Painful Sex
The most common reasons for painful sex include:
Infections
Vaginal infections, including yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, can cause inflammation, sensitivity, and pain of the vaginal tissues. , which is exacerbated by sexual activity. Infections can be treated with medications prescribed by your doctor.
Skin Conditions
Certain skin conditions that impact the vaginal tissues may cause painful sex. The conditions may include contact dermatitis, lichen sclerosis, and eczema. Just like infections, these skin conditions can be treated by your doctor for relief from painful sex.
Lack of Sexual Arousal
A lack of sexual arousal prevents the production of natural lubrication, which can cause painful sex. Emotional factors like stress and anxiety and reduced friction during sex caused by loose or stretched vaginal tissues can lead to low sexual arousal.
After childbirth or as a result of aging, many women experienced loose vaginal tissues and, as a result, a lack of sexual arousal. Vaginal rejuvenation can tighten the vaginal tissues to enhance friction during sex and boost arousal for both partners. At the Visionary Centre for Women, we offer both surgical and non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation.
Menopause
Menopause causes the vaginal walls to thin out and become drier. With less natural lubrication and thinner vaginal walls, intercourse can cause more trauma to the vaginal tissues. Many women find the sex is more painful after menopause.
The natural drop in estrogen that occurs with menopause can lead to painful sex. Bio-identical hormone therapy can help many women overcome this issue by balancing out hormone levels. This treatment can offset the symptoms of menopause so that women can continue to enjoy sex at an older age.
To learn about your options for improving sexual arousal, schedule an appointment with Dr. Hayes at the Visionary Centre for Women.
