Painful Intercourse Specialist

What causes painful intercourse?

Painful intercourse, or dyspareunia, develops from a variety of causes, including gynecological problems, such as:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Ovarian cysts
• Vaginal muscle spasms (vaginismus)
• Vaginal bacterial and yeast infections with subsequent vaginal odor
• Skin disorders of the external genitalia (lichen sclerosus and lichen planus)

Then there are two more common causes of painful intercourse: vaginal atrophy due to menopause and vulvodynia.

What is vaginal atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy occurs when your levels of estrogen drop before and after menopause. When estrogen declines, the vaginal lining thins out, dehydrates, and loses elasticity, creating a condition called vaginal atrophy.

The same changes that cause vaginal atrophy also affect the lining of your urinary tract. If you develop vaginal atrophy, you’ll experience symptoms such as:

• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal itching
• Loss of lubrication
• Painful intercourse
• Urinary frequency
• Urinary urgency
• Nocturia (getting up during the night to urinate)

More than half of all women develop vaginal atrophy at menopause.

What is vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is a condition that causes chronic pain and burning around the opening of your vagina, which is called the vulva. The pain can last for months or years and become so severe that it’s impossible to have sex. You may notice slight swelling in the vulvar area, but most women don’t have any external signs of their pain.

How is painful intercourse treated?

Your doctor at The Ob-Gyn Center first determines the underlying cause of your painful intercourse and then prescribes treatment customized to relieve the problem. In the case of vulvodynia, treatment options include medications to reduce the pain, local anesthesia, and nerve blocks.

When painful intercourse is caused by loss of estrogen, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments:

Hormone creams, rings, and pills

These treatments are placed in your vagina, where they release estrogen that restores healthy vaginal tissues.

DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone that’s normally produced by your adrenal glands and triggers estrogen production. When DHEA is applied inside your vagina, it rebuilds a healthy vaginal lining.

Osphena® and Intrarosa®

Osphena (oral pill) and Intrarosa (vaginal insert) are medications that specifically target painful intercourse. They don’t contain hormones, but the active ingredient in Intrarosa converts into hormones, while Osphena produces the same effect as estrogen by stimulating estrogen receptors.

MonaLisa Touch®

The MonaLisa Touch is a specialized laser used to treat vaginal tissues. When the laser’s energy reaches structures below the vaginal lining, it triggers the production of blood vessels, collagen, and elastin. As a result, vaginal tissues regain lubrication, strength, and elasticity, and you don’t have to worry about painful sex.

You do not have to put up with painful intercourse. Call The Ob-Gyn Center or book an appointment online to get effective treatment and regain a healthy, satisfying sex life.