WOMENS HEALTH

Pain with Intercourse

Painful intercourse or dyspareunia is common in women with 1 in 2 women experiencing some pain during their lifetime. Pain with sex is common after having a baby and at the time of menopause. In 20% of women the pain is persistent, and or severe, and can affect sexual relationships, desire and libido.

There are many causes of dyspareunia and increased stiffness or tension in the pelvic floor muscles is commonly associated with pain with intercourse.

One of the causes is involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles during vaginal penetration which is known as vaginismus.

Another is pain and increased sensitivity in the vulval /vaginal area, known as vulvodynia which is a condition where the region just outside the vagina is painful with light touch or without any provocation at all.

Our physiotherapists are able to help you understand the factors that may be important for you and design a management program coaching you in pelvic floor muscle relaxation, general body relaxation, breathing techniques, and a graded return to pleasurable sexual activity.

WOMENS HEALTH

Pain with Intercourse

Painful intercourse or dyspareunia is common in women with 1 in 2 women experiencing some pain during their lifetime. Pain with sex is common after having a baby and at the time of menopause. In 20% of women the pain is persistent, and or severe, and can affect sexual relationships, desire and libido.

There are many causes of dyspareunia and increased stiffness or tension in the pelvic floor muscles is commonly associated with pain with intercourse.

One of the causes is involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles during vaginal penetration which is known as vaginismus.

Another is pain and increased sensitivity in the vulval /vaginal area, known as vulvodynia which is a condition where the region just outside the vagina is painful with light touch or without any provocation at all.

Our physiotherapists are able to help you understand the factors that may be important for you and design a management program coaching you in pelvic floor muscle relaxation, general body relaxation, breathing techniques, and a graded return to pleasurable sexual activity.

EMPOWERING WOMEN TO BE THEIR BEST SELF

Some common questions about pain with intercourse

  • Does it feel like there is a blockage?
  • Does your bladder feel irritated after sex?
  • Do you have difficulty having penetrative sex?
  • Do you have difficulty have penetrative sex (vaginismus)?
  • Do you have pain with sensitivity in the vulval area (vulvodynia)?
  • Are you aware of tightness or tension in your pelvic floor muscles?
  • Do you have pain with sex or have to limit positions or frequency of sex due to pain?
  • Are you avoiding sex due to pain at the time of sex or in the hours or days following sex?
WE CAN HELP YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

Download our fact sheet all about painful intercourse

Most women who see a trained Continence and Pelvic health physiotherapist can improve their symptoms of dyspareunia or pain with sexual intercourse. We work closely with your doctor to eliminate any underlying conditions and optimise your health. Do you need to speak to a physiotherapist who is specifically trained to help women experiencing pain with intercourse? We are that clinic, book now

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