Why You Should Never Ignore Pain during Sex

Millions of women suffer through painful sexual experiences because they’re embarrassed to talk about it or think it’s normal. But sex should be an enjoyable aspect of a healthy adult life, and if that doesn’t describe your intimate encounters, there are things you can — and should — do about it.

At Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey, Dr. Khashayar Shakiba helps women throughout Hackensack and beyond understand what’s causing painful intercourse, and more importantly, how to resolve it so they can lead happier, fuller lives. 

What sex should feel like — and what it shouldn’t

The human body was designed for sex. Primarily, it’s how we procreate and keep the species going. But that doesn’t mean that the pleasure aspect is any less important. Healthy sexual experiences are good for your body and your mind.

If this is news to you, you may be suffering from a medical condition. Here’s what sex should NOT feel like:

• Pain when anything is inserted in your vagina (finger, tampon, penis)
• Pain only upon entry
• Pain when deep thrusting is involved
• Burning sensations 
• Throbbing or aching even hours after intercourse

The medical term for painful sex is dsypareunia, and it can include any one of these symptoms or a combination of them. 

Reasons sex may be painful for you

From psychological reasons to physical conditions, dyspareunia stems from many sources. Some conditions such as vaginal dryness are simple to address, which is why we encourage you to come see us if you’re experiencing discomfort. Other conditions are more serious but still highly treatable. Here are some of the main causes of dyspareunia:

• Hormone imbalance 
• Vaginal atrophy
• Infection
• Injury or trauma
• Muscle spasms (vaginismus)
• Birth defect
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Uterine prolapse
• Uterine fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Endometriosis
• Cystitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome 

Some cases of dyspareunia are even caused by psychological factors, such as a history of sexual abuse, stress or fear of pain, or relationship issues between you and your partner.

How you can have pain-free sex

At Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey, we specialize in painful pelvic issues, and what our experience tells us is that your painful sex is a sign that something else is wrong. That’s why we focus on getting to the bottom of your symptoms and resolve that issue, so you can get on with your life.

If your condition is related to a hormone imbalance, we can restore proper levels with replacement therapies. 

If you’re suffering from vaginal atrophy, meaning the walls of your vagina have become lax and loose, we offer MonaLisa Touch®, an in-office, nonsurgical procedure that tightens the tissues by restoring your body’s production of collagen and elastin, and stimulating the vascularization in the region. 

If the pain stems from an infection, the answer may be as simple as taking an antibiotic.

The bottom line is that sex shouldn’t be painful, and if it is for you, then we want you to know that we’re here for you. Call us today at 201-301-2772 or request an appointment online. Better sex could be easier than you think.