Dyspareunia (/dɪspərˈuniə/dis-pər-OO-nee-ə) is painful sexual intercourse due to medical or psychological causes.[1] The term dyspareunia covers both female dyspareunia and male dyspareunia, but many discussions that use the term without further specification concern the female type, which is more common than the male type. In females, the pain can primarily be on the external surface of the genitalia, or deeper in the pelvis upon deep pressure against the cervix. Medically, dyspareunia is a pelvic floor dysfunction and is frequently underdiagnosed.[2] It can affect a small portion of the vulva or vagina or be felt all over the surface. Understanding the duration, location, and nature of the pain is important in identifying the causes of the pain.
Numerous physical, psychological, and social or relationship causes can contribute to pain during sexual encounters. Commonly, multiple underlying causes contribute to the pain. The pain can be acquired or congenital. Symptoms of dyspareunia may also occur after menopause. Diagnosis is typically by physical examination and medical history.
Underlying causes determine treatment. Many patients experience relief when physical causes are identified and treated.
In 2020, dyspareunia has been estimated to globally affect 35% of women at some point in their lives.[3]
JM, Vaughan CP, Goode PS, et al. Prevalence and trends of symptomatic pelvic floor disorders in US women. Obstet Gynecol. 2014;123(1):141–148.
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Basson R, Berman J, Burnett A, et al. Report of the international consensus development conference on female sexual dysfunction: definitions and clas-sifications. J Sex Marital Ther. 2001;27(2):83–94
Vegunta S, Kling JM, Faubion SS. Sexual health matters: management of female sexual dysfunction. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(9):952–954.
Latif EZ, Diamond MP. Arriving at the diagnosis of female sexual dysfunction. Fertil Steril. 2013;100(4):898–904.
Gorniak G, Conrad W. An anatomical and functional perspective of the pelvic floor and urogenital organ support system. J Womenʼs Health Phys Ther. 2015;39(2):65–82
Happel-Parkins A., Azim K.A., Moses A. "i just beared through it": Southern US christian women's experiences of chronic dyspareunia. J. Women's Health Phys. Ther.. 2020;44(2):72-86. doi:10.1097/JWH.0000000000000158
^Banaei, Mojdeh; Kariman, Nourossadat; Ozgoli, Giti; Nasiri, Maliheh; Ghasemi, Vida; Khiabani, Azam; Dashti, Sareh; Mohamadkhani Shahri, Leila (2020-12-27). "Prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia: A systematic review and meta-analysis". International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 153 (1): 14–24. doi:10.1002/ijgo.13523. ISSN 0020-7292. PMID 33300122. S2CID 228088155.
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Infibulation Breast binding Breast health Breast ironing Child marriage Dyspareunia Forced marriage Gynaecological disorders Vaginitis Leblouh Polygamy Sexual...
come as a side effect of surgical interventions such as prostatectomy. Dyspareunia, pain during sex Chiles, Kelly A. (January 19, 2017). "Musings on Male...
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Infibulation Breast binding Breast health Breast ironing Child marriage Dyspareunia Forced marriage Gynaecological disorders Vaginitis Leblouh Polygamy Sexual...
fibrous tissue. Vaginal stenosis can contribute to sexual dysfunction, dyspareunia and make pelvic exams difficult and painful. The lining of the vagina...
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