Sexual intimacy is meant to be an enjoyable experience that draws you and your partner closer together. But when sex becomes painful, you may find yourself doing anything and everything just to avoid it. This fairly common problem — three in four women experience pain during sex at some point in their lives — can usually be resolved with the right approach. Dyspareunia, or frequent pain during intercourse, involves feeling pain at any point just before, during, or following sex.
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If you have further questions, contact your ob-gyn.
Pain during intercourse is very common—nearly 3 out of 4 women have pain during intercourse at some time during their lives. For some women, the pain is only a temporary problem; for others, it is a long-term problem. Pain during sex may be a sign of a gynecologic problem, such as ovarian cysts or endometriosis. Pain during sex also may be caused by problems with sexual response, such as a lack of desire the feeling of wanting to have sex or a lack of arousal the physical and emotional changes that occur in the body as a result of sexual stimulation. You may feel pain in your vulva , in the area surrounding the opening of your vagina called the vestibule , or within your vagina. The perineum is a common site of pain during sex. You also may feel pain in your lower back, pelvic region, uterus, or bladder. If you have frequent or severe pain during sex, you should see an obstetrician-gynecologist ob-gyn or other health care professional. It is important to rule out gynecologic conditions that may be causing your pain. Your ob-gyn or other health care professional also can help you address problems with sexual response.
Sex isn’t supposed to hurt
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Dyspareunia is the term for recurring pain in the genital area or within the pelvis during sexual intercourse. The pain can be sharp or intense. It can occur before, during, or after sexual intercourse. Dyspareunia is more common in women than men. It has many possible causes, but it can be treated. Several conditions can cause dyspareunia. Other women may experience pain as a result of emotional factors.
How to Navigate This Online Resource. Changes at Midlife. Sexual Problems at Midlife. Causes of Sexual Problems. Effective Treatments for Sexual Problems. Frequently Asked Questions. Give Us YourFeedback. As estrogen levels fall as women approach and pass menopause, the resulting dryness and thinning of vaginal tissues can cause penetration and intercourse to be uncomfortable for many women. After sex, some women feel soreness in their vagina or burning in their vulva or vagina. Over time, and without treatment, the inflammation that may result from infrequent sex without sufficient vaginal lubrication can lead to tearing and bleeding of vaginal tissues during sex.
