Why You're Having Pain During Sex

Painful sex, called dyspareunia medically, can happen before, during, or after you engage in sexual activity. As many as 75% of women may experience painful sex at some point in their lives. 

There’s no single cause of dyspareunia; there are many reasons and types. Partnering with gynecologist Jennifer Moreira, MD, FACOG, at ThriveOB and Women's Wellness in Barrington, Illinois, may be the best way to quickly find a solution for your condition.

Types of painful sex

There are different and overlapping ways to classify painful sex. Let’s start with four general categories: 

• Complete pain: you feel pain each time you have sex
• Primary pain: you’ve experienced the same pain since you became sexually active
• Secondary pain: emerges after you’ve experienced sex without pain
• Situational pain: occasional pain that happens in certain situations or times

Location is also helpful in identifying the underlying causes of your dyspareunia, such as: 

• Entry pain: pain occurs at the entry to your vagina during the start of penetration
• Deep penetration pain: pain doesn’t occur until deep penetration occurs, and it may be associated with particular positions or sexual activities
• Positional pain: pain occurs in specific locations within your pelvis or vagina

Symptoms from deep and positional pain often overlap, making it difficult to specifically classify, but this isn’t necessarily crucial to identifying the cause of your pain condition. 

Why are you having pain during sex?

It’s possible to have single problems, temporary conditions, or combinations of ailments that cause pain during sex. Reasons and types of dyspareunia can change for you over time. Some of the most common causes of painful sex include: 

Vaginal dryness

The vagina is lined with mucosal tissue that creates a moist barrier, similar to the environment in your mouth and nasal passages. Secretions keep your vagina lubricated when you’re aroused, but natural levels may fluctuate, particularly with hormonal events like menopause. 

Growths of the reproductive system

Ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids are typically noncancerous growths that can each cause pain during intercourse. Cysts can cause pelvic pain on their own, and sexual activity can activate it or make it worse. Fibroids near the cervix can cause pain during penetration and intercourse.

Endometriosis

Uterine lining tissue can sometimes grow outside the uterus, a chronic condition called endometriosis. Painful sex is just one of the complications of this condition. 

Vaginitis

An inflammation of vaginal tissue, vaginitis can cause discharge, itchiness, redness, and swelling, as well as dyspareunia. 

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Infections of your reproductive organs can make sex painful. PID occurs for a number of reasons, including overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria, some sexually transmitted infections, or bacteria arriving from outside sources. 

Emotional factors

Sexual response in women often relies on mental factors, such as emotions, to stimulate physical arousal. Sex may be painful when you’re anxious or uncomfortable emotionally about having sex. 

There are answers to your painful sex conditions. Call ThriveOB and Women's Wellness at 847-868-2908 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Moreira and her team today.