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Sexual intercourse - painful - Overview

Alternative Names

Painful sexual intercourse; Dyspareunia

Definition of Sexual intercourse - painful:

For both men and women, pain can occur in the pelvic area during or soon after sexual intercourse. It can happen at any time during sex -- for example, at the time of penetration, erection, or ejaculation -- or after sexual activity.

Eventually, ongoing pain may cause a person to lose interest in any sexual activity.

The medical term for this is dyspareunia.

Common Causes:

A diaphragm that does not fit properly
Endometriosis
Genital irritation from soaps, detergents, douches, or feminine hygiene products
Hemorrhoids
Herpes sores, genital warts, or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Intercourse too soon after surgery or childbirth
Menopause
Ovarian cysts
Prostatitis -- inflammation of the prostate
Reaction to the latex of a diaphragm or condom
Sexual abuse or rape
Urinary tract infections
Use of certain medications
Vaginal dryness or too little lubrication (for example, from not enough foreplay)
Vaginal infection
Vaginismus

Causes of painful intercourse

Reviewed last on: 9/11/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Bhasin S, Basson R. Sexual dysfunction in men and women. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 19.

Shafer LC. Sexual disorders and sexual dysfunction. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 36.

Clayton AH, Hamilton DV. Female sexual dysfunction. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010 Jun;33(2):323-38.

Heidelbaugh JJ. Management of erectile dysfunction. Am Fam Physician. 2010 Feb 1;81(3):305-12.

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