Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia

    * Introduction
    * Causes
    * Diagnosis
    * Treatment
Dyspareunia is manifested by the appearance of continuous or intermittent pain during intercourse. Pain may be superficial, affecting the vulva and vaginal opening, or deep. Dyspareunia may occur both during and immediately after intercourse.
Dyspareunia may be psychological or organic origin. In men, the diagnosis of dyspareunia is rare and often has physical causes dyspareunia.
One can distinguish several types of dyspareunia:
- Superficial dyspareunia (penetration) - occurs at the beginning of penetration - Deep dyspareunia - translates into pain when penetration is complete - Primary dyspareunia - comes from the first sexual relationship - Secondary dyspareunia - occurs after a period of time in which the woman had sexual intercourse without pain and is generally caused by a psychological trauma
Superficial dyspareunia is characterized by initial discomfort, which occurs at the beginning of penetration. Its symptoms are pain in the vulva, burning or stinging sensation. Its causes are insufficient lubrication, vaginal infections, rashes, trauma or radiotherapy. Deep pain is more common and can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic tumors, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary tract infections or ovarian cysts.
Approximately 15% of women have painful sex at some point in life, but 1-2% of women experience dyspareunia really. Incidence is higher in women who were past victims of sexual abuse. In men, dyspareunia is rare and has mostly natural causes.