What is dyspareunia?
Many women experience painful sexual intercourse at some point during their lives. But, if you suffer chronic pain during sex or from any vaginal penetration, including tampons, you may have dyspareunia.
Dyspareunia describes the recurrent or persistent pain that occurs before, during, or after sexual intercourse. Symptoms typically include:
- Aching or burning pain
- Deep vaginal pain during thrusting
- Continuous throbbing pain following sexual intercourse
- Pain upon vaginal penetration, during sex or when anything is inside the vagina
This type of vaginal discomfort can have a variety of causes that are both physical and emotional.
What causes dyspareunia?
Painful sexual intercourse can have several causes, including:
- Cancer treatments
- Not enough lubrication
- Scarring from surgeries
- Congenital abnormalities
- Genital or urinary tract inflammation or infections
- Involuntary spasming of the vaginal wall (vaginismus)
- Medical conditions like ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease
Sometimes dyspareunia has emotional causes. Not only can stress make your pelvic floor muscles tense up, but anxiety, depression, and intimacy issues can affect your levels of arousal leading to sexual discomfort. Having a history of sexual abuse can also play a role in painful intercourse.
How is dyspareunia diagnosed?
The sensitive all-female experts at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists work closely with you to identify the cause of your pain to recommend the best treatment option.
During your appointment, your team member discusses your personal and medical history. She also talks about your symptoms, when they began, and asks about your sexual history.
Your provider also performs a full physical examination, including a pelvic exam to look for signs of infection, structural anomalies, or irritation. Because she inserts a speculum into your vagina to hold the vaginal walls open, you may experience discomfort. Your provider is as gentle as possible and can stop the physical exam if you’re in too much pain.
Depending on your physical examination, your team member might recommend additional tests like a pelvic ultrasound to reach her diagnosis.
How is dyspareunia treated?
Your health provider might recommend several therapies to ease your dyspareunia symptoms, such as:
- Treatment for medical issues like ovarian cysts
- Medications to treat infections or correct lubrication problems
- Vaginal rejuvenation treatments like ThermiVa® therapy
- Relaxation techniques for the vaginal muscles
- Counseling or sex therapy to manage emotional factors
- Sexual modifications like using lubricants and trying different positions
To find treatment options for dyspareunia, call MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists, or schedule an appointment online today.
