Are you experiencing pain during intercourse?

The medical term for painful intercourse is dyspareunia. There are many causes of pain during intercourse and it can affect men and women. However, it is much more common in women. An estimated 10-20% of women in the United States experience dyspareunia at some point in their lives. The pain can be caused by:

• irritation of the external genitalia (vulvodynia or vestibulodynia), ( https://www.nva.org/ )

• pelvic floor muscle guarding or spasm (vaginismus or levator ani syndrome),

• visceral disorders (interstitial cystitis, endometriosis),

• scar/surgical adhesions (any pelvic surgery),

• pelvic congestion,

• fibroids,

• vulvar/vaginal infections,

• hormonal deficiencies,

• inadequate lubrication,

• rough sex,

• trauma, or

• negative feelings towards a partner.

If you are experiencing pain during intercourse, schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN, urogynecologist, or urologist and schedule an appointment with a pelvic floor physical therapist. Oftentimes, pelvic floor physical therapy can help reduce or eliminate your pain in conjunction with medication and/or counseling.