By Lady Efenyi.
Sex is meant to be enjoyed for satisfaction. So, if you experience painful sexual intercourse, that is a major red flag and you should see a doctor immediately. I know in this part of the world (Africa); sex is not discussed freely but is assured that doctors will be there to help.
Pain during or after sex is called dyspareunia and is caused by many things such as:
- Illness
- Infection
- a Physical problem
- A psychological problem.
Painful Sexual Intercourse in Women
Women can experience pain during or after sex, either in the vagina or deeper in the pelvis. Pain in the vagina could be caused by:
- an infection – thrush or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or genital herpes
- the menopause – changing hormone levels can make your vagina dry and lack sexual arousal at any age
- vaginismus – a condition where muscles in or around the vagina shut tightly, making sex painful or impossible genital irritation or allergy caused by spermicides, latex condoms, or products such as soap and shampoo.
Pain felt inside the pelvis can be caused by conditions such as:
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- endometriosis
- Fibroids growing near the vagina or cervix
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Constipation
Painful Sexual Intercourse in Men
Some causes of painful sex in men include:
- infections like thrush, which can cause soreness and itching, and some STIs, such as herpes
- A tight foreskin, which can make penetration painful, as the foreskin is pushed back small tears in the foreskin that can’t be seen but cause soreness and sharp, stinging pain around the tear inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis) testicle pain, and swelling which can sometimes be caused by getting sexually aroused but not ejaculating (coming); it can also be a sign of an infection, such as chlamydia.
Remedies for Painful Sexual Intercourse
The remedy is simple. See a physician or health counselor. You may be advised to do the following;
- If you have pain, unusual discharge, itchiness, or soreness around your genitals, they may recommend treatment for thrush or an STI test.
- If your vagina is dry, you may be advised to try using a lubricant – remember to use a water-based product if you’re using condoms because oil-based lubricants can damage them and make them ineffective.
- If you have an allergy or irritation around your genitals, you may be advised to avoid using products that could be causing it.
- If there’s an emotional reason or anxiety that’s causing problems, a counselor or sex therapist may be able to help – your GP or sexual health clinic can refer you to one.
Go forth and enjoy sex!
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- Lady Efenyi is a nursing student at the University of Calabar, Nigeria
