If you’re in the middle of an intimate moment with your partner and pain suddenly kills the mood, you’re not alone.
In fact, about 3 out of 4 women admit to experiencing painful sex at some point in their lives. For some, it’s a temporary problem that goes away in time. For others, it’s a more serious and long-term problem that needs to be addressed.
What Causes Painful Sex?
Here are some common issues that can make sexual intercourse painful for women:
• Too dry – This is by far the most common reason women experience pain during sex. Some women don’t produce as much natural lubricant or are not aroused or relaxed enough for that lubricant to start flowing. Menopause also causes the amount of lubricant in your vaginal area to decrease.
• Vaginal infections – These are also fairly common and include things like yeast infections and genital herpes. Some women don’t realize they have an infection, so if you’re experiencing pain during sex – but there is no obvious cause – have your doctor check for a possible infection.
• Vaginismus – The name may sound scary, but this condition is actually fairly common and is simply a muscle spasm in your vaginal muscles.
• Stress – Relaxation is key to having enjoyable sex. If you’re stressed, uptight or worried about something, it can have an impact on your comfort level.
• Childbirth – After you have a baby, it’s important to give your body time to heal. However, it can often still be painful to have sex for the first time after giving birth. This is very common and just requires extra care and patience before having sex.
How Can Painful Sex Be Treated?
Depending on the cause, there are several different ways to treat painful sex in women. If it’s an issue of too little lubricant, the solution may be as easy as keeping some water-based lubricant on hand. If stress is an issue, try to find ways to relax each other before having sex. Give each other a massage or take a warm bath, for example.
If you’re having more serious pain, talk to your women’s health physician about possible infections or problems with reproductive tissues. These issues should not be ignored or left untreated.
Sex should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your partner, so schedule an appointment with your All About Women Gainesville gynecologist if you have questions or concerns with painful intercourse. We’re here to help you find an answer for all of your women’s health issues.
