According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology, three out of four women experience painful sex at some point during their lifetime. While this is a common problem, it certainly should not be normalized. It is a problem that can be eliminated with appropriate treatment.
The degree of pain someone experiences during sex varies greatly. For some women, it’s painful every time. For others, the pain is occasional and only in certain positions. Pain may occur at the vulva, the vestibule or deeper within the vagina. Pain may radiate to the perineum, the bladder, the uterus, low back or throughout the pelvic- girdle region.
Painful sex is referred to as dyspareunia. It has a variety of causes. And it is important for your healthcare provider to determine the cause of dyspareunia.
Common causes of dyspareunia are:
Childbirth
Emotional factors
Endometriosis
Fibroids
Menopause
Ovarian Cysts
Pelvic Floor dysfunction
Tightness at the pelvic floor muscles - it’s important to know which muscles and why they are tight or in spasm.
Post-Radiation Treatment
Vaginal Dryness
hormonal
menopause-related
arousal-related
insufficient/incorrect lubrication (read our blog on this here) - it’s important to understand why and what the cause is.
Visit your healthcare provider to discuss painful intercourse. Remember, painful sex is not normal - treatment is available. It will vary depending on the root cause of the pain. If your healthcare provider determines the issue is muscular, you may benefit from seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist. Your treatment will likely entail manual release of muscles, use of vaginal dilators, biofeedback and relaxation techniques.
A team approach is the best approach. There may be more than one cause of painful intercourse. To effectively treat painful sex, the root cause must be identified and treated. Successful treatment will provide both physical and emotional relief.