Sex is supposed to be pleasurable and relaxing, however, sometimes, for many, it could be painful. If you suffer from pain during or after sex, it could mean that you're one of many suffering from dyspareunia. “Dyspareunia is a term given to the occurrence of recurrent and persistent pain during or after sexual intercourse. It is commonly seen in women,” explained Dr Deepak Jumani, a Mumbai-based sexual health physician and counsellor with Sir JJ Group of Hospitals and Grant Medical College.
“The pain is often associated with external genitalia but can sometimes affect the inner pelvis or vagina. It is characterised by pain on penetration, burning sensation, throbbing pain that remains a long time after intercourse,” he said. “Causes of dyspareunia include emotional and psychological factors, lack of natural lubrication (especially in menopausal women due to low estrogen levels), inflammation, infections, trauma or injury (example, post birth), vaginismus or any congenital disorders,” he added.
Severe pain during or after sex could also be the result of diseases such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine prolapse, uterine fibroids and cancer and its treatment. Many times patients who take antihistaminics for cold or allergies also get dyspareunia. In men, the same pain could occur immediately after ejaculation due to infection, injury, rough intercourse or forceful retraction of tight foreskin.
“If the condition is due to lack of lubrication, then the use of topical lubricants is recommended. Foreplay before penetration can also help increase lubrication naturally,” explained Dr Vinod Raina, a Delhi-based sexologist on the Lybrate medical app. “Any underlying infection may also need attention. For instance, if inflammation due to fungal infection is the cause of dyspareunia, then a Mycogen cream can provide relief. Other serious medical causes such as endometriosis require proper diagnosis and the primary cause needs to be treated. Change in coital position may help avoid or relieve pain during deep penetration,” he added.
