Pain in the genital organs during intercourse is called dyspareunia. This condition can occur in men and women. However, dyspareunia is more often experienced by women. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists page, three out of four women have experienced pain in their genital organs during intercourse.
Dyspareunia in women is usually characterized by pain in the vulva or vaginal entrance. Often the pain is felt to the inside of the vagina and lower pelvis. Dyspareunia does not only occur in the first sexual relationship.
In addition, this condition is most common in women in the postmenopausal period.
Causes of dyspareunia experienced by women
Pain in dyspareunia is often associated with deep penetration. However, based on information reported by the Mayo Clinic page, there are many factors that can trigger it. The following are a number of factors that cause dyspareunia to occur in women.
1. Lack of lubricating fluid in the vagina
When having sex, the vagina will release fluid as a lubricant. Lack of ordinary fluids is caused by a decrease in estrogen levels after menopause, labor, or while breastfeeding.2. Take certain medicines
Certain medications can affect sexual desire or arousal. The effect can reduce lubrication and make sex painful for women. Among these drugs, including antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs, sedatives, antihistamines, and certain birth control pills.3. Injury, trauma or irritation
Injury or irritation due to accidents, pelvic surgery, female circumcision, and incision wounds during childbirth to enlarge the birth canal, can also trigger dyspareunia.4. Inflammation, infection or skin disorders
Infection of the genital area or urinary tract can also cause sexual intercourse to trigger pain or dyspareunia. In addition, irritants such as eczema or other skin problems in the genital area can also cause similar problems.5. Vaginismus
This term refers to the condition of spasms in the muscles of the vaginal wall that can occur accidentally. This muscle spasm can make penetration painful for women.6. Congenital abnormalities
Problems that can arise after childbirth, such as imperfectly formed vaginal or membrane development that blocks the opening of the vagina, can also cause dyspareunia.7. Certain diseases and conditions
Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine prolapses, inverted uterus, uterine fibroids, cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, adenomyosis, hemorrhoids, to ovarian cysts, can also cause dyspareunia.8. Medical surgery or treatment
Scars resulting from pelvic surgery, including hysterectomy, can cause painful sexual relations. Medical treatments for cancer, such as radiation and chemotherapy, have the potential to trigger similar conditions.9. Emotional factors
Some emotional factors including psychological problems, anxiety, depression, worries about physical appearance can also affect sexual arousal, and make sexual activity uncomfortable. When women experience stress, the pelvic floor muscles tend to tighten easily, so there is a risk of triggering pain during sexual intercourse.Tips to prevent dyspareunia
So far, there is no specific preventive way to avoid dyspareunia. However, as reported by the Healthline page, to reduce the risk of pain during sex, the following tips can be done.1. After giving birth, sexual intercourse should be done at least six weeks postpartum.
2. When the vagina is dry, you should use a water-soluble lubricant.
3. Maintain the cleanliness of vital organs.
4. Perform medical care routinely and precisely.
5. Use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
6. Perform foreplay to encourage vaginal lubrication.
The Healthline page also informs at least three types of methods to treat dyspareunia.
First, by taking certain medicines. This method can be done to overcome certain conditions. For example cases of infection, postmenopausal conditions, lack of lubrication in the vagina due to decreased estrogen hormone levels.
Second, desensitization therapy. This therapy is a vaginal relaxation exercise so that the muscles are relaxed and not painful when having sex.
Third, when sexual intercourse is painful for a partner, counseling with a counselor or therapist can be a solution.
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