What is Dyspareunia Pain?
Dyspareunia is a painful condition that occurs during or after sexual intercourse. This pain is felt in the genital area and can make intercourse difficult or even impossible. Dyspareunia can occur as vaginal pain, burning, stinging or stinging during intercourse. The pain can increase when trying to change positions during intercourse or during penetration (entering the vagina).
What are the Symptoms of Dyspareunia?
- A burning sensation in the vaginal area during or after intercourse
- Pain or discomfort
- Severe pain during deep penetration
- Bleeding during intercourse
- Tenderness or pain in the vaginal area after intercourse
- Behaviors that do not want or avoid sexual intercourse
Dyspareunia pain can occur in women of all ages and can occur throughout their sexual intercourse experiences. These symptoms can be caused by many different factors and can be relieved with appropriate treatment. However, if symptoms persist, it is important to consult a healthcare professional.
Potential Causes of Dyspareunia Pain
Vaginal Dryness: If the vagina is not moist enough during intercourse, it can increase friction and cause pain. This condition can usually be caused by factors such as hormonal changes, menopause or breastfeeding.
Vaginal Infections: Vaginal infections such as fungal infections or bacterial infections can cause pain during intercourse. Infections can cause irritation and sensitivity in the vaginal area.
Vaginal Anomalies or Structural Problems: Congenital vaginal anomalies or structural problems that occur after surgical interventions such as excessive and incorrect vaginal tightening can cause pain during intercourse. For example, structural disorders such as vaginal septum or scar tissue can cause pain during penetration.
Psychological Factors: Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, depression or past sexual trauma can cause the vaginal muscles to contract and cause pain during intercourse. This condition can be associated with conditions such as vaginismus or irritable vagina syndrome.
Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, especially during menopause, can cause vaginal tissue to thin and dry out. This can contribute to pain during intercourse.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Spasms: Spasms or contractions of the pelvic floor muscles can cause pain during intercourse. This can make vaginal penetration difficult and cause pain.
Endometriosis or Uterine Fibroids: Pelvic problems such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids can cause pain during intercourse because these conditions can cause inflammation and tenderness in the pelvic area.
Depending on the symptoms and severity of dyspareunia pain, it is important to determine the underlying cause and start appropriate treatment. Therefore, it is recommended that anyone experiencing symptoms see a healthcare professional.
Treatment and Transition Methods for Dyspareunia Pain
Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubricants: Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants can be used to relieve pain caused by vaginal dryness. These products can reduce pain by reducing friction and moisturizing vaginal tissues during sexual intercourse.
Vaginal energy-based devices and fillers: Both hormonal changes such as menopause and vaginal dryness due to age and the patient’s collagen structure can also cause dyspareunia. In this case, energy-based devices such as laser, radiofrequency and HIFU can be used today to increase the elasticity of the vaginal tissue, the amount of collagen, and to increase water retention and moisture in patients who cannot or do not want to use hormonal treatment. In addition, filling materials such as hyaluronic acid, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), fat fillers (nanofate, microfat, stromal vascular fraction-SVF) are frequently preferred today due to their effects of increasing water retention and neovascularization.
Vaginal Physiotherapy and Exercises: Vaginal physiotherapy and pelvic floor exercises can be beneficial to strengthen and relax the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises can help relax the pelvic muscles and reduce pain during intercourse. In addition, learning how to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles correctly also helps the patient.
Psychological Support and Counseling: Dyspareunia pain is often associated with psychological factors. Problems such as stress, anxiety, depression or past sexual traumas can increase pain. Therefore, psychological support and counseling can reduce pain by addressing anxiety and fears related to sexual intercourse.
Vaginal Rehabilitation and Relaxation Techniques: Vaginal rehabilitation techniques can be used to soften and stretch the vaginal tissues. These techniques can reduce pain during intercourse by reducing vaginal tension and stretching the tissues.
Hormonal Treatment: Vaginal dryness caused by hormonal changes such as menopause can be treated with hormonal treatment in appropriate patients. Hormonal therapy can be used to moisturize and stretch vaginal tissues.
Sex Therapy: Sex therapy can increase communication between couples and promote relaxation during intercourse. Sex therapy can reduce pain by addressing anxieties and fears associated with intercourse.
