Discomfort and Pain During Sexual Relations

Discomfort and Pain During Sexual Relations

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QUESTION: I know it's not normal, but I don't know where to turn for help. I
experience a great deal of discomfort and pain during sexual relations. I am
a young woman, and realize that this shouldn't be happening. Why is it?
Help!
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ANSWER: You may be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about this condition,
but keeping quiet about it and hoping it will go away is not going to work.
Pain during intercourse, or dyspareunia, is uncomfortable to talk about, but
worse to suffer through in silence.
There are several possible physical and psychological causes and both may
have a hand in causing the pain. Describe the pain or discomfort to your
physician. Tell him or her how long you've had the pain, what it feels like,
and when and where it occurs. Also note whether the discomfort is only at the
opening of the vagina or deeper in.
In older women, pain during intercourse may be due to the drying of the
vagina that occurs after menopause. However, some younger women have a
chronic lack of lubrication even when they are sexually aroused. This can be
treated easily by using a lubricant. Vaginitis can also cause pain during
intercourse, since the walls of the vagina may be inflamed and irritated.
Pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and tipped uterus can all cause
discomfort during deep penetration.
Pain during intercourse may also be caused by a severe involuntary muscle
spasm known as vaginismus. This spasm may be caused by a psychological fear
of sex, perhaps due to sexual trauma or because a physical problem has made
sex painful. Behavioral and psychological therapy can help with this problem.
Without doubt, it is not something that a young woman must or should try to
live with. Please don't take this brief amount of information as the last
word, but gather up your resolve and courage, make a few notes on paper to
help, and get to see your family physician right now.