Causes of Dyspareunia

Pain during sex may be associated with a range of physical and/or emotional factors.

Physical Factors:

• Inadequate lubrication
• Injury, trauma or irritation
• Inflammation, infection or skin disorder
• Reactions to birth control products
• Vaginismus
• Vulvar Vestibulitus
• Medical treatments
• Infections
• Surgery

Emotional Factors:

• Stress:
• the pelvic floor muscles are very sensitive to stress
• History of sexual abuse:
• if a woman has been sexually abused, it may play a role in dyspareunia
• Psychological problems such as:
• Anxiety
• General stress
• Tension in relationship

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether psychological factors are a cause or result of dyspareunia. Initial pain can lead to fear of recurring pain, making it difficult to relax, which can lead to more pain.

Treating Dyspareunia

It is important to establish the cause of dyspareunia. It is important to work with your practitioner to exactly identify both the location of the pain and the location of the pain trigger. Even if the physical pain can be reproduced during your physical examination, the possible emotional factors must be acknowledged.

Free women’s sexuality information packet.

Contact us for more information about the center or call us to make an appointment at (914) 328-3700.