Definition:
For both men and women, pain can occur in the pelvic area during or soon after sexual intercourse. It can happen at any time during sex -- for example, at the time of penetration, erection, or ejaculation -- or after sexual activity. Eventually, ongoing pain may cause a person to lose interest in any sexual activity. The medical term for this is dyspareunia.
Alternative Names:
Painful sexual intercourse; Dyspareunia
Considerations:
Common Causes:
- A diaphragm that does not fit properly
- Endometriosis
- Genital irritation from soaps, detergents, douches, or feminine hygiene products
- Hemorrhoids
- Herpes sores, genital warts, or other sexually transmitted diseases
- Intercourse too soon after surgery or childbirth
- Menopause
- Ovarian cysts
- Prostatitis -- inflammation of the prostate
- Reaction to the latex of a diaphragm or condom
- Sexual abuse or rape
- Urinary tract infections
- Use of certain medications
- Vaginal dryness or too little lubrication (for example, from not enough foreplay)
- Vaginal infection
- Vaginismus
References:
National Institutes of Health. National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference statement: management of menopause-related symptoms. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142(12 Pt 1):1003-1013. Klein MC, Kaczorowski J, Firoz T, Hubinette M, Jorgensen S, Gauthier R. A comparison of urinary and sexual outcomes in women experiencing vaginal and Caesarean births. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2005; 27(4): 332-339. Mahutte NG. Medical management of endometriosis-associated pain. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2003; 30(1): 133-150. Eyler AE; Biggs WS. Medical human sexuality in family medicine practice. In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:chap 55. Lentz GM. Emotional aspects of gynecology: sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, grief, loss. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 9.
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