Pain During Intercourse

Pain during or after intercourse is known as dyspareunia. Pain can result from a variety of emotional and physical factors, including stress deep in the pelvic region. Pelvic pain, in particular, can result from:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

• Scarring of ligaments from childbirth or pelvic surgery

• Tightening of the pelvic floor muscles

Pain during intercourse may also point to other pelvic conditions, including:

• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS): A condition that involves regular pain in the pelvic region

• Pudendal neuralgia (PN) or pudendal nerve entrapment (PNE): Both involve stress on the pudendal nerve which runs between the anus and the genitals

• Piriformis Syndrome: The compression of the piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve in the buttock

Women experiencing pain during intercourse may have vulvar conditions:

Vulvodynia: chronic vulvar pain with no discernable cause that may be the result of sex-related nerve injury or irritation

Vaginismus: painful vaginal contractions that may be a result of performance anxiety, often treated with Kegel exercises

Levator Ani Syndrome: a type of chronic proctalgia (or recurrent rectal pain) in which a muscle in the pelvis is often sensitive and sore

Many people may be hesitant to discuss dyspareunia-related symptoms with medical professionals. However, due to the wide range of conditions that cause dyspareunia, it’s important to talk about them with your doctor.

We help develop a personalized treatment plan so you can enjoy sex the way you deserve. Our holistic approach to healing, combined with physical therapy and traditional treatments, ensures a plan that addresses your pelvic symptoms.