It can be superficial which implies the pain is associated with penetration or it can be deep, which implies the pain occurs higher within the vagina or even in the lower abdomen. The important consideration is that painful intercourse is a significant symptom which can interfere with your quality of life, relationship and be associated with significant pain. Dyspareunia is the term used to describe pain during intercourse.
Part of the definition of dyspareunia is that the pain is persistent. An isolated single episode of pain with intercourse should not be included in the diagnosis of dyspareunia. The pain can be primary which implies that intercourse has always been painful or it can be secondary which indicates that the pain has developed after a period of time where intercourse has been painless.
The type of pain experienced with intercourse can vary enormously and varies with the site of the pain. Superficial dyspareunia which usually implies pain on penetration is often described as a sharp or burning pain. Pain that occurs higher in the vagina is often described as more of a contraction or acute pain. Pain that occurs in the lower abdomen can either be a sharp or throbbing pain or again, some women notice it as a contraction-like pain.
In particular, with deep dyspareunia, words such as aching or throbbing are often used to describe the feeling. Painful intercourse, especially associated with vaginismus or involuntary contractions of the muscles of the pelvis can occur for a variety of reasons.
These may include:. Dyspareunia is diagnosed primarily according to the symptoms described by the woman. It is always important to ask for the site of the pain, the nature of the pain and the history of the pain.
