Painful Intercourse

What is painful intercourse?

Painful intercourse, or dyspareunia, refers to pain in your pelvic region that occurs when you have sex. It has many possible causes and is often a symptom of an underlying condition. Painful intercourse can cause one or more different types of discomfort, including:

• Pain upon penetration, including with tampons
• Deep pain with thrusting
• Throbbing pain during and after intercourse
• Burning or stinging
• Cramping or aching

Painful intercourse is more common in women than in men. When you report symptoms of painful intercourse at Women’s Healthcare Consultants of Gwinnett, the team thoroughly evaluates you before planning a conservative treatment. They treat painful intercourse in women of all ages, whether your symptoms are new or if they’ve been recurrent for a long time. 

What causes painful intercourse?

Painful intercourse can come from many different physical factors and psychological factors too. At Women’s Healthcare Consultants of Gwinnett, the team asks about the characteristics of your pain and may perform one or more tests, including a pelvic examination or an ultrasound imaging procedure. Possible physical causes of painful intercourse are:

• Vaginal dryness
• Infections in your vagina or urinary tract
• Vaginismus
• A traumatic injury
• Congenital disabilities
• Illnesses and conditions (endometriosis, fibroids, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.)
• Surgical scarring

Your emotions are strongly tied to your sexual functioning, so they can often manifest in physical pain and symptoms. In some cases, painful intercourse stems from anxiety, depression, stress, or a history of sexual trauma. These factors can make it hard to relax and enjoy sex, which can contribute to or worsen pain during sex. 

How is painful intercourse treated?

Your treatment for painful intercourse is highly personalized according to the cause and contributing factors. If an underlying medical condition is causing your pelvic pain, treating the condition can help improve your comfort during intercourse. The team at Women’s Healthcare Consultants of Gwinnett helps you explore different treatment options and coping strategies to make sex more comfortable for you. Your treatment plan might include:

Medications

Many medications are available for the various underlying causes of painful intercourse and others to address the pain itself. The team might recommend medications to place inside your vagina, topical medications, or oral medications. 

Therapies

Different therapies can help treat various underlying causes of painful intercourse. For example, if vaginal dryness is causing you pain during intercourse, vaginal revitalization treatments like ThermiVa® can help rebuild your tissues and restore blood flow to the region for better lubrication. 

Habit changes

Often, changing your habits around sex can help you enjoy more comfortable sex. The team might recommend using lubricant, communicating with your partner about positions that worsen your pain, or seeking counseling to address any contributing psychological factors. 

If physical intimacy isn’t enjoyable for you because of painful intercourse, don’t hesitate to book an appointment by phone or online at Women’s Healthcare Consultants of Gwinnett today.