Painful Sex - 14 Reasons Behind It!

Dyspareunia or painful intercourse can bring problems in the lives of a couple. Not only it affects their physical relationship but also causes an emotional stress as well. Women may experience pain during intercourse with their partner for several reasons. 

Causes of a painful intercourse 

A few common reasons that might induce a pain during intercourse are: 

1. Insufficient vaginal lubrication: If the vagina is not moistened with a liquid secreting from the vagina, intercourse can be painful. Lesser lubrication can be resolved with an increase in foreplay or relaxing on the woman’s part. Lubricating creams can also be used in such cases. 
2. Vaginal tightness: If the vaginal entrance is tight, then the woman can feel pain during the intercourse. This happens in case of rigid hymen or hymen which is abnormal. 
3. Vaginal infections: Yeast infection or trichomoniasis can induce pain. If an individual has herpes sore on the outside portion of the genitals, intercourse can be painful. 
4. Vaginismus: This is a common cause that happens mostly due to the fear that women feel about getting hurt during sex. It is an involuntary reaction in the muscles surrounding the vagina. Even a thought of sex can cause severe spasm. This prevents vaginal penetration and at times rough sex, which causes more pain and swelling. 
5. Uterus problems: Fibroids can cause pain during a deep intercourse. 
6. Cervical problems: Deep penetration can reach the cervix, in that case, pain is inevitable. It is common in women who’s cervix is long or one who’s uterus has come down from normal position ( prolapsed ) 
7. Menopause: When a woman reaches her age of menopause, the vagina loses its natural lubrication, hence, coital dryness is experienced which may cause vaginal tears and injury. 
8. Ovarian problems: The ovary can have cysts due to several reasons like infections, pregnancy, chocolate cysts of endometriosis etc. Having a cyst would induce pain during intercourse. 
9. Endometriosis: Women’s uterus is lined with a tissue named endometrium. If for some reason the endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, like in pelvis, ovaries etc, pain can be felt at sex. 
10. Pelvic inflammatory disease: With this disease, the tissues which are situated deep inside the vagina can be infected and inflamed. This causes friction during the intercourse resulting in pain.
11. Sexually transmitted diseases: It is another cause for experiencing pain during the intercourse. 
12. Ectopic pregnancy: It is that type of pregnancy where the fertilised egg grows outside the uterus. In such a condition, intercourse may be painful. 
13. Injured vulva: Vulva or vagina can be injured if the female develops a tear during childbirth. In normal delivery, a cut is deliberately given in the portion between the anus and the vagina (episiotomy) which may cause pain at sex. 
14. Vulvodynia: When a woman’s vulva, that is the sexual organs like labia, clitoris, and the opening of the vagina experiences chronic pain then intercourse becomes painful. 

Other causes might be irregular bleeding, intercourse soon after a pelvic, vaginal surgery or childbirth or genital lesions. In such cases, an individual must consult a doctor immediately. 

Treatments for Painful Intercourse 
The treatment for pain during intercourse depends on the cause. If the cause is an intercourse soon after pregnancy, then it can be avoided by waiting for six weeks after giving birth before indulging in intercourse. If the issue is of dryness or insufficient lubrication, the lubricants which are water-based can be applied in the area. Sometimes menopause can cause pain, in that case, it is advisable to consult a doctor about oestrogen creams or any other prescribed medicine. Other causes may require medication prescribed by a gynaecologist. https://www.lybrate.com/kalyani/doctor/dr-parag-patil-gynaecologist-1Consult an expert & get answers to your questions!