Surgical Intervention: Rarely, vaginal structural problems or abnormalities may require surgical intervention. For example, structural abnormalities such as a vaginal septum or scar tissue may require surgical correction. Additionally, dyspareunia due to poor episiotomy scarring or excessive or incorrect vaginal tightening may require re-surgery.
Treatment for dyspareunia pain can vary depending on the underlying cause. There are a wide range of treatment options, including surgery, hormonal, energy-based devices, and mesotherapy. It is important for anyone experiencing symptoms to consult a healthcare professional and receive appropriate treatment.
Vaginismus and Dyspareunia Relationship and Differences
What is Vaginismus?
Vaginismus is a condition in which the muscles around the vagina contract involuntarily during vaginal penetration, making penetration impossible or very painful. This condition can prevent sexual intercourse or vaginal examination and cause the person to avoid sexual activities. Vaginismus is usually caused by psychological factors and is often associated with anxiety, fear, or past sexual traumas.
What is Dyspareunia?
Dyspareunia is a painful condition that occurs during or after sexual intercourse. This pain is felt in the genital area and can make intercourse difficult or even impossible. Dyspareunia can occur in the form of vaginal pain, burning, stinging, or tingling, and can be caused by a variety of reasons.
Relationship and Differences:
Muscle Contractions: Vaginismus is characterized by involuntary contractions of the vaginal muscles, which prevents penetration or makes it very painful. Dyspareunia is usually a pain caused by sensitivity of the vaginal tissues or other causes, but is not associated with muscle contractions.
Psychological Factors: Vaginismus is often associated with psychological factors and is often associated with anxiety, fear, or past sexual trauma. Dyspareunia can be caused by a variety of reasons, but psychological factors can be effective.
Treatment Approaches: Vaginismus is usually managed with treatments such as psychotherapy, pelvic floor exercises, and relaxation techniques. In addition, botox application is also included in the treatment of vaginismus in the literature. Dyspareunia may require different treatment methods depending on the underlying cause. For example, dyspareunia caused by vaginal dryness can be treated with mesotherapy applications such as vaginal hyaluronic acid, PRP, fat filling, or hormonal therapy.
Vaginismus and dyspareunia can both cause pain during intercourse, but the underlying causes and treatment approaches may differ. In both cases, it is important for people with symptoms to consult a healthcare professional.
Irritable Vagina Syndrome (Vulvadynia) Symptoms and Treatment Methods
What is Irritable Vagina Syndrome? Irritable Vagina Syndrome (Vulvodynia) is a condition characterized by persistent or recurring vaginal pain or discomfort around the entrance to the vagina. This pain may increase during sexual intercourse or when pressure is applied to the external genitalia. Irritable Vagina Syndrome can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life and may cause her to avoid sexual activities.
Symptoms:
- Constant or recurring pain or discomfort around the entrance to the vagina
- Increased pain during or after sexual intercourse
- A burning, stinging, or sharp pain in the vaginal area
- Increased discomfort when sitting or standing for long periods
- Tenderness or itching in the vaginal area
- A burning sensation during urination or during sexual intercourse
Treatment Methods:
Topical Treatments: Topical treatments can be used to manage Irritable Vagina Syndrome. These treatments may include local anesthetic creams, corticosteroid creams, or hormonal creams and gels. In addition, energy-based devices such as laser, radiofrequency and hyaluronic acid, PRP, nanofat and SVF have an important place in the treatment of vulvadynia today. Studies showing good results for these applications are increasing day by day in the literature. These applications can relieve pain by relaxing the vaginal tissues.
Physiotherapy and Pelvic Floor Exercises: Pelvic floor exercises can be used to strengthen and relax the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises can reduce pain by relaxing the vaginal muscles and increasing blood flow.
Psychological Support and Counseling: Irritable Vagina Syndrome is often associated with psychological factors such as stress, anxiety or depression. Psychological support and counseling can reduce pain by addressing these psychological factors and teaching stress management techniques.
Medical Treatments: In some cases, medical treatments may be required in the management of Irritable Vagina Syndrome. These treatments may include antidepressants, anticonvulsants or local anesthetics. These medications can act by reducing nerve impulses and controlling pain.
Alternative Treatments: Some people may choose to try alternative treatments. Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and hypnosis can reduce stress and relieve pain in the body.
Management of Irritable Vagina Syndrome varies depending on the severity of symptoms and the person’s overall health. It is important to consult with Assoc. Dr. Esra Özbaşlı to determine the appropriate treatment plan.
