Painful Intercourse: Solutions to Consider
Up to 20% of American women deal regularly with pain during intercourse, a condition known as dyspareunia. But whether it’s chromic or occasional pain, this type of discomfort during sex can adversly affect your personal life.
Painful intercourse can happen for a variety of reasons, and finding treatment means understanding the causes and other symptoms that may be associated with it.
Women in the Boston, Massachusetts, area who are experiencing pain during intercourse can find help with Dr. Neeraj Kohli and the experienced staff at BostonUrogyn. We can help you with pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and a wide variety of other urogynecological needs.
Causes of painful intercourse
A variety of conditions can cause you to experience pain during intercourse, including:
Vaginal dryness
Menopause
Skin disorders
Infections (e.g, UTIs, STIs)
Injury or trauma
Vulvodynia
Endometriosis
Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Uterine fibroids
Any of these can lead to problems in your intimate relationships and make you less willing to engage in sex. Emotional factors such as stress, psychological issues, and a history of sexual abuse and rape can also cause you to experience pain during sex.
Related symptoms
In addition to pain during sex, you may also experience pain in your urethra and bladder, pain after intercourse (whether you felt pain during sex or not), burning, itching, aching, a stabbing pain similar to cramps, or pain with tampon use.
It’s also possible to experience these issues with specific partners or under specific conditions, depending on the cause of the pain.
To understand what’s causing you to experience painful intercourse, Dr. Kohli evaluates your symptoms and medical history and performs a comprehensive exam, including a pelvic exam and lab tests.
He might also use advanced imaging tests, such as ultrasound, to determine the best course of treatment.
Methods of treatment
Treatment varies depending on the cause of the pain.
Lubrication can help treat vaginal dryness, medical creams can be applied for skin conditions, and topical estrogen can help with issues related to menopause. Antibiotics are used to manage infections.
Fibroids or endometriosis may need surgery, depending on the severity of your condition.
For emotional stresses that lead to pain, desensitization therapy provides vaginal relaxation exercises to help decrease pain. Sex therapy or counseling can help you cope with negative emotional repsonses and other personal issues.
Don’t be ashamed to seek therapy if you’re struggling to be happy during sex.
Many conditions can lead to painful intercourse, but expert help is available if you’re suffering. To make an appointment with Dr. Kohli and BostonUrogyn, call one of our Boston area locations, including Wellesley and South Weymouth, or book your appointment online today.
