Painful sex: Symptoms & Management

Painful sex aka Dyspareunia, is the constantly or recurrently occurring pain in vagina or pelvis, that can happen before, during or after having sex. Tests like physical examination such as pelvic exam, rectal exam and pap test, ultrasound of representative system of the female and Laparoscopy are used to diagnose this.

Symptoms of painful sex include:-

• Burning ache.
• Severe pain at the time of thrusting.
• Throbbing pain that lasts after hours of sex.
• Pain during every penetration.

Various types of dyspareunia are:-

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• Entry pain:- It is also known as Intraorbital or superficial dyspareunia. This pain is felt during initial penetration at the entrance to vagina. Lack of lubrication, infection or injury are the main causes for this.
• Deep pain:- It is also referred to as collision dyspareunia. This pain can be felt at the cervix at the time of penetration. A prior surgery or medical condition is the main cause of pain here.
• Primary pain:- It is the one which a person has from the time of becoming sexually active.
• Secondary pain:- This pain is experienced after having pain free or normal sex.
• Situational pain:- It is when the pain usually occurs at certain situations and time.

Painful sex can be caused due to:-

• Inflammation, infection or skin disorder in the genital area.
• Vaginismus which causes painful penetration.
• Problem present at the time of birth.
• Trauma, irritation or vaginal injury of any type.
• Lack of enough lubrication.
• Prior surgeries or medical treatment which cause severe pain.
• Certain type of health condition or illness issue.
• Stress or psychological problems.
• Sexual abuse history.
• Deformities in penis.
• Painful erections like priapism.

Management of painful sex:-

• Consult to a doctor for medication. Explore Gytree’s expert curated “Having difficulty in penetrative sex?” Package to know more.
• Go for medical tests.
• Use a water or silicone based lubricant for vaginal dryness
• Try only painless sexual positions.
• Relax and destress before sex.
• Apply ice packs at vulva after having sex.
• Take a counter pain reliever before sex on doctors advice
• Approach the doctor in case of emergency.
• Have safe and protected sex.

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