What is Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse)? Why Does It Occur in Women?

A healthy and pleasurable sexual life is one of the most crucial elements for the overall quality of life of individuals and couples. However, many women distance themselves from sexual life and experience marital issues due to the severe pain they feel during intercourse. In medicine, pain during sexual intercourse is called dyspareunia. Today, by combining gynecological and andrological approaches, individuals experiencing dyspareunia can achieve a pain-free and comfortable sexual life.

What is Dyspareunia and What Causes It?

Dyspareunia refers to aching, burning, stinging, or cramp-like pain felt during attempts at intercourse or during the intercourse itself. There are many organic (physical) causes that predispose women to dyspareunia:

• Infections: Vaginal yeast infections, bacterial vaginitis, or genital herpes lesions make the vaginal opening hypersensitive.
• Vaginal Dryness: Insufficient arousal, menopause, breastfeeding, or birth control pills reduce vaginal lubrication, causing severe pain due to friction.
• Anatomical Obstacles: A rigid or thick hymen (hymen anomalies) or congenital vaginal septa.
• Deep Pelvic Causes: Endometriosis (chocolate cysts), fibroids, or chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) trigger pain during deep penetration.

Holistic Treatment Approach

Women experiencing painful intercourse should not accept this condition as "normal" and must undergo an expert medical examination. With an accurate diagnosis, dyspareunia is a fully treatable condition.