What Causes Sex To Be Painful And How Can It Be Treated?

Because sex and sexual health are not talked about nearly enough, a lot of people have misconceptions about painful sex, and these can themselves lead to further pain and unhappiness if they are left to fester.

Pain during sexual intercourse, known as dyspareunia, is a wide-encompassing condition that describes any type of pain during penetrative sex, from the labia to the uterus, and can include pain during sex, during certain positions or situations, and any time before, during or after sex.

It is a common problem, with an estimated three-quarters of women having a painful sexual experience at some point in their lives, but persistent pain often requires a holistic approach with a gynaecology specialist to diagnose.

It is most commonly caused by a lack of lubrication, it can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, including endometriosis, vulvovaginitis, ovarian cysts, uterine prolapse, vaginal stenosis, skin conditions, bladder issues, menopause and some hormonal changes.

It can also be caused by injuries to the vulva, yeast infections and infections that affect the vagina or uterus.

It is typically diagnosed by a gynaecologist with an examination of your previous health history and a physical examination, including ultrasounds, a pelvic exam, as well as checking the uterus, vagina and abdomen.

It will also include an open conversation about when and how the pain is caused, particularly how often it happens, where, how badly it feels and whether you have had previous conditions or surgeries in the area where you feel pain, as all of these can affect the diagnosis and treatment.

The good news is that in the vast majority of cases, pain during sex can be treated and managed through a combination of different treatments, medication and physical therapy tailored towards the particular condition that needs to be treated.

In many cases, the biggest part of treatment is ascertaining the root cause.