Female sexual problems are being openly discussed. Movies and television series are trying to shed more light on the once-suppressed topic. Women are becoming more aware of themselves and their sexuality. But it is difficult to break through something without the help of their male counterparts.

Sexuality includes one’s physical and psychological demands. If one is more inclined towards one-night stands, others might not be. Similarly, female sexual problems differ from individual to individual.

Before I tell you if your woman is experiencing problems while having sex, let us first go through the sexual response cycle.

Sexual Response Cycle

It is the same for men and women but may vary