Pain during intercourse can be felt by both men and women. The causes of this pain are varied. Pain during sex can only be temporary, it can also happen repeatedly for a long time.
In medical terms, pain during intercourse is called dyspareunia. This condition is generally characterized by symptoms of pain in the vagina or penis during penetration. In addition, symptoms can also include a burning, stinging, or throbbing pain that lasts for hours after sex.
Causes of Pain During Sex
In many cases, pain during sexual intercourse is usually caused by a lack of lubricating fluid that makes the vagina dry. One of the reasons for this to happen is the lack of foreplay or how foreplay wrong.
In addition, several other factors that can also cause this condition are:
- Irritation or allergies in the genitals due to the use of spermicides and latex-based condoms, or from exposure to chemicals from shampoo and soap products.
- Infection or inflammation of the genitals or urinary tract, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital herpes.
- Congenital abnormalities, such as a vagina that is not fully formed or a hymen that closes completely (the vagina doesn't appear to be perforated).
- Certain diseases, such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, hemorrhoids, vaginismus, penile captivus (gancet), and ovarian cysts.
- Side effects of surgical procedures or medications, such as pelvic surgery, episiotomy, hysterectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Not only that, pain during sex can also be caused by psychological disorders, such as stress, depression, or fear and shame when having sex. The triggers are varied, and one of them is a history of sexual harassment.
Get to know how to deal with pain during sex
The following are some ways to deal with pain during intercourse, which are tailored to the cause:
Use lubricant
If pain during intercourse is caused by a lack of lubricating fluid or vaginal dryness, then this condition can be overcome by using a vaginal lubricant.
There are various types of lubricants that can be chosen. If using a condom during sexual intercourse, choose a water-based lubricant, as oil-based lubricants can damage the condom.
Use drugs
If pain during intercourse is caused by an infection, the right way to deal with it is to treat the infection. The drugs given by the doctor will be adjusted to the type of infection, for example antibiotics to treat bacterial infections or antifungals to treat fungal infections.
If pain during sexual intercourse is experienced by women who have gone through menopause, due to reduced lubrication fluid due to a decrease in the hormone estrogen, the doctor can give estrogen which is applied directly to the intimate organs.
Get psychological counseling and therapy
If pain during intercourse is caused by psychological factors or past sexual trauma, the doctor will advise you to see a psychologist or psychiatrist for consultation and psychological therapy. An example of therapy that you can undergo is cognitive behavioral therapy.
Apart from the ways above, establish romantic communication with your partner and do it foreplay to arouse arousal and trigger the release of natural lubricants from your intimate organs. Do not forget to vary the position during sexual intercourse.
Make sure you and your partner have sexual intercourse that is safe and comfortable for each other. If pain during intercourse occurs repeatedly, you should consult a doctor to get the appropriate treatment.