Painful Sex: Common Causes & What Women Should Know

Women are tasked with all the difficult sufferings—childbirth, menstrual cramps, and everything in between. One pleasure women can rely on is sexual relations with their partner. But, when even that late-night enjoyment results in unbearable pain, it can be difficult to look forward to those intimate moments. Slight pain during your period or while having sex is often normal, but chronic and severe pelvic pain is not a normal part of being a woman.

You shouldn’t have to suffer through those times of togetherness that are meant to be enjoyed. Thankfully, you no longer have to. The professionals at Statesboro Women’s Health have the answers and are here to help you get down to the bottom of your painful intercourse.

Why Does Sex Hurt?

Painful sex is also referred to as dyspareunia, and is more common in women than in men. But ultimately, sex shouldn’t be painful. It should be a shared and joyful experience between you and your partner. Unfortunately, 20% of women report pain in some way during sexural intercourse. So, what’s causing the pain?

Sex can hurt for several reasons, from a medical condition to physical traits. Oftentimes, women complain about pain during sex due to their partner’s size or vaginal dryness—both problems that can be effectively dealt with. For those more severe and distressing pains that cause intercourse to be rendered impossible, it’s time to consult your doctor. 

Possible Causes

Pelvic pain during sex can have a variety of medical causes, including Vuvodynia, pelvic congestion syndrome, ovarian cysts, and more. As medical professionals, it’s our job to understand what’s causing your discomfort and determine a treatment option that’s right for you.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Though it can be treated effectively when caught in the early stages, it could also be the reason you’re experiencing pelvic pain during intercourse. If you’re experiencing symptoms such as rapid heart rate, foul smelling discharge, and pain during sex, these could all be indications that PID is the cause of your problems.

Pelvic Floor Tension Myalgia

After giving childbirth, your body goes through changes—your vagina being one of them. Experiencing a strenuous vaginal childbirth can cause pelvic floor tension myalgia. This is a condition where your muscles tend to contract more violently, putting pressure on your pelvis, leaving you with consistent pain during intercourse.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which cells from the inner lining of the uterus grow and spread outside the uterus and painfully break down during menstruation. 10 to 20% of women suffer from this painful disease and often times find difficulty in enjoying sexual relations.

Treatment Options

At Statesboro Women’s Health, we offer a variety of treatment options for pelvic pain including medicines, hormonal treatments, and minimally invasive surgeries. Before we discuss your treatment plan, you’ll go through an extensive diagnostic screening to determine what exactly is causing your pelvic pain. Here we’ll conduct a physical examination, on-site lab tests, colposcopy, ultrasound, cryoablation, and other in-depth tests.

Once the cause of your pelvic pain has been identified, our professional medical team will discuss a treatment plan. Based on your test results, we may prescribe medications such as pain relievers and muscle relaxants, or hormonal treatments such as birth control and injections. In more severe pelvic pain cases, surgery may be required to reduce pain and remove adhesions, fibroids, or endometriosis.

Women’s Health Specialists in Georgia

At Statesboro Women’s Health, we offered personalized care for women of all stages of life. We understand the difficulty that can arise when you no longer can enjoy sex and want to help you solve the problem. With our extensive knowledge and state-of-the-art testing ability, we can help you fight the cause of painful sex—bringing you back to a state of euphoria. Take control of your pelvis and enjoy those intimate moments once again when you trust in Dr. Sullivan.

Are you suffering from painful sex? Find the relief you deserve today!

Dr. Gary B. Sullivan and his team are dedicated to diagnose and treat painful sex, pelvic pain, and more. Don’t wait to find the relief you deserve! Call (912) 875-0392 or contact us online to schedule your appointment today.