Painful intercourse before and after menopause is a common problem, yet women seldom talk about it. Pain during sex can also be caused by numerous gynecological conditions. The doctors at The Ob-Gyn Center want you to know that you don’t need to put up with painful sex because they’re here to help. They have extensive experience identifying and treating the underlying cause so you can continue to have a healthy sex life. If you have painful intercourse, call the office in Las Vegas or book an appointment online.
Painful intercourse, or dyspareunia, develops from a variety of causes, including gynecological problems, such as:
Then there are two more common causes of painful intercourse: vaginal atrophy due to menopause and vulvodynia.
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:
More than half of all women develop vaginal atrophy at menopause.
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.
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:
These treatments are placed in your vagina, where they release estrogen that restores healthy vaginal tissues.
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 (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.
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.
