Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is the medical term for painful intercourse, defined as persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after intercourse.
Types of Dyspareunia :

1. Superficial – Pain is felt at or near introitus.
2. Deep – Pain is felt deep in vagina or lower part of abdomen.
   What causes dyspareunia?
   Several conditions can cause dyspareunia. It may be due to some physical or
   emotional factor or combination of both.
   Common physical causes of dyspareunia include:
   V⦁ aginal dryness from ⦁ menopause, childbirth, breastfeeding, medications, or too little arousal before intercourse.
   S⦁ kin disorders that cause ⦁ ulcers, ⦁ cracks, ⦁ itching, or burning.
   ⦁ Infections, such as ⦁ yeast or ⦁ urinary tract infections (UTIs)
   ⦁ Injury or trauma from childbirth, an accident, an ⦁ episiotomy, a ⦁ hysterectomy, or pelvic surgery
   V⦁ ulvodynia, or pain centered in the vulva area
   V⦁ aginitis, or inflammation of the vagina
   V⦁ aginismus, or a spontaneous tightening of the muscles of the vaginal wall
   endometriosis
   pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
   uterine fibroids
   ⦁ Factors that reduce sexual desire or affect a person’s ability to become aroused can also cause dyspareunia. These factors include:
   S⦁ tress, which can result in tightened muscles of the pelvic floor.
   ⦁ Fear, guilt, or shame related to sex.
   ⦁ Self-image or body issues.
   ⦁ Relationship problems- not comfortable with your partner.
   ⦁ History of sexual abuse or rape.
   What are the symptoms of dyspareunia?
   Dyspareunia pain can vary. Pain may occur:
   ⦁ in the ⦁ vagina, ⦁ urethra, or ⦁ bladder
   ⦁ during penetration
   ⦁ during or after intercourse
   ⦁ deep in the pelvis during intercourse

How’s dyspareunia diagnosed?
⦁ A ⦁ pelvic examination by a gynaecologist can be help you to diagnose dyspareunia. During this procedure, your doctor will look at the external and internal pelvic area for signs of:
⦁ Dryness
⦁ inflammation or infection
⦁ anatomical problems
genital warts
⦁ scarring
⦁ abnormal masses
⦁ endometriosis
⦁ tenderness
How’s dyspareunia treated?
Medications – Dyspareunia treatments are based on the cause of the condition. If your pain is caused by an underlying infection or condition, your doctor may treat it with:
⦁ Antibiotics.
⦁ Antifungal medicines.
⦁ Topical gel based painkillers or lubricants like Lox jelly or K-Y jelly.
Low estrogen levels cause dyspareunia in some women. Estrogen replacement in body can help you decrease dyspareunia.
⦁ An estrogen-free drug called ospemifene (Osphena) acts like estrogen on vaginal tissues. It’s effective in making the tissues thicker and less fragile. This can reduce the amount of pain women experience with sexual intercourse.
Home care
These home remedies can also reduce dyspareunia symptoms:
⦁ Have sex when you and your partner are relaxed.
⦁ Be comfortable and happy with your partner.
⦁ Communicate openly with your partner about your pain.
⦁ Empty your bladder before sex.
⦁ Take a warm bath before sex.
⦁ Take an over-the-counter pain reliever before.
⦁ Apply an ice pack to the vulva to calm burning after sex. 
⦁ Keigles exercise and strengthen your muscles and tone them up and hence relieve pain.
(PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTOR still remains the foremost factor in painful sex. Being comfortable with your partner and getting fear while doing sex is helpful 90% times in relieving pain. Medications are there to help but your mind is the best medicine you have in this case.)