How to Deal with Painful Sex

Painful sex is generally a women’s issue since, let’s be honest, there’s just more involved that can get hurt. The male sex organ is a lot less complicated than the female’s and thus there are fewer complications that can lead to pain. (Not to say that men don’t come with their own whole slew of sexual problems…)

There are two different categories of pain for a woman during sex: vaginismus and dyspareunia.

Vaginismus: What is it?

Vaginismus occurs when a woman has involuntary spasms in her vagina that cause pain either during entry or during sexual thrusting. The cause for vaginismus is generally psychological-for some reason the woman holds back and unintentionally clenches her vagina. Usually the cause is guilt-she’s having premarital sex and is morally against it or perhaps she is having an affair and the vaginismus only occurs with certain partners and not others.

Vaginismus: What to do?

Relax, relax, relax! Try some rhythmic breathing before and during sex or examine your priorities to establish why you may be holding back. Sex therapy or discussing your problem with a sexual partner or a good friend can also help relieve the tension which causes vaginismus.

Dyspareunia: What is it?

Dyspareunia is the more common type of pain associated with sexual intercourse and is caused by superficial pain either at the entry of the vagina or deep in the pelvis. Some possible causes for this could be a tight vagina, a large penis, painful scar tissue, post-partum healing, or other physical wounds in and around the vagina. A deeper pain could be a symptom of chlamydia.

Dyspareunia: What to do?

Women experiencing dyspareunia need to seek medical attention to make sure that there are no STI or no physical damage that needs attention. A less severe case may just need some lube to ease entry and reduce friction which could be the source of pain.

How to Deal with Painful Sex

Painful sex is generally a women’s issue since, let’s be honest, there’s just more involved that can get hurt. The male sex organ is a lot less complicated than the female’s and thus there are fewer complications that can lead to pain. (Not to say that men don’t come with their own whole slew of sexual problems…)

There are two different categories of pain for a woman during sex: vaginismus and dyspareunia.

Vaginismus: What is it?

Vaginismus occurs when a woman has involuntary spasms in her vagina that cause pain either during entry or during sexual thrusting. The cause for vaginismus is generally psychological-for some reason the woman holds back and unintentionally clenches her vagina. Usually the cause is guilt-she’s having premarital sex and is morally against it or perhaps she is having an affair and the vaginismus only occurs with certain partners and not others.

Vaginismus: What to do?

Relax, relax, relax! Try some rhythmic breathing before and during sex or examine your priorities to establish why you may be holding back. Sex therapy or discussing your problem with a sexual partner or a good friend can also help relieve the tension which causes vaginismus.

Dyspareunia: What is it?

Dyspareunia is the more common type of pain associated with sexual intercourse and is caused by superficial pain either at the entry of the vagina or deep in the pelvis. Some possible causes for this could be a tight vagina, a large penis, painful scar tissue, post-partum healing, or other physical wounds in and around the vagina. A deeper pain could be a symptom of chlamydia.

Dyspareunia: What to do?

Women experiencing dyspareunia need to seek medical attention to make sure that there are no STI or no physical damage that needs attention. A less severe case may just need some lube to ease entry and reduce friction which could be the source of pain.