Amethyst Therapy

Linda Creamer PG Dip, DCH, MBACP/COSRT member
07794 647 442

Dyspareunia (Painful intercourse)

Treatment

Linda has a vast amount of experience, and has helped many women to overcome Dyspareunia so don’t suffer in silence call Linda today.

After obtaining information regarding the history of your problem, Linda will consider the cause and offer an appropriate treatment plan. The treatment plan may include;

homework tasks
talk therapy communicating openly about sex
hypnotherapy and relaxation techniques
consulting with your GP if a physical problem also exists
consideration of other resources eg. lubricants and vaginal dilators, where necessary


Linda can also provide you with some practical advice about sex, such as foreplay techniques, and how to make effective use of other treatments for Dyspareunia in order to improve your sex life.

Dyspareunia is a medical term that simply means ‘painful intercourse’. It is a general term used to describe all types of sexual pain. It can affect men but it is more common in women. Sexual pain may occur upon penetration, during intercourse, and/or following intercourse. It can exist anywhere in the genital area – the clitoris, labia, or vagina, etc. The pain may be described as sharp, stinging, burning, bumping, cramping or may be described in other ways.

Causes

Physical causes of painful intercourse tend to differ, depending on whether the pain occurs at entry or with deep thrusting. Emotional factors can be associated with many types of painful intercourse.

Entry pain

Pain during penetration may be associated with a range of factors, including:

Insufficient lubrication This is often the result of not enough foreplay. Insufficient lubrication is also commonly caused by a drop in estrogen levels after menopause, after childbirth or during breast-feeding. In addition, certain medications are known to inhibit desire or arousal, which can decrease lubrication and make sex painful. These include antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, sedatives, antihistamines and certain birth control pills.

Injury, trauma or irritation This includes injury or irritation from an accident, pelvic surgery, female circumcision, episiotomy or a congenital abnormality.

Inflammation, infection or skin disorder An infection in your genital area or urinary tract can cause painful intercourse. Eczema or other skin problems in your genital area also can be the problem.

Vaginismus Involuntary spasms of the muscles of the vaginal wall (vaginismus) can make attempts at penetration very painful.


Deep pain

Deep pain usually occurs with deep penetration and may be more pronounced with certain positions. Causes include:

Certain illnesses and conditions The list includes endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine prolapse, retroverted uterus, uterine fibroids, cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids and ovarian cysts.

Surgeries or medical treatments Scarring from surgeries that involve your pelvic area, including hysterectomy, can sometimes cause painful intercourse. In addition, medical treatments for cancer, such as radiation and chemotherapy, can cause changes that make sex painful.


Emotional factors

Emotions are deeply intertwined with sexual activity and may play a role in any type of sexual pain. Emotional factors include:

Psychological problems Anxiety, depression, concerns about your physical appearance, fear of intimacy or relationship problems can contribute to a low level of arousal and a resulting discomfort or pain.

Stress Your pelvic floor muscles tend to tighten in response to stress in your life. This can contribute to pain during intercourse.

History of sexual abuse Most women with dyspareunia don't have a history of sexual abuse, but if you have been abused, it may play a role.


Call Linda on 0779 4647442 to ask any further questions or to book an appointment. You can also contact us via e-mail and request a call back using the contact page.

*Disclaimer: The results of these services and therapies may vary from person to person.