Pain during intercourse, medically known as Dyspareunia can wreck havoc on the intimate life of a couple. Although it can occur in both the genders, females are more commonly affected.
The painful sensation can occur during or after the sex. It can be dull or sharp in nature. Most common site is the point of insertion i.e the vaginal opening. Sometimes it may be felt deep in the pelvic area.
What are the causes of pain during intercourse?
A number of conditions can cause dyspareunia. It is important to identify the underlying cause in order to effectively manage this problem. The common causes are:-
- Vaginal dryness:- During foreplay and sex, glands in the vagina release secretions that lubricate the genital area .After menopause and childbirth or as a side effect of some medications like antidepressants ,there is thinning of the vaginal mucosal layer (vaginal atrophy) which leads to decreased lubrication and pain during intercourse.
- Active infections:- Infections and inflammation of the reproductive tract like yeast infection, sexually transmitted infections ,urinary tract infections ,pelvic inflammatory disease can be the underlying cause of dyspareunia.
- Skin disorders:- Certain skin conditions like eczema, lichen sclerosis et atrophicans etc can cause painful intercourse. Consult your dermatologist immediately to get treatment for any skin problem in the genital area
- Trauma:- Any trauma to the pelvic area e.g during delivery or pelvic surgery can lead to scar tissue formation which may cause pain during sex.
- Vaginismus:- Sometimes involuntary spasm of the vaginal muscles on penetration ,also known as vaginismus, can make penetration painful for the female
- Psychological causes:- Stress and anxiety are known to decrease the desire for sex and affect sexual arousal .Being tense during coitus can make it painful and unpleasurable.
- Abnormalities of the reproductive tract:- Any structural abnormality in the reproductive system e.g fibroid ,cyst , prolapse etc or unnatural tilt of the uterus can lead to discomfort during intercourse
How is the condition diagnosed?
A detailed history about the onset of the pain, the site of localisation, symptoms like vaginal discharge ,vaginal itching, history of childbirth or any pelvic surgery is sought. This is followed by a thorough clinical examination of the external genitalia to look for any signs of infection or inflammation. In case of infection, a genital swab may be taken for further testing. After this, a gentle per vaginal examination is done using a speculum to look for any internal problems. The doctor may prescribe an ultrasound or CT scan to rule out any pelvic cause.
What are the treatment options available for dyspareunia?
A wide range of options are available depending on the underlying condition.
How is the procedure done?
O shot treatment is an OPD procedure in which blood, drawn from the patient’ s arm is transferred to special vials and centrifuged. After centrifugation, platelet rich plasma(PRP) is extracted. Meanwhile the clitoris and the upper area of the vagina are numbed using a numbing cream. With the help of a very fine needle, PRP is then injected into the erogenous zones of the vagina. There is no downtime and routine activities eg gymming, sex, driving etc can be resumed on the same day.
In case of vaginal dryness, lubricant gels can be used to keep the area moist. Some post menopausal females are prescribed oral hormone replacement therapy or topical estrogen creams to treat vaginal atrophy but they have their own side effects. Procedures like CO2 laser (MonaLisa Touch ) and BTL Exilis Ultrafemme 360 rejuvenate the vaginal mucosa and improve lubrication and overall sexual functioning. To know more about these procedures, you can call us at 9257221456.In some cases of dyspareunia, antianxiety medications may be prescribed to help alleviate the pain. For Sexually transmitted infections and skin conditions of the genitalia, you can consult our team of experienced dermatologists at Dr Walia’s Skin and Laser Clinic HM127 phase 3b1 Mohali.
