Dyspareunia is pain experienced during sexual intercourse, caused by medical conditions or psychological problems. Vaginal irritation, dryness, infections, and medication can cause it. Treatment includes avoiding irritants, medication, and sex therapy.
Dyspareunia refers to the pain experienced by women during sexual intercourse, although men can also experience it due to some medical conditions. Pain can occur before, during the act of intercourse, or even after sex. Certain medical conditions and psychological problems can lead to the development of dyspareunia in many women, which often results in an avoidance of sexual intercourse or a loss of interest in sexual activities.
Common causes of dyspareunia include vaginal irritation from soaps, foams, douches, diaphragms, or condoms. Vaginal dryness due to menopause or insufficient lubrication can also lead to a painful sexual experience. Infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, herpes and genital warts can often lead to dyspareunia. The presence of hemorrhoids, ovarian cysts and endometriosis are other medical conditions associated with painful sexual intercourse.
Some medications can inhibit desire or decrease arousal in some women. These include antihypertensive drugs, antidepressant drugs and birth control pills. Other women suffer from vaginismus, which is an involuntary spasm of the muscles in the wall of the vagina. This can often lead to painful intercourse, making penetration very difficult if not impossible.
One of the psychological causes of dyspareunia is previous trauma during sex, as is the case with sexually abused women or rape victims. The act of intercourse can trigger bad memories, causing women to lose interest in the process. Stress can sometimes cause women pain during sex, as well as other psychological problems such as depression, marital or relationship problems, low self-esteem, and anxiety. Women who have been brought up with the belief that sex is bad are often prone to experience dyspareunia due to feelings of guilt around sex.
Most causes of dyspareunia are reversible. Women are generally encouraged to see a doctor when they experience pain during sex to identify the cause. Often, physical problems can be managed by avoiding products that cause irritation and treating any infections with medications. Medical problems, such as the presence of endometriosis and hemorrhoids, can also be managed by specialists.
Women with psychological problems often undergo sex therapy. Other treatments for dyspareunia include counseling both members of a couple to improve their communication and help improve their relationship. Experts also recommend using lubricants and increasing the time of foreplay to stimulate arousal in women.
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