Contents
Painful relationships affect one in ten of us. The problem, although embarrassing for most women, is worth raising during a visit to the gynecologist, because it sometimes has its source in gynecological and obstetric ailments. Consultation with a doctor may determine the elimination of the cause.
If pain during sexual intercourse occurs in men, it is most often related to penile defects, which include a short frenulum and phimosis, or may result from a fungal, bacterial or viral infection. A visit to the doctor is also necessary here.
Pain characteristics
Pain during intercourse may occur, for example, only at the time of inserting the penis into the vagina, but also persist throughout the duration of the intercourse. Sometimes it appears periodically. It also happens that it is related to intercourse with a specific partner.
Dyspareunia does not have to be painful during intercourse, but burning or itching after intercourse.
Somatic causes of painful intercourse in women
The causes of dyspareunia can be both organic and emotional. For many of us, it is only a temporary, self-limiting ailment. Unless the discomfort goes away, the sources of pain in women caused by carnal love can be:
- disorders of the functioning of the genitourinary system,
- vaginal dryness — pain at the beginning of intercourse (it often happens to women who are very physically active or take certain medications),
- atrophic vaginitis,
- inflammation of the genitals,
- inflammation in the pelvic area,
- surgeries performed within the reproductive tract,
- births,
- urinary tract diseases,
- vaginal irritation and allergic reactions resulting from the powder or liquid for fabrics used,
- some sex positions involving deep penetration,
- endometriosis,
- congenital anatomical defects in the structure of the vagina or uterus,
- anatomical changes after radiotherapy or chemotherapy,
- uterine prolapse,
- retroverted uterus,
- inflammation of the bladder
- ovarian cysts,
- irritable bowel syndrome,
- hemorrhoids,
- vaginismus associated with involuntary contractions of the muscles of the vaginal walls – pain when trying to insert the penis into the vagina.
Lubricants help reduce vaginal dryness, they are used ad hoc before intercourse, they do not eliminate the causes of dryness. Estrogen tablets and creams will help menopausal women, while surgical treatment is necessary for anatomical defects. If we suffer from endometriosis, treatment may take the form of laparoscopy or pharmacotherapy. Once the cause has been determined, anti-inflammatory, painkillers or antibiotics may provide relief.
Before starting treatment, the cause should be detected or idiopathic pain, i.e. with an elusive source, should be indicated. Transvaginal examinations and even ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging may be necessary.
Psychogenic causes of painful intercourse in women
Emotional causes may result from traumatic experiences, such as sexual harassment, rape, but also from disturbed relationships with a partner. Dyspareunia is sometimes associated with complexes, stress, anxiety reactions, or mental ailments, such as depression, which requires psychotherapy or medication.