Dyspareunia Specialist

What is dyspareunia?

Dyspareunia is the medical term for painful intercourse, a condition that’s actually much more common - and generally much easier to treat - than most women know. In fact, some studies suggest many women suffer from dyspareunia in silence. That’s a shame because there are plenty of treatments to relieve symptoms and help women enjoy intimate, physical connections with their partners. Some women with dyspareunia may have pain when using tampons and most women who have pain during intercourse continue to experience symptoms for some time afterward.

What causes dyspareunia?

Dyspareunia can be caused by many issues, and determining the underlying cause is the key to ensuring the most effective and most appropriate treatment is provided. Some of the most common causes include:

• hormone fluctuations, including those associated with menopause
• infection
• irritation or inflammation, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• pelvic organ prolapse, a condition that occurs when another organ “drops” into the vaginal space
• vaginal muscle spasms (called vaginismus)
• anatomical issues, including a condition called “shallow vagina”
• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• some types of surgery
• some medical treatments, including chemotherapy
• skin problems affecting the tissues surrounding the vagina
• very large cysts or fibroids
• psychological issues including chronic stress, anxiety or relationship problems

Advanced Endometriosis Center offers an array of testing and evaluation options to identify the underlying cause so treatment can be focused on each patient’s unique needs.

How is dyspareunia treated?

Treatment for painful intercourse depends on what’s causing the symptoms to occur. Treatment options can include:

• lubricants to replace vaginal moisture lost due to aging, disease, medical treatment or injury
• hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replenish estrogen lost due to menopause or other issues
• laser treatments to promote collagen development and restore normal vaginal function

At Advanced Endometriosis Center, each patient’s treatment is carefully developed based on an in-depth evaluation of the causes of painful intercourse, which may include a pelvic exam, blood tests, ultrasounds, and other testing.