See what Painful sex may cause in the life of women

Medical experts have said painful sex, medically known as dyspareunia, could affect the quality of life of women if not treated.

The physicians said the condition, which has become a global concern, could lead to relationships and marriage breakups due to sex deprivation.

Mayo Clinic says painful intercourse can occur for reasons that range from structural problems to psychological concerns, adding that many women have painful intercourse at some point in their lives.

“Painful intercourse is a persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after sex. Talk to your doctor if you’re having painful intercourse. Treatments focus on the cause, and can help eliminate or lessen this common problem”, the clinic stated.

According to the World Health Organisation, dyspareunia is part of long-term health problems caused by childbirth in women, affecting more than a third of postpartum women.

The global health body in a report in 2023, said pain during intercourse was affecting more than a third, that is, 35 percent of postpartum women.

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise on the condition, a family physician at Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr. Chidumeje Okafor said, “Painful sex occurs in both genders but it’s more common in females.”

Defining the condition as a persistent and recalling genital pain that occurs just before, during, or after intercourse, he said, the pain could be divided into deep and superficial.

He explained that the superficial was the one that has to do with the problem with the mouth of the vagina, vulva, and labia, while deep pain is due to injuries that occur deep inside the vagina and not outside.

He said, “The causes of superficial pain could be poor attraction; that is when the woman is not attracted to the man. The second is poor lubrication on the side of the woman for many causes.

“Poor lubrication could be as a result of infective foreplay, low libido or low sexual arousal or bruises from the previous sex that the current one has become another problem. The pain could be a result of reaction to latex condoms and inflammation from creams and soap.

“Inflammation can also be from infections like dermatitis and candidiasis. All these have the potential to ease the pain during penile sex. Also, another condition that might cause dyspareunia is endometriosis, a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.

“It could also be Adenomyosis, a gynecologic condition that causes endometrial tissue in the lining of the uterus to grow into the muscular wall of the uterus and others. Fibroids can also cause painful sex. Having a partner with a big penis can lead to that.

“Of course, pelvic inflammatory disease, vagina prolapse, hemorrhoids, and piles may also affect dyspareunia.”

While proffering solutions, he said, “If one partner is not responding, it can affect the other’s libido. It can kill the partner’s sexual life and may lead to break up in the relationships.”

On the treatment, he said, “You can get an artificial lubricant if your partner is not lubricating well. But if it goes beyond that, you have to seek the help of a physician for a more detailed treatment.

“Talk to your doctor if you are having painful intercourse. Treatments focus on the cause and can help eliminate or lessen this common problem. You can go for vegetables, apples, and even wheat flour, the type eaten by diabetic patients. It will give a lot of relief.”

On the treatment, a study, ‘Evaluation and Treatment of Female Sexual Pain: A Clinical Review,’ published in the National Library of Medicine, states that the first step in the treatment process of dyspareunia is acknowledging that the patient has pain.

Authored by James Sorensen and his team, the study reads, “Patients should be instructed that resolution of their pain might be a long process or that the pain may not completely resolve. Providers should focus on educating patients about pelvic anatomy, physiology, and lifestyle modification.

“It is particularly important to review appropriate vulvar care to minimize vulvar irritation such as wearing 100 percent cotton underwear, applying preservative-free and alcohol-free emollients or lubricants during intercourse, and avoiding irritants, harsh soaps, douching, and hair drying the vulvar area.

“Current treatment recommendations for sexual pain, and dyspareunia should be specific if a cause is identified.

Treatments should be individualised, and a multimodal treatment approach to address all aspects of pain is recommended. Dyspareunia treatment plans should start with conservative medical non-invasive approaches.

“This may involve a team approach with gynecology, physical therapy, pain management, sexual therapy, and mental health professionals who specialise in chronic pain.”