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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffResearchers estimate that up to 1 in 5 women experience episodes of genital pain that occurs just before, during or after intercourse. But the location of pain and frequency of pain varies greatly. If you experience painful intercourse, you may feel:
- Pain with every penetration, even while putting in a tampon
- Pain with certain partners or just under certain circumstances
- New pain after previously pain-free intercourse
- Superficial (entry) pain
- Deep pain during thrusting, which is often described as "something being bumped"
- Burning pain or aching pain
Most women with dyspareunia complain of superficial pain, which occurs upon penetration.
When to see a doctor
Many women with persistent sexual pain never seek medical attention. Don't be one of them. If you are experiencing painful intercourse, talk to your doctor. Treating the problem can do wonders for your sex life, your emotional intimacy and your self-image.
- MacNeill C. Dyspareunia. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2006;33:565.
- Stewart EG. Approach to the woman with a sexual pain disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2009.
- Stewart EG. Causes and treatment of sexual pain disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2009.
- Steege JF, et al. Evaluation and treatment of dyspareunia. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;113:1124.
- Ryan L, et al. 10-minute consultation: Female dyspareunia. British Medical Journal. 2004; 328:1357.
- Heim LJ. Evaluation and differential diagnosis of dyspareunia. American Family Physician. 2001;63:1535.
- Chasson S. Female sexual dysfunction. In: Schuiling KD, et al. Women's Gynecologic Health. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett; 2006:343.
- Birnbaum SL. Medical evaluation of female sexual dysfunction. In: Goroll AH, et al. Primary Care Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&NEWS=N&PAGE=booktext&D=books&AN=00140049/5th_Edition/115&XPATH=/OVIDBOOK%5b1%5d/METADATA%5b1%5d/TBY%5b1%5d/EDITORS%5b1%5d. Accessed Nov. 11, 2009.
- Latthe P, et al. WHO systematic review of prevalence of chronic pelvic pain: A neglected reproductive health morbidity. BioMed Central Public Health. 2006;6:177. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/6/177. Accessed Nov. 10, 2009.
- Swanson JB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 19, 2009.
