What is painful intercourse?
Painful intercourse, or dyspareunia, means you experience discomfort right before, during, or after sexual intercourse. It’s a common condition that affects millions of women.
For many women, painful intercourse not only causes physical discomfort, but may also affect intimate relationships, self-esteem, and self-confidence.
The women’s health experts at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida use advanced tools to find the root cause of your pain. Then, they implement innovative tools and therapies to alleviate your pain and restore your sexual health and wellness.
What causes painful intercourse?
Painful intercourse may develop from a physical or psychological cause. Some of the gynecological conditions that cause painful intercourse in women include:
Hormonal changes are a common cause of painful intercourse for women. You may experience changes in hormone levels after childbirth or during menopause. A decrease in estrogen production affects vaginal health and lubrication.
Psychological causes of painful intercourse for women include:
- Stress
- History of physical or sexual abuse
- Relationship problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
Your prescription medications may also affect vaginal lubrication and increase pain during intercourse. This includes antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medication.
What can I expect during a painful intercourse consultation?
When you visit Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida for a painful intercourse consultation, you can expect a compassionate evaluation.
During the exam, your doctor conducts an in-depth history and physical, including a pelvic exam. They also run diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out a suspected cause of your painful intercourse, which may include:
- Check of hormone levels
- Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Ultrasound testing to evaluate reproductive organs
- Comprehensive blood work to assess overall health and wellness
Your doctor uses the information gathered during your consultation and testing to diagnose the cause of your painful intercourse.
How is painful intercourse treated?
The team at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida develops individualized treatment plans for painful intercourse based on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Disease-specific medication (e.g., antibiotic to treat PID)
- Change in prescription medication to alleviate vaginal dryness
- Hormone therapy
- Minimally invasive surgery (e.g., treatment for fibroids, ovarian cysts)
For vaginal dryness and atrophy caused by hormonal changes, the team at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida offers the innovative MonaLisa Touch®. The advanced laser tool revitalizes vaginal tissue by increasing blood circulation to the area and stimulating the production of collagen.
For compassionate care for painful intercourse, call Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, or book an appointment online today.
