by Janet Casperson, BS, MSN, ANP-C
Dyspareunia (painful sex) is defined as genital pain before, during or after intercourse. It is characterized by persistent or recurrent pain with attempted or actual vaginal entry. This pain can be superficial or deep.
Causes of Dyspareunia
The most common cause of deep dyspareunia is the partner's penis nudging or putting pressure on an ovary and/or the cervix. It may be caused by physical or sexual abuse, genital herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases, the size of the partner's penis, hormone deficiencies (particularly estrogen), mechanical or chemical irritation, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, urethritis, vaginal atrophy, irritants (latex and spermicides), radiation therapy, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibromyalgia, postoperative adhesions, endometriosis, genital or pelvic tumors, urinary tract infections, stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, or ovarian cysts.
Identifying and treating the cause of the dyspareunia is essential to the success of the treatment plan.
References: See Bibliography
August 2006
Posted August 2008
Updated December 2009
