Dyspareunia is another name for painful intercourse. Maybe you haven’t heard of it, but chances are you’ve experienced it at least once during your sex life. From the hand of Intimina, we tell you everything you need to know.
Pain during sex or dyspareunia can be just a mild discomfort or it can be unbearable and the intensity of the pain can seriously affect your mental and physical health. Research shows that up to 30% of women experience dyspareunia during their lifetime, which may seem daunting considering that sex should be pleasurable and not painful.
When do you feel pain?
Painful intercourse involves pain during penetration and post intercourse. Whatever the case, if it happens frequently, it is important to visit a gynecologist.
Why does it cause pain?
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
STIs are infections that are usually spread through unprotected sex (sex without a condom) but can be spread through the mouth to the genitals or from the hands to the genitals. STIs usually present with some discharge or pain, itching, etc. Remember that you can also simply experience pain during intercourse or another symptom, treatment is necessary because untreated STIs can have unintended long-term consequences.
Inflammation and skin disorders
The cause of the skin changes can be an STI, but it could also be an imbalance in the vaginal flora and an overgrowth of yeast or yeast infections. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution for that: probiotics and a topical cream.
injury and irritation
Causes of trauma and injury, such as episiotomy, cesarean section, endometriosis, hysterectomy, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic floor prolapse, etc. They can scar the pelvic floor and this scarring can lead to some discomfort and even pain.
vaginismus
Vaginismus is a condition in which the muscles around the vaginal entrance contract
involuntarily, making penetration difficult and painful. The causes are multiple but generally include mental and physical problems that must be considered and treated.
lubrication problems
The most likely reason for pain during intercourse is insufficient lubrication when everything else is excluded, if there is not enough lubricant, friction will cause an unpleasant sensation. Low estrogen levels often cause vaginal dryness. That means your natural lubrication changes depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. It also means that some periods of your life, like perimenopause, will require you to use lube more often, but that’s not something to worry about. What could help? Sexual games and use plenty of lubricant.
How to find a solution?
Once you’ve visited and talked to your gynecologist, you can try changing your lifestyle to help you deal with the pain. The key is communication, as always in a relationship. Be sure to communicate what makes you feel good, what makes you uncomfortable, what causes pain, and what helps you relax. It may be a challenge to open up, but you will find that your relationship and sex life will benefit greatly.
When it comes to the sexual act, there are a few things you need to make sure you do:
- Go slow. The sex game your best friend. More foreplay equals more lubrication, a more relaxed atmosphere, and a higher sex drive. This way you will be completely aroused before penetration.
- Sometimes all that is not enough, and that’s okay. You can always use lubricants to make sex more enjoyable and comfortable. There’s a lot to choose from, so have fun trying different brands until you find one that works best for you.
- Keep in mind that different sexual positions can feel more or less painful. Find one that is best for you (some women prefer to be on top because that way they can control the depth of penetration). It’s a great excuse to try something new and exciting that you haven’t dared to try before.
If nothing seems to be working and there’s no underlying problem, maybe it’s time to find other ways to be intimate. Sex is not just penetration; it can take many forms. You can try to let your imagination run wild, from sensual massages to hot and steamy touches; there are no limits here.
With information from INTIMINA.
Related: