Sex is meant to be a source of connection and pleasure, not discomfort and anxiety. Yet many women who experience pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) dismiss their symptoms as a normal part of getting older, or they struggle to discuss them openly.
Board-certified gynecologist Cynthia McNally, MD, and the team at Evergreen Women’s Health in Vancouver, Washington, can help you reclaim a healthy, pain-free sex life at any age. We specialize in sexual health and diagnosing and treating the vulvar conditions that cause intimate discomfort.
It’s a common issue — up to 75% of women deal with dyspareunia symptoms — but painful sex doesn’t have to be a regular part of your life. Here, we explore what might be causing your discomfort and the treatment options available to help you feel like yourself again.
Intimate discomfort can affect women of all ages, and the way it presents can vary widely from one person to the next.
Some women experience a sharp sensation at the vaginal opening, while others notice a deeper ache during intercourse. The pain may be present every time you have sex or only occasionally or during certain positions.
If you’re dealing with this type of discomfort, it could be due to one or a combination of the following factors:
Estrogen is essential for maintaining the health, elasticity, and natural lubrication of the vaginal tissues. When estrogen levels drop, these tissues become thinner, drier, and more easily irritated — a condition known as vaginal atrophy.
While often associated with menopause, low estrogen can occur during breastfeeding, after certain cancer treatments, or as a side effect of some birth control pills. Chronic skin conditions, such as lichen sclerosus, may also cause discomfort due to thinning and dryness in the genital area.
The pelvic floor is the group of muscles that support your pelvic organs. When these muscles are too tight or can’t relax properly — typically due to previous pelvic trauma, like labor or surgery — penetration may become difficult or painful.
Sometimes, painful intercourse is a symptom of a deeper issue in the pelvic area. Endometriosis is a leading cause of discomfort that occurs when tissue similar to your uterine lining grows outside of the uterus, causing inflammation and the formation of painful scar tissue.
Other conditions, like yeast infections, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), can result in swelling and internal tenderness, making sex uncomfortable. Even underlying bladder or bowel problems can contribute to intimate pain.
Getting back to comfortable intimacy begins with a professional evaluation to identify the root cause of your pain. Once we pinpoint the problem, our providers can create a care plan that works to manage your discomfort. This may include:
You don’t have to live with intimate discomfort or manage it on your own. Whether your pain is a new development or a chronic issue, Dr. McNally and our team are here to help you find a treatment plan that works for your body and your lifestyle.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment at Evergreen Women’s Health and take the first step toward a more comfortable, satisfying sex life.
