Dyspareunia (painful sex)

Dyspareunia means pain during or after sex. The pain can be felt at the entrance of the vagina or deeper inside, and it may feel like burning, stinging, aching, or sharpness. It can happen every time or only sometimes. Painful sex is common, and it can affect how a woman feels about intimacy, but with the right help it usually improves.

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Pain and worry are closely linked. Once sex has hurt, it is natural to feel tense or anxious the next time, and that tension can make the muscles tighten and the body less aroused, which then makes pain more likely. This creates a cycle where the fear of pain keeps the pain going, even after any first cause has settled.

Physical causes often play a part too, such as infections, dryness, hormone changes, or a health condition, so these are always worth checking.

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Physical causes include infections, low lubrication or dryness (often around menopause or breastfeeding), skin conditions, endometriosis, or scarring after childbirth or surgery.

 

Emotional causes and knock-on effects include anxiety, stress, low desire, worry about pain, and past painful or upsetting experiences. Often it is a mix, where a physical trigger starts the pain and worry then keeps it going.

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Painful sex responds well to treatment, especially when the physical and emotional sides are looked at together through:
 

• Finding the cause. A proper assessment, including a medical check, helps identify what is triggering the pain.
   

• Easing the worry. A therapist helps calm the anxiety and muscle tension that build up around pain.
   

• Taking the pressure off. Step-by-step exercises help you rebuild comfort and enjoyment without the fear of pain.
   

• Working as a couple. Talking openly together eases tension and helps you both feel relaxed and connected.
   

Where a physical cause such as an infection, dryness, or a skin condition is involved, your doctor can treat this alongside therapy.
 

Because painful sex can sometimes be linked to a health problem, it is always worth checking your general health too.
 

If this sounds familiar, a private, confidential first appointment can help find the cause and the right treatment for you.