammation, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

• pelvic organs prolapse (falling of pelvic organs)

• vaginal muscle spasms (called vaginismus)

• anatomical issues

• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

• some types of surgery

• skin problems affecting the tissues surrounding the vagina

• very large cysts or fibroids

• psychological issues including chronic stress, anxiety or relationship problems

Treatment depends on identifying the cause. Treatment options can include:

• lubricants to replace vaginal moisture lost due to aging, disease, medical treatment or injury
• hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replace estrogen lost due to menopause or other issues
• vaginal laser treatments to promote collagen development and restore normal vaginal function

At Advanced Gynecology Practice, each patient’s treatment is carefully developed based on an individualized evaluation of the causes of painful intercourse, which may include a pelvic exam, blood tests, ultrasounds, and other testing modalities.