How Can I Manage Painful Intercourse?

If you have an infection or a medical condition that contributes to painful intercourse, have you started treating your health problem?

If you are taking medications that may contribute to painful sex (e.g. some hormonal birth control pills, certain sedatives and cold and allergy medications), have you talked to your doctor about changing your therapy?

If you are a menopausal woman, have you talked to your doctor about using topical estrogen?

Have you tried changing your sexual routine like changing positions or prolonging foreplay?

Do you use personal water-based lubricants?

Do you communicate with your partner during sex about what feels good and what doesn't?

Have you tried desensitization therapy (vaginal relaxation exercises)?

Have you and your partner talked to a counselor or sex therapist about solving your problem?

Based on your answers, there are several other ways that can help you manage painful intercourse. Treatment options depend on the cause of the pain. If you have an infection or health condition that causes a painful intercourse, treating the underlying problem will eliminate your symptoms. Sometimes, certain types of medications such as hormonal birth control or sedatives can contribute to vaginal dryness, so in that case it would be good to talk to your doctor about changing your therapy. You can also make some changes in your sexual routine, such as a change of position and prolonged foreplay. Tell your partner what feels good and what doesn't.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about how to manage painful intercourse. It is not uncommon for menopausal women to experience a painful intercourse due to low estrogen levels that contribute to vaginal dryness. In such cases, the doctor will recommend topical estrogen that is applied directly to the vagina. You can also use personal water-based lubricants that will make sex more enjoyable. You can try desensitization therapy, which includes certain vaginal relaxation exercises that can help reduce pain. It is often helpful to talk to a counselor or sex therapist to improve communication with your partner and solve the problem.