Q/ Hello doctor,
I recently got married, but have issues during sexual intercourse. I feel a lot of pain due to friction because I get dry quickly. I was told to drink a lot of water, but it is not helping. What do I do? Naira
A/ Hello Naira,
Painful intercourse is medically known as ‘dyspareunia’.
It occurs for the reasons that range from structural problems to psychological concerns. These may include the following:
Entry pain
l Pain during penetration might be associated with a range of factors, including:
l Not enough lubrication. This is often the result of not enough foreplay. A drop in estrogen levels after menopause or childbirth or during breast-feeding.
l Certain medications are known to affect sexual desire or arousal, which can decrease lubrication and make sex painful. Like antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, sedatives, antihistamines and certain birth control pills.
l Injury, trauma or irritation. This includes injury or irritation from an accident, pelvic surgery, female circumcision or a cut made during childbirth to enlarge the birth canal (episiotomy).
l Inflammation, infection or skin disorder. An infection in your genital area or urinary tract can cause painful intercourse. Eczema or other skin problems in your genital area also can be the problem.
l Vaginismus. These involuntary spasms of the muscles of the vaginal wall can make penetration painful.
l Congenital abnormality. A problem present at birth, such as the absence of a fully formed vagina (vaginal agenesis) or development of a membrane that blocks the vaginal opening (imperforate hymen), could cause dyspareunia.
Deep pain
Deep pain usually occurs with deep penetration. It might be worse in certain positions. Causes include:
l Certain illnesses and conditions. The list includes endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine prolapse, retroverted uterus, uterine fibroids, cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, adenomyosis, haemorrhoids and ovarian cysts.
l Surgeries or medical treatments. Scarring from pelvic surgery, including hysterectomy, can cause painful intercourse.
Seek urgent medical help please.
Answered by
Dr Joseph Kafuma
