Persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after intercourse.
Dyspareunia, or painful intercourse, is recurring pain in the genital area or within the pelvis during sexual intercourse. The pain can be sharp or intense. It can occur before, during, or after sexual intercourse.
If you have painful intercourse, you might feel:
Approximately 75% of women have painful intercourse at some time, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Dyspareunia is one of the most common problems of postmenopausal women.
The prognosis of this conditions depends on a variety of factors. Nevertheless, it is usually treatable.
Depending on the cause of the pain, the most suitable treatment option is selected. However, regardless of the cause of dyspareunia, cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment option for easing out the symptoms. It is important to do psychotherapy even when the cause of dyspareunia is a medical one as the pain often continues after medical intervention. Psychological treatment typically involves one or more of the following techniques: