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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 diseases
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: 8/1/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Maternal & Child Health Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

National Institutes of Health. National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference statement: management of menopause-related symptoms. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142(12 Pt 1):1003-1013.

Klein MC, Kaczorowski J, Firoz T, Hubinette M, Jorgensen S, Gauthier R. A comparison of urinary and sexual outcomes in women experiencing vaginal and Caesarean births. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2005; 27(4): 332-339.

Mahutte NG. Medical management of endometriosis-associated pain. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2003; 30(1): 133-150.

Eyler AE; Biggs WS. Medical human sexuality in family medicine practice. In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:chap 55.

Lentz GM. Emotional aspects of gynecology: sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, grief, loss. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 9.

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