What causes dyspareunia?

What causes dyspareunia?

In many cases, you can experience pain during sex if there is not sufficient vaginal lubrication. In these cases, the pain can be resolved if you become more relaxed, increase foreplay or if you use a sexual lubricant.

In some cases, you have painful intercourse if one of the following conditions is present:

• Vaginal atrophy: The vaginal lining can lose its normal moisture and thickness and become dry, thin and inflamed. This can be caused by medication, menopause or other hormonal changes.
• Vaginismus: The fear of being hurt or prior trauma causes a spasm of the vaginal muscles.
• Vaginal infections: These conditions are common and include yeast infections.
• Problems with the cervix (opening to the uterus): The penis can reach the cervix at maximum penetration. Therefore, problems with the cervix (such as infections) can cause pain during deep penetration.
• Problems with the uterus: These may include fibroids that can cause deep intercourse pain.
• Endometriosis: A condition in which the endometrium (tissue lining the uterus) grows outside the uterus.
• Problems with the ovaries: Such problems might include ovarian cysts.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease: The tissues deep inside become badly inflamed, and the pressure of intercourse causes deep pain.
• Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy in which a fertilized egg develops outside of the uterus.
• Intercourse too soon after surgery or childbirth.
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): These may include genital warts, herpes sores or other STIs.
• Vulvodynia: Causes chronic pain in the vulvar area.
• Injury to the vulva or vagina: These injuries may include a tear from childbirth or from a cut (episiotomy) in the perineum (area of skin between the vagina and the anus) that is made during labor.
• Skin disorders affecting the genitalia.
• Psychological issues: Anxiety, depression and low self-esteem can prevent sexual arousal. If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, it can also contribute to your pain during sex.

Like women, men can also feel pain if there is not enough vaginal lubrication during sex. This can be solved by using a sexual lubricant. In men, painful sex can be caused by certain penile disorders:

• Foreskin damage: Damage to the foreskin (skin that covers the head of the penis) caused by rubbing or tearing can lead to pain.
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Yeast infections or infections under the foreskin, as well as common STIs like genital herpes or gonorrhea, can make sex painful.
• Penis deformities: Peyronie’s disease or other deformities of the penis can cause painful intercourse.
• Painful erections: A condition such as priapism can lead to persistent, painful erections.