Dyspareunia describes painful sexual intercourse, in women, that is recurrent and persistent. Dyspareunia and vaginismus (spasm of the pubic muscles of the lower vagina) often appear together.
Causes of Dyspareunia
Physical causes of dyspareunia include infection of the genitals, such as herpes and other viruses involving the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes or ovaries. Pressure against the vaginal wall caused by scarring from operations or radiation treatment can lead to painful sexual intercourse. A tight episiotomy scar from vaginal repair after childbirth will sometimes produce pain with sexual intercourse. Fibroids or other uterine tumor, endometriosis, a hymen that is imperforate (not opened), torn or thicker than normal, bruised opening to the urethra, inadequate vaginal or condom lubrication, allergic reactions to diaphragms, condoms or contraceptive foams and jellies, dryness and thinness of the vaginal wall after menopause, and pelvic inflammatory disease can all lead to physical causes of dyspareunia. . Psychological and emotional causes of dyspareunia include fear of pregnancy, fear of injury to the unborn child during pregnancy, lack of sexual arousal and vaginal lubrication caused by inadequate or insufficient sexual foreplay. Aversion to a sexual partner, fatigue, anxiety, lack of sexual experience or information, past sexual injury or psychological trauma and temporary lack of desire for a particular sexual partner, can all lead to painful sexual intercourse primarily mediated by psychological causes.
Signs and Symptoms of Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia produces pain in the genital area during sexual activity, foreplay, intercourse or attempted intercourse. Pain may be mild or severe, and may vary with alternate intercourse positions.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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