Dealing with Painful Intercourse
In a perfect world sexual intercourse would feel good and connecting. Many people would like sex to be something that enhances our life, relationship and makes us feel closer to our partner. We are sexual beings from birth to death but for some women, intercourse is painful physically or mentally and is therefore something they end up wanting to avoid.
Symptoms of Painful Intercourse
- Pain with penetration. This can even include the insertion of a tampon.
- Pain as a result of a thrusting motion.
- A burning or aching sensation.
- Throbbing pain that can last up to hours after sex.
Painful intercourse happens for a variety of physical and emotional reasons.
Physical Reasons for Painful Intercourse
Pain during penetration is often a result of a woman not being ready for intercourse and then a lack of lubrication. This can happen when there is a limited amount of foreplay or the woman has experienced a decrease in her estrogen levels as a result of menopause or right after giving birth.
Painful intercourse can also be a result of an injury or trauma of some sort caused by an accident, scarring from pelvic surgery or episiotomy. Infections and inflammation may also cause pain during sex as can eczema and other skin issues in the genital area.
And finally, certain physical conditions can also cause painful intercourse. These can include:
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Uterine prolapse
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Medical treatments for cancer such as radiation and chemotherapy have also been known to cause women pain during sexual intercourse.
If you believe your painful intercourse stems from a physical condition, it’s important to speak with your doctor to find the right course of treatment.
Emotional Factors That Can Lead to Painful Intercourse
For women, emotions can be directly linked to sexual activity. If a woman experiences a lack of emotional connection to her partner it can definitely lower her desire to be sexually intimate. Emotional factors that can lead to painful intercourse include stress (at work or home), anxiety, depression, or worrying about how you look, relationship problems or a history of sexual abuse.
When painful intercourse is a result of emotional or psychological issues, it is recommended that the woman seek treatment from a sex therapist. As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, I can help you uncover where the issue is coming from and offer tools and skills to alleviate the negative emotions or residual trauma so that sexual intimacy can be enjoyable once again.
If you are interested in finding out more please email me at: [email protected]
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