Dyspareunia: Pain during sex and what you can do about it

Dyspareunia, i.e. pain during sex, makes sexual intercourse a torture for many women. The reasons for this can be both physical and psychological.

Besides orgasmic dysfunction, dyspareunia is the most common sexual problem in women. The pain can be divided into internal and external.

How is dyspareunia manifested? The signs and symptoms

Pain during sex can express itself in very different ways. Some women feel cramping, pulling or itching, while others feel stinging, burning or a dull ache. The symptoms can occur both at the vaginal exit and inside the body and also persist beyond sexual intercourse.

Causes of Dyspareunia

When sex hurts, there can be a variety of things to blame. Psychological complaints such as too much stress or problems in the partnership can lead to cramps and pain, as can a vagina that is too dry. Vaginal dryness can have psychological causes, but it can also be physical, for example due to the hormonal changes during menopause. Even just before the period or while breastfeeding, there can be frequent discomfort in the genital area and make sexual intercourse painful. In order to be able to treat dyspareunia, it must first be determined whether the symptoms are due to physical or psychological problems. Whether therapeutic treatment is necessary for psychological causes can be discussed with a therapist. In the case of physical causes, various creams or medications can be used. The administration of hormones can also be a possible treatment approach.