Dyspareunia is the term for recurring pain in the genitals or within the pelvic area before, during, or after sex. The pain can be felt externally, on the vulva, or internally in the vagina, uterus, or pelvis. Many cases are due to underlying medical conditions or infections, which are usually treated by identifying and addressing those conditions or infections.
Pain during sex is one of the most common gynecologic problems doctors treat. It affects 10%-20% of people in the United States at some point in their lives, and it affects women more than men.
At Serrano OB/GYN Associates in Serrano, Texas, Dr. Christopher Serrano and his staff diagnose and treat many of the underlying conditions that lead to chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia. If you’re struggling with sex-related pain, here’s what you need to know.
In women, pain during sex can occur if you have one or more of the following conditions:
In men, pain may occur from lack of lubrication, penile disorders, or STIs.
Depending on what’s causing your pain, you may feel:
The most common symptom is pain that occurs at the vaginal opening or deep within the pelvis. It can be distinct only in one area or affect the entire genital region.
What it doesn’t usually cause is bleeding. Any bleeding during intercourse is likely caused by the same underlying medical issue as the pain.
What treatment you get depends in large part on what underlying medical condition is causing your pain. Some treatments don’t require medical intervention, such as in the case of painful intercourse after pregnancy. Wait a minimum of six weeks after childbirth before attempting intercourse, and practice gentleness and patience.
Where pain results from tissue dryness, try water-based lubricants. Some women find it helpful to proactively apply a water-based lubricant to the vagina, vulva, and labia. You should also probably stop using vaginal perfumes, bubble baths, or scented sanitary pads and toilet paper; they make the dryness worse and cause irritation.
Some treatments require prescription medication. If vaginal dryness is the result of menopause, ask Dr. Serrano about estrogen creams, tablets, or other medications. Bacterial STIs require antibiotics, while some virus-caused STIs require antivirals. Other causes of painful sex may also require specific prescription medications.
For cases where there’s no apparent underlying medical cause, you may find sexual therapy helpful. Some things it can help with include unresolved guilt, inner conflicts about the act of sex, or lingering feelings regarding past abuse.
There are several things you can do yourself to manage the pain you feel during or after sex:
The recovery time for dyspareunia varies considerably, depending on the underlying cause of the pain and the length of treatment.
Sex shouldn’t be a painful experience, so if you’re having symptoms, you should come into Serrano OB/GYN Associates for an evaluation to determine the underlying cause. Call the office at 210-761-5308, or book online with us today.
