What is painful intercourse?
Pain during intercourse is common in women and can occur before, during, or after sex. While you can experience pain during intercourse at any age, most women experience the discomfort, medically referred to as dyspareunia, after menopause.
The reason you’re experiencing the pain may be due to a variety of factors, including:
- Changes in hormone levels
- Damage to nerve endings
- Anxiety or stress
- Certain medications
A decrease in estrogen levels during menopause causes the walls of your vagina to thin and decreases lubrication, making them more susceptible to dryness, irritation, and pain.
How is painful intercourse treated?
Dr. Pam offers a number of treatment options to help improve your discomfort and bring back the joy in your life.
Treatment options include:
- Hormone therapy
- Vaginal estrogen cream such as Estrace®
- Over-the-counter lubricants
- Vaginal ring with Estring®
- MonaLisa Touch®
- Medical sex therapy
MonaLisa Touch is a laser treatment system that improves vaginal health by stimulating the production of collagen, a protein that makes your vaginal skin strong, flexible, and lubricated, to reduce your discomfort.
Do I need medical sex therapy?
Dr. Pam understands how mental and emotional health play an important role in sexual well-being, and offers medical sex therapy to her patients. Dr. Pam educates you about the physiological changes that are happening to your body and how they may affect your intimate relationship. She works to improve the communication between you and your partner to bring back the intimacy and romance.
Are there things I can do at home to reduce discomfort?
In addition to the treatments Dr. Pam recommends, you can also take steps to reduce your discomfort at home, including:
- Using skin sensitive soaps and lotions to reduce irritation
- Avoiding bubble baths, scented douches, and perfumed panty liners
- Wearing cotton underwear
- Cleaning your genital area after urinating with cool water
You may also be able to reduce the pain and improve vaginal and pelvic health with pelvic floor exercises. These types of exercises, which are done with a physical therapist, can reduce tightness and improve muscle function.
You don’t have to simply deal with pain during intercourse. Dr. Pam offers a number of solutions. Call today or book an appointment online.
