Painful sex (dyspareunia): a difficult symptom in gynecological practice

Dyspareunia

“…Primary onset describes dyspareunia that begins with the first sexual experience. Primary onset causes include congenital abnormalities, psychosocial causes, sexual abuse in childhood, fear of intercourse, or painful first intercourse 1. Secondary onset is used to describe dyspareunia that begins after the woman has had previous pain-free sexual function.…”

“…Persistent symptoms appear with all partners under all conditions. Conditional symptoms occur only with certain partners, positions, or stimulation 1. Both physical and psychological factors could cause either persistent or conditional pain.…”

“…Location of dyspareunia can be classified as superficial (or insertional) or as deep. When the woman describes sharp, burning, or stinging pain at or near the vaginal introitus or vestibule on penetration, it is generally called superficial or insertional dyspareunia 1. The vulva and its surrounding structures are typically involved in superficial or insertional dyspareunia.…”

“…The vulva and its surrounding structures are typically involved in superficial or insertional dyspareunia. Deep dyspareunia is a term used to describe pain felt within the pelvis and associated with deep penetration within the vagina 1…”

“…Dyspareunia in women is described as recurrent pain, either in the genital area or pelvic area, associated with intercourse. Research conducted in the US indicates that between 7% and 58% of women suffer from dyspareunia 1. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the prevalence is even higher, with a rate of up to 75% of women experiencing painful intercourse during their lives 2.…”