What is dyspareunia and how is it treated?

Have you ever tried to share an intimate moment with your partner and felt pain instead of pleasure? If so, you’re not alone. This is called dyspareunia, and it can really have bad repercussions on your intimate life and peace of mind.

Dyspareunia is a medical condition that causes pain during sexual intercourse. It’s not just a temporary discomfort, but a problem that can heavily affect the relational sphere of those who suffer from it.

Although it can also affect men, this condition mostly affects women today (between 12% and 15% of women of childbearing age, rising to 40% during menopause). People who suffer from this problem may find it difficult to talk about it, either due to embarrassment or because they mistakenly think they are alone. In this article our objective is to clarify all doubts about the topic. Here is everything you need to know about dyspareunia and how to best manage it to bring back your smile.

What is dyspareunia?

From a clinical point of view, dyspareunia can be described as recurrent pain in the genital area before, during, or after sexual intercourse.

As mentioned, it can affect both men and women, but it is more common in women. Indeed statistics indicate that nearly 40% of menopausal women experience it. This means that almost one in two women may feel pain during intercourse after a certain age.

This is not just about annoying symptoms, but a real pain that can heavily impact your desire for intimacy.

This condition can also negatively affect your emotional sphere, leading to relational problems that should not be underestimated. Let’s go into further details.

Dyspareunia: types and symptoms

What are the symptoms of someone suffering from dyspareunia? Of course they can vary, but often include:

• pain during penetration – this pain can be burning, sharp, or dull;
• pain after sexual intercourse;
• discomfort even with the use of tampons.

Two types of dyspareunia have been identified, based on when the pain occurs and its location:

1. superficial dyspareunia – here, the pain is felt at the beginning of sexual activity, right at the vaginal opening. It might be caused by infections, inflammation, dryness (thus insufficient lubrication), or other dermatological issues;
2. deep dyspareunia – this pain occurs with deeper penetration and could be due to internal issues like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or other pelvic inflammatory diseases or adhesions.

Dyspareunia: causes

Different causes can lead to the onset of various types of this condition.

It is essential to specify that the causes of dyspareunia can be varied and complex. These include physical, emotional, and relational factors that often are connected to each others:

• physical causes – include vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, endometriosis, pelvic issues, vaginal dryness, pelvic surgery, and menopause;
• emotional and psychological causes – stress, anxiety, depression, past traumatic experiences, or relationship issues can play a significant role;
• other factors – such as the use of certain medications, skin conditions, or muscle disorders like vaginismus.

Determining exactly which of these causes is at the root of your pain can be difficult. Accurately diagnosing dyspareunia often requires a team of professionals.

Medical tests may include various exams such as a visual and physical examination of the genitals and pelvic floor. Moreover laboratory tests to rule out infections, ultrasounds or other imaging exams to analyze any internal issues. Finally psychological consultations to explore any emotional triggers.

Can dyspareunia be cured?

The good news is that there are now numerous effective treatments available to alleviate and manage this challenging condition.

As you might expect, a proper diagnosis is essential, as the treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause.

Treatment options for dyspareunia encompass:

• targeted medical therapy, such as antibiotics for infections, vaginal creams, or hormonal treatments;
• pelvic floor physical therapy to strengthen and relax the pelvic muscles;
• psychological therapy to face emotional or relational issues;
• use of lubricants to reduce vaginal dryness;
• surgery, in rare cases, to resolve structural problems.

Dyspareunia: exercises

Here are some simple movements that help relax and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, improving circulation and reducing stress.

Ready to start? Let’s explore Kegel exercises: while urinating, try to stop the flow. The muscles you are exercising are the ones of the pelvic floor.

Once you are able to control these muscles:

1. Contract them for 5 seconds.
2. Then relax them for 5 seconds.
3. Repeat 10 times.

Try this exercise 3 times a day, and you’ll soon notice the benefits.

You might also include deep breathing techniques:

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent.
2. Breathe deeply and as you exhale, imagine completely relaxing the pelvic floor muscles.
3. Do this exercise for 5-10 minutes. It’s a great way to connect with your body and relieve accumulated tension.

Lastly, stretching and hip mobilization can also benefit the pelvic muscles:

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent.
2. Bring one knee toward your chest and hug it with your hands.
3. Hold the position for 30 seconds, then switch legs. You’ll feel more flexible and relaxed.

These are just a few of the exercises recommended during a physical therapy rehabilitation program. As you can see, they are simple and do not require much effort. These exercises can be performed at any time of the day, ensuring noticeable benefits for dyspareunia in the short term.

Dyspareunia: natural remedies

Where pharmacological therapy is not strictly necessary, always remember to consult your doctor. Indeed, there are some proven natural products that address specific causes of dyspareunia.

Osidra is highly effective in alleviating vaginal dryness and atrophy, whether during menopause or if these symptoms develop earlier. Osidra is a hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid supplement that can be taken sublingually; this method allows enhanced absorption compared to traditional products. It ensures 100% bioavailability.

What does it mean? It means that the active ingredient is fully absorbed by the body and acts precisely where the problem is located.

Moreover Lovidra is another highly effective natural product for treating dyspareunia. A fast-absorbing intimate serum that tones, nourishes, hydrates, and lubricates the vulvovaginal area.

Its innovative formula combines hyaluronic acid with three different molecular weights: vitamin E, and rice bran oil. The result is a regenerative effect that restores tone and elasticity to the tissues enhancing the overall health of the vulvovaginal area.

Osidra and Lovidra are two entirely natural products that can be highly effective for dyspareunia and other symptoms such as dryness, itching, and vaginal burning. Both of them can significantly improve the overall quality of life for women struggling with this condition.

Dyspareunia: let’s explore this topic

Dyspareunia is a painful and challenging condition that can deeply affect both quality of life and sexual health.

Remember, you are not alone. Sexual pain can be avoided: speaking with a professional can make a significant difference. As covered in this article, there are many solutions available that can help you achieve a fulfilling and pain-free sex life.

Your health and well-being come first and you deserve to feel good in your body and your relationships!