Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you experience painful intercourse, you may feel:

  • Pain only at sexual penetration (entry)
  • Pain with every penetration, even while putting in a tampon
  • Pain with certain partners or just under certain circumstances
  • New pain after previously pain-free intercourse
  • Deep pain during thrusting, which is often described as "something being bumped"
  • Burning pain or aching pain

When to see a doctor
If you are experiencing painful intercourse, talk to your doctor. Treating the problem can help your sex life, your emotional intimacy and your self-image.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Biggs WS. Sexual pain disorders. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-4/0/1481/0.html#. Accessed Nov. 18, 2011.
  2. Lenz G. Emotional Aspects of Gynecology: Sexual function and dysfunction. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1524/0.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2011.
  3. Kurss DI, et al. Dyspareunia. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..C2009-0-38601-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&uniqId=291436269-101. Accessed Nov. 18, 2011.
  4. Moore CK. Female sexual function and dysfunction: Diagnosis. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1445/0.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2011.
  5. Stewart EG. Causes and treatment of sexual pain in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2011.
  6. Stewart EG. Approach to the woman with sexual pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2011.
  7. Ask Mayo Expert. What are the treatment options for managing vaginal symptoms of urogenital atrophy in women with a history of breast cancer? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2011.
  8. Bachmann G, et al. Treatment of vaginal atrophy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2011.
DS01044 Jan. 25, 2012

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