Painful Sex

A large number of women are said to suffer from painful sex at some time or the other in their lives. In majority this remains unspoken and the women takes it that it may be a normal phenomenon or some think that they are alone with this problem. This condition is known as Dysparennia. Some amount of pain during sex is common and goes off after sometime.

Common causes of Pain during sex:

Vaginal Dryness
Vaginismus
Vaginitis
Lichen Sclerosis
Vulvadynia
Vestibulitis
Cystitis
Menopausal Thining
Endometriosis
Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases
Radiation Scarring

Vaginal Dryness – is one of the most common causes of pain during sex especially in young brides because of ignorance, insufficient arousal, inadequate foreplay, fear of pregnancy, stress or hormonal imbalance.

Vaginismus – is a phenomenon in which the muscles at the vaginal opening constrict into tight spasm as soon as intercourse is attempted. This is a protective response against penetration and can happen specially with brides because of extreme fear, inhibition, improper sex education, childhood trauma, witnessing an unpleasant sexual activity. This results in a vicious circle of pain and fear.

Vaginitis – is any type of vaginal infection or may be due to some allergic reaction or chemical irritation. The commonest is Thrush – a fungal infection resulting to foul smelling discharge.

Lichen Sclerosis – is an auto immune condition in which immune cells attack the skin. It can affect any part of body, vulva is a common target. It usually develops after 40.

Vulvadynia – In this condition there are nerve abnormalities around the vulva. It causes constant itching, burning pain around the vulva and vagina which worsens when touched even with water.

Vestibulitis – In this condition too there is burning around vulva with redness and soreness. Tends to affect between 20s-30s.

Cystitis – Most of the women experience this especially on the first initiation into sex. that is why it is also referred to honeymoon cystitis. It may also occur when sex is resumed after prolonged inactivity. It causes burning sensation while urination, frequent cloudy or bloody urine.

Menopausal Thinning – This occurs with menopause when ovaries produce less estrogen resulting to vaginal lining thinning out and shrinking of the vagina.

Endometriosis – In this condition the tissue that lines the uterus gets developed in other areas like fallopian tubes, ovaries abdominal wall or ligaments supporting the uterus. Women in 20s and 30s are most prone to this condition. It causes sharp pain deep in lower abdomen during intercourse. This condition may go after menopause or with hormonal therapy.

Pelvic Inflammation Disease – It can cause following frequent chlamydia infection or infection following childbirth or due to IUD.

Radiation scarring – due to radiation for cervical cancer or endometrial cancer can result in decrease in the length and circumference of the vagina because of adhesions and fibrosis.