Painful intercourse can occur for a variety of reasons — ranging from structural problems to psychological concerns. Many women experience painful intercourse at some point in their lives.
Pain during penetration may be associated with a range of factors, including:
- Insufficient lubrication. This is often the result of not enough foreplay. Insufficient lubrication is also commonly caused by a drop in estrogen levels after menopause, after childbirth or during breast-feeding. Also, some medications are known to hinder desire or arousal, which can decrease lubrication and make sex painful. These include antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, sedatives, antihistamines and certain birth control pills.
- Injury, trauma or irritation. This includes injury or irritation from an accident, pelvic surgery, female circumcision, episiotomy or a congenital abnormality.
- Inflammation, infection or skin disorder. An infection in your genital area or urinary tract can cause painful intercourse. Eczema or other skin problems in your genital area also can be the problem.
- Issues with Vaginal Mucosa. Atrophy of the vaginal mucosa is thinning of the skin lining the vagina. It’s one of the changes that comes with decreased estrogen levels.
- Vaginismus. Involuntary spasms of the muscles of the vaginal wall (vaginismus) can make attempts at penetration very painful.
Treatment Options for Painful Intercourse
Treatment options will vary for each patient, depending on the underlying cause of the pain. Options typically include medications, therapy, and sometimes surgical procedures in the event a repair is necessary.
Medication to Treat Conditions causing Painful Intercourse
If it is determined that an infection or medical condition is contributing to your pain, treating the underlying cause may resolve your problem. A change in medications known to cause lubrication problems also may eliminate your symptoms.
For most postmenopausal women, dyspareunia or vaginal pain is caused by insufficient lubrication resulting from low estrogen levels. Often, this can be treated with a prescription cream, tablet or flexible ring that releases very small amounts of estrogen directly to your vagina.
Therapy to Reduce Painful Intercourse
Different types of therapy also may be helpful to reduce Painful Intercourse, including:
- Desensitization therapy. During this therapy, you learn vaginal relaxation exercises that can decrease pain, including pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises).
- Counseling or sex therapy. If sex has been painful for a long time, you may have a negative emotional response tied to sexual stimulation. This can continue, even after treatment. If you have avoided intimacy because of painful intercourse, you may also need help improving communication with your partner to restore sexual intimacy. Talking to a counselor or sex therapist can help resolve these issues.
You and your partner may also be able to minimize pain
Sometimes with just a few changes to your regular routine, you and your partner can work together to help alleviate painful intercourse.
- Switch positions. If you experience sharp pain during thrusting, the penis may be striking your cervix or stressing the pelvic floor muscles. Changing positions may help. You can try being on top of your partner during sex. Women usually have more control in this position, so you may be able to regulate penetration to a depth that is less painful.
- Communicate. Talk about what feels good and what doesn’t.
- Don’t rush. Longer foreplay can help stimulate your natural lubrication. And you may reduce pain by delaying penetration until you feel fully aroused.
- Use lubricants. A personal lubricant can make sex more comfortable. Read labels carefully or ask your doctor to recommend a product to try; some personal lubricants that contain glycerin can cause yeast infections.
Surgical options for Reducing Pain during Intercourse
In some instances, women may find that neither medication nor combined therapies are enough to help reduce the pain experienced during intercourse. Often in these circumstances it is discovered that one should undergo Vaginal Reconstruction to improve structure and weakness within the vaginal entrance or canal. This procedure is called Vaginaplasty.
Vaginal Labial Plasty® Surgery, serves many functions: it can improve the appearance of the vaginal introitus, relieve discomfort, aid in proper hygiene, increase sexual satisfaction, and boost self-confidence.
The Cosmetic Gynecology Suite is the only surgical unit of its kind in the world. Here Vaginoplasty, Labiaplasty, hymen reconstruction or modification and total functional vaginal and pelvic reconstruction can be done in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures.
You don’t have to suffer from painful intercourse. There are a number of procedures that can be done on the vagina depending on what the patients problems are. Contact our Vagina and Labia Plastic Surgery Specialists to provide you with the knowledge and medical expertise you need to make the correct decisions.
To schedule a consultation call The Cosmetic Gynecology Suite at 212-772-1300.
