Understanding why painful intercourse happens and how we’re here to help
Painful sex can be confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming. Many women with this condition feel alone, struggling in silence. However, pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) affects many women, so it’s important to know that if you’re experiencing this yourself, you are not alone.
While it’s best to consult with a gynecologist to ensure no serious underlying causes, most women can benefit from physical therapy for painful sex. There are various treatments for painful sex, such as pelvic floor therapy. This effective method targets the pelvic muscles that likely contribute to pain.
If you’ve been experiencing painful intercourse, know that you can move past this condition. Our physical therapists at Beyond Therapy and Wellness in Bedford, TX are experienced musculoskeletal experts who know how to improve the pain and guide you toward a fulfilling and satisfying sex life.
To get started on your healing journey, contact us today!
What causes painful intercourse to happen?
- Injury or trauma to the area: This can result from an accident, a change made during birth, pelvic surgery, and other forms of trauma.
- Inflammation or infection: An infection in your genital area, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), can cause painful sex. Many women are confronted with inflammation or infection without knowing it, which is why it’s essential to rule out other underlying causes before receiving treatment.
- Vaginismus: Vaginismus is an extremely common condition that involves involuntary muscle spasms of the vaginal wall. This can make penetration, in particular painful.
- Illnesses and conditions in the pelvic area: Other common cause of painful sex includes conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and more. Medical intervention is usually required to treat these problems, although physical therapy can help you manage symptoms and ease discomfort in the long run.
- Surgeries or medical treatments: Scarring from surgeries in the pelvic area, such as a hysterectomy, can cause painful intercourse. Other medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, can disrupt normal sexual functions.
Common symptoms
- Pain with penetration
- Deep, throbbing pain during thrusting
- Burning pain
- Pain or aching that persists for hours after intercourse
Women may experience one or multiple of these symptoms. It’s important to share all symptoms you’ve been experiencing with your physical therapist, as they can develop a treatment plan that is best suited to your condition.
Women struggling with painful intercourse should also consider the possibility of emotional factors, which in some cases, influence sexual function.
Why physical therapy is a solution
After understanding why you’re experiencing painful sex and addressing your specific symptoms, your physical therapist can provide powerful healing strategies to alleviate pain and improve your pelvic floor’s functions. Our team at Beyond Therapy and Wellness in Bedford, TX is compassionate about sensitive topics such as painful intercourse, which is why we treat patients in private rooms, providing individual care.
Treatments
- Massage: Therapeutic massage can help target deep pain and relieve tension and stress that has built up over time
- Stretching: Symptoms can be reduced by easing and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles.
- Trigger point therapy: a pain management technique that involves the insertion of a hair-thin needle into your muscle’s trigger point.
- Myofascial release: a manual (hands-on) technique that focuses on pain in the myofascial tissues (durable membranes that connect and support your muscles)
- Joint and scar tissue manipulation: Loosens adhesions and allows for greater mobility and less pain.
Your physical therapist will begin with a comprehensive assessment, where you will discuss your medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. They will then outline a treatment plan that includes the exercises and techniques mentioned above. Your PT may provide some exercises that you can do at home to maintain and advance treatment.
Request an appointment today!
Ready to say goodbye to painful sex? Our highly experienced team is here to support you while you navigate the healing process. Your therapist will help you thrive in treatment by providing successful strategies and exercises to get your pelvic floor functioning as it should. We’re dedicated to empowering and assisting women through their individualized journeys.
Call us at Beyond Therapy and Wellness in Bedford, TX, to set up an appointment today!
