Dyspareunia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Dyspareunia is a term used to describe pain in the sex organs that persists or recurs. This condition is related to sexual intercourse, namely when the penis enters the vagina.
Dyspareunia can be experienced by both men and women. However, women experience this complaint more often. The incidence of dyspareunia ranges from 8–22%. There are also studies that say that this complaint is experienced in 3–43% of the female population.
Reason
Dyspareunia can occur in both men and women. In men, the causes can vary. Starting from inflammation of the male reproductive organs, such as inflammation of the penis, inflammation of the scrotum or prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland). The use of certain anti-depressants can also cause pain in men when they reach orgasm.
Dyspareunia is more common in women. Pain can occur the first time you have sexual intercourse or the umpteenth time. The cause can be either physical or psychological factors.
Some of the causes of dyspareunia in women are:
- Female anatomy.
Several female anatomical conditions can cause complaints of pain during intercourse – such as the condition of the closed hymen, inflammation of the vulva, episiotomy, and clitoral attachments.
- Infection.
Infections in the vagina – for example, due to yeast, can cause complaints of pain during intercourse.
- Drug.
The use of several types of drugs can be related to vaginal lubrication, for example, decreased vaginal lubrication with long-term use of antihistamines. Long-term use of antibiotics also allows yeast infections to develop.
- Psychic.
Someone with a history of sexual trauma in the past has a 4–6 times greater risk of experiencing dyspareunia than those who do not have a history of this psychological trauma. In addition, feelings of anxiety, marital problems, guilt (conflict with family), and similar problems can also increase the risk of dyspareunia.
Symptom
Symptoms that are usually experienced by sufferers of dyspareunia are painful sensations associated with the intercourse. These complaints can occur when a person starts intercourse or is felt after a pain-free sensation during intercourse.
Complaints of painful intercourse can also be differentiated into complete pain, that is, in all episodes. But it can also only during intercourse in a certain way or with a certain partner.
Diagnosis
The doctor will collect medical information and a complete physical examination to find out the cause of dyspareunia. An interview about a history of sexual trauma or other psychological disorders is needed to find out the psychological risk factors that trigger complaints of sexual pain.
Usually, the doctor will also explore a number of questions, such as:
- Where is the abdominal pain located?
- Is the pain felt during the initial penetration or after
- Is pain felt every intercourse
- Is there a history of childbirth
- Is there a history of past sexual trauma
- Is there a history of consumption of certain drugs
A complete examination of the pelvic area can help determine the cause of dyspareunia as a physical or psychological problem. In addition, a sensory examination to detect the location of pain needs to be done. A sensory examination can be performed on all areas of the sex organs to determine the location of pain.
Treatment
Treatment for dyspareunia depends on the cause. If there is a cause of infection, then the administration of anti-fungal drugs such as fluconazole can be considered. Several medical therapy options that are usually given are the use of local anesthetics (eg topical lidocaine) or corticosteroid ointments.
To treat vaginal dryness, oral contraceptives containing low doses of estrogen and anti-cholinergic agents can be considered. Another therapy that can be tried is penetration desensitization. This is a therapy to practice by inserting one finger into the patient’s vagina, then two fingers or three fingers. This therapy is carried out while relaxing the lower organ muscles.
Prevention
Dyspareunia due to physical factors, among other things, can be prevented by maintaining the cleanliness and health of the sex organs to avoid the risk of infection.
Problems related to psychological and emotional conditions can be prevented by creating a supportive atmosphere of intercourse. In addition, couples who are in trouble are advised to foster good mutual communication.
Sexual health counseling and therapy can also be carried out with the help of experts as a third party to identify various risk factors for dyspareunia.