What causes Dyspareunia and can it be treated?
Dyspareunia is essentially a “basket” diagnosis as it does not describe specifically what is wrong. If the physician wants to note that you have pain but as yet has not determined what is causing the pain, she may diagnose you with dyspareunia. The first step in treating dyspareunia is isolating the problem, which can sometimes take a few visits and some trial and error. Finding a practitioner with broad expertise and the patience to really listen to you is key in identifying the cause(s) and eventually treating the underlying problem.
Symptoms of dyspareunia can include: pain upon penetration, sudden pain after intercourse, deep pain during thrusting, and burning pain anywhere in the pelvis.
How is Dyspareunia Diagnosed
Dyspareunia is diagnosed through a careful history and physical exam. Once a physician has diagnosed dyspareunia, they will get started trying to identify the underlying cause. Doing so may involve further exams, working with dilators, imaging (ultrasounds or MRIs), biopsies or other tests. Sometimes treatment may be started on a trial basis. If the treatment works it may give the physician more information about the underlying cause.
What Causes Dyspareunia?
Pain during sex is often associated with a wide range of physical and/or emotional factors.
- Inadequate lubrication
- Injury or trauma
- Infections
- Vulvar Dermatoses
- Reactions to birth control products
- Tight muscles
- Vestibulodynia
- Anatomical issues
- Surgery
Sometimes dyspareunia can be caused by other underlying medical problems: i.e. endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts.
Emotional issues can be a factor as well. Often when women have experienced pain in the past, they can unintentionally tighten muscles, which just contribute to the pain/fear cycle. If there is tension in the relationship and a woman does not want to be having sex she might not lubricate or she might tighten her vagina. This can be the case as well if a woman has suffered sexual abuse. However, there are many women who have experienced sexual abuse who go on to have full and satisfying sex lives and there are many women who have sexual problems who do not have a history of sexual abuse. Therefore it is a serious mistake to assume that anyone with sexual problems must have been sexually abused.
Can Dyspareunia be Confused with Other Pain Syndromes?
Dyspareunia is the most general diagnosis for pain with sex. All other pain syndromes fall under the diagnosis of dyspareunia so it is misleading to suggest that they are “confused” with each other. More commonly, dyspareunia is the first diagnosis and the physician then determines a more specific diagnosis.
How is Dyspareunia Treated?
Once the physician has found the specific underlying cause, or causes, for the pain a specific treatment plan can be developed. A few of the most common conditions include vaginismus, Vestibulodynia and vaginal atrophy all of which can be successfully treated.
If you’re suffering from Dyspareunia or any other sexual dysfunction, contact us for a free phone consultation.
IN A PATIENT’S OWN WORDS:
Shortly after going through menopause I started experiencing searing pain during intercourse. I spoke to my gynecologist about it and he prescribed some hormone cream. It didn’t help the problem and my doctor said there was nothing he could do. So for many, many years I abstained from intercourse with my husband.
On the Internet one day I found information about Maze Women’s Sexual Health. I was very interested and thought maybe they could help me. I waited four months before I gave them a call.
I called and filled out the necessary forms and set up my first appointment. I first spoke with a sex therapist and then with Melissa. She explained the treatment to me, which was simple enough. During the first treatment I did experience some pain, but worked through it and eventually it subsided. I progressed through the treatment quickly. It took about three months after which my husband and I finally tried to have intercourse again and I was totally pain free! I was so thankful to the Center for their patience and understanding. I am celebrating my 40th wedding anniversary and I feel like a young bride again.
– SS, Age 60 –