What causes Pelvic Pain & Can it be treated?
Experiencing pain in the vulva or the vagina is more common than you might think. Pain can be a result of intercourse or even just when the area is touched or stimulated, and it can range from mild to severe.
Painful intercourse — persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after intercourse — may occur for a variety of reasons ranging from anatomical problems to hormonal issues, blood flow issues and sometimes even psychological concerns. It is not uncommon for women to experience pain during intercourse at some point in their lives, but treatments that focus on the underlying causes can help eliminate or reduce this common problem.
Treatments Include: Dilation Therapy, Treatment Under Anesthesia, Sex Therapy, Lubrication, Laser Therapy, Topical Creams, Medications, and more.
There can be a variety of causes for the pain you’re experiencing including:
- Insufficient Lubrication
- Tight Muscles (due to age, childbirth, disuse, or natural anatomy)
- Hormonal Issues
- Blood Flow Issues
- Psychological Concerns
- Too many nerve endings in the area
- Medications can dry out or irritate the mucosa in the vagina
Every person is unique. After a thorough examination, our team will help identify the source of your pain, provide you with a diagnosis, and then develop a treatment plan.
Not sure if we can help? Contact Us for a free phone consultation.
Helpful Resources
Types of Pelvic Pain:
VAGINISMUS
Women who suffer from vaginismus experience an involuntary tightness of the vagina during attempted intercourse, caused by contractions of the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina. Take our Vaginismus Quiz to check your symptoms and score.
There are numerous ways to treat vaginismus including:
- Vaginal Dilation
- Topical Medications
- Anti-Anxiety Medications
- Vaginismus Treatment Under Anesthesia
- Virtual Dilation Coaching for Vaginismus
VULVODYNIA AND VESTIBULODYNIA
Vulvodynia refers to any pain in the vulvar area when there is external pressure or attempted intercourse. Vestibulodynia is a subset of vulvodynia characterized by severe pain during attempted vaginal entry, tenderness to pressure localized to the vulvar vestibule, and often redness of the vulvar vestibule. It can almost always be treated by managing medications and topical products, treating any underlying muscles, and with low level cold laser therapy. Learn more about Vulvodynia and Vestibulodynia.
DYSPAREUNIA
Dyspareunia is a general term that physicians use to describe any pain in almost any area of the vagina or pelvic region. Oftentimes women who have vaginismus, vulvodynia or another medical condition are told that they have dyspareunia because a specific diagnosis has not yet been made. The symptoms should be analyzed and the specific reason or reasons for the pain must be identified in order to treat the condition. Learn More
PERI-MENOPAUSE PAIN
Menopause is a normal condition that all women experience as they age. One symptom that women can develop is painful sex due to dryness in the vagina. The pain experienced with intercourse may be burning, chafing or irritation because the mucosa in the vagina has gotten thin and irritated and tears easily. Treatments for post-menopausal pain include hormone creams and the MonaLisa Touch. Learn More
In A Patient's Own Words:
"I can’t say enough about Maze! It changed my life with my husband.
After breast cancer a double mastectomy, I had an oophorectomy and began taking anti-estrogen meds. I was experiencing severe dryness and very painful intercourse. I spoke with many doctors about my issues including my oncologist, my gynecologist and my general practitioner. Not one of the doctors had anything to offer me. They told me to use a couple of over the counter solutions which I tried with no relief.
I was close to giving up hope when a friend of mine told me about Maze. They helped me get my sex life back. They really listen and had all kinds of advice. I can’t say enough about how they helped me. I want to tell any woman out there who thinks they won’t ever be able to have comfortable sex again to go to Maze. It does require some work, but they help you through it and end up with real results!"
– M, Age 47
Read more patient testimonials about pelvic pain and painful sex.