Dyspareunia Dyspareunia - pain with intercourse

What is Dyspareunia?

Pain during or after sexual intercourse is known as dyspareunia. Although this problem can affect men, it is more common in women. Women with dyspareunia may have pain in the vagina, clitoris or labia.

Pain during sexual intercourse or during menstruation are common conditions. Sometimes these conditions, known as dyspareunia (pain during intercourse) and dysmenorrhea (pain during menstruation), are due to a retroverted uterus or a prolapsed uterus.

Dyspareunia and dysmenorrhea as well as other related conditions can cause physical as well as emotional distress and can effect intimate relationships.

Causes of Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is the medical term for pain during intercourse. Dyspareunia disturbance is not caused exclusively by Vaginismus or lack of lubrication, is not better accounted for by another Axis I disorder (except another Sexual Dysfunction) There are numerous causes of dyspareunia, many of which are treatable.

vaginal dryness.

An allergic reaction to clothing, spermicides or douches.

Endometriosis, an often painful condition in which tissue from the uterine. lining migrates and grows abnormally inside the pelvis.

atrophic vaginitis ( a common condition causing thinning of the vaginal lining in postmenopausal women).

Symptoms of Dyspareunia

Symptoms include a burning, ripping, tearing, or aching sensation associated with penetration. The pain can be at the vaginal opening, deep in the pelvis, or anywhere between. It may also be felt throughout the entire pelvic area and the sexual organs and may occur only with deep thrusting.

Treatment of Dyspareunia

Treatment depends on the cause of dyspareunia:

If vaginal dryness is the problem, you can ease penetration and sexual intercourse with increased clitoral stimulation before intercourse or lubrication with an over-the-counter lubricant such as K-Y jelly, Replens or Astroglide.

For vaginal yeast infections, you will be given anti fungal medication.

Antibiotics will be prescribed for urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted diseases.

To relieve painful inflammation, try sitz baths, which are warm-water baths in a sitting position.

For skin diseases affecting the vaginal area, the treatment will vary depending on the disease. For example, lichen sclerosis and lichen planus often improve with steroid creams.

For vulvar vestibulitis, typical therapies include topical estrogen cream, low-dose pain medications, and physical therapy with biofeedback to lower the muscle tension in the pelvic floor.

For atrophic vaginitis, estrogen therapy will be prescribed, either as a vaginal formulation or as a pill.

If endometriosis is causing your dyspareunia, you may be prescribed medication or you may need surgical procedures to control or remove abnormal growths of uterine tissue.

For dyspareunia that has no apparent physical cause or has lasted for months or years, you may need psychological counseling to address stress or anxiety regarding sexual intercourse.