Do you have pain after sex? You may have Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia, the term may be a stranger to you. But the condition he describes is more common than you might think. Dyspareunia is the name given to the disorder, of physical or psychological causes, characterized by genital pain during or after sex.

It can affect men and women, although it is more common in women. Lack of information and shame about the subject can turn an activity that should be a source of pleasure into a real torment. Let's clarify the main doubts about dyspareunia. After all, knowing the problem is the most effective way to demystify it.

Symptoms and types of dyspareunia

We used the sensation of pain to define the sign of dyspareunia. However, it is important to understand that pain can be reported in different ways. Stinging and burning, for example, are ways of interpreting discomfort. The intensity of sensations is also relative. It can be mild, moderate, or reach acute manifestations, when the pain is excruciating.

Another important point is that, when we talk about the disorder, we consider cases of recurrent discomfort - and not single, isolated episodes. As for the focus of the pain, women point out different places or situations, such as:

• external part of the vagina, especially the vulva;
• during penetration, with the introduction of internal dressings or vibrators;
• at the bottom of the vagina, closer to the uterus;
• after sex, as a rule, lasting for hours.

With regard to the types of dyspareunia, it is customary to categorize them as follows:

• primary: the discomfort has been present since the first sexual intercourse;
• secondary: unpleasant sensations arise over time, after normal experiences, without discomfort;
• situational: occurs with specific partners or only in a certain position;
• generalized: all attempts at sex are accompanied by pain.

Physical or organic causes

The disorder needs to be evaluated by doctors, who will proceed with the necessary tests to investigate the origin of the problem. The answer may have an emotional background, which we will discuss next. However, if the cause is physical, your treatment will be compatible with the diagnosed disorder. Check some organic situations that can result in dyspareunia:

• genital malformations;
• endometriosis;
• allergies or dermatitis;
• genital herpes;
• cystitis;
• candidiasis;
• reduced vaginal lubrication;
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• menopause;
• postpartum (especially when episiotomy is performed).

Psychological or emotional causes

Once verified that the body, from a physical point of view, is healthy, it is time to investigate the incidence of psychological factors, which can inhibit excitement, relaxation and vaginal lubrication itself. The emotional circumstances that can have repercussions on sexual activity are multiple, but there are some that are more recurrent. Among them, we mention:

• history of sexual abuse: when sex is associated with rape, trauma or disrespect for desire (including non-consenting relationships that occur between married partners), dyspareunia is quite present;
• disorders such as stress, depression or anxiety;
• education or very strict religious beliefs, which surround sexuality with taboos and feelings of guilt;
• absence of sexual desire for the partner;
• fears, such as getting pregnant or hurting the baby, during pregnancy;
• body insecurity;
• lack of self-knowledge, in the sense of understanding what causes pleasure and excites;
• self-esteem issues.

Most common types

Introitus dyspareunia (vaginismus) is the most common manifestation when the cause of pain has emotional origins. It is characterized by contraction of the vaginal musculature, which prevents comfortable and pleasurable penetration. In other words, the tension causes involuntary spasms in the vagina, closing the penis or any object that is introduced (including in gynecological exams).

Postpartum dyspareunia, whose reasons may be physical, may also have a psychological background. This is because, after childbirth, doubts about the body and sexuality itself are normal. Will everything be like before? It will hurt? Will the pleasure subside? Will the post-pregnancy appearance be attractive? Questions like these are very common. Added to the couple's tiredness and change of routine, the postpartum period can indeed trigger episodes of dyspareunia.

Consequences

It is worth emphasizing that pain always signals that something is not right. She can be the symptom of some disease that needs timely treatment. Ignoring this warning can worsen the situation and cause irreversible damage. However, not only physical health is at risk. Even when the origin is in organic causes, the psychological state can suffer strong shocks.

When sex hurts, it becomes rejected. This impoverishes the quality of life and feelings of inadequacy, incapacity and frustration are multiplied. Undoubtedly, it also impacts on the relationship with the partner. With sex, mutual satisfaction is sought. And, when this does not occur, the misunderstanding moves to other sectors of coexistence.

Some women, seeking to "please" their partners, submit to the sexual act, despite the pain. The situation, however, tends to be unsustainable – in addition to being the wrong choice. Especially when there is no opening to report the discomfort, the pain ends up pushing the couple apart. The feeling of guilt can take over and even make future relationships unfeasible.

It is crucial that sex is perceived as any activity that we might normally engage in. When we notice any irregularity with our body, what do we do? We seek help from a health professional, we narrate our difficulties, we share with whom we are intimate. The same must be done when the dysfunction is sexual.

Treatments

Treatment may involve pelvic physiotherapy, hormone therapy, use of lubricating ointments or surgeries, according to the clinical picture diagnosed. In cases of situational dyspareunia, a simple adaptation will solve the problem. Unpleasant positions must be avoided and, with dialogue, the couple discovers the rhythm that benefits both. Self-knowledge of the body and the circumstances that are – or not – exciting, promoting relaxation and lubrication, are also essential.