Conditions we treat
PELVIC PAIN AND PAIN WITH INTERCOURSE
Many women of all ages and all stages of life experience pain with intercourse, also known as dyspareunia. This may also encompass vaginismus, vestibulodynia, vulvodynia or all of the above.
What is it?
Sex may not be as comfortable as it used to be, either gradually over time or post childbirth. This can range from mild discomfort to sharp burning or stinging sensation, or restriction during intercourse, feeling like there isn't enough space for vaginal penetration due to your pelvic floor muscles being contracted too tightly.
There is not always an obvious cause of painful intercourse. In some cases it can be a gradual onset from overactive pelvic floor muscles, a learned response of the nerves and muscles due to a painful experience with penetration or after an event such as childbirth while the muscles are recovering. It can also be triggered by medical conditions involving the reproductive organs such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or ovarian cysts, a vaginal infection or hormonal changes related to childbirth or menopause.
At Body and Birth, we have extensive experience treating and educating women about increased pelvic floor muscle tension, vaginismus, vestibulodynia, vulvodynia, endometriosis, adenomyosis, all of which can contribute to painful intercourse.
Through a variety of management strategies including pain education, management of pain triggers, pelvic floor muscle relaxation, breath work, pelvic stretches, desensitisation and sometimes the use of dilators and therawands, we can help you to get back to enjoying worry and pain-free sex and intimacy with your partner again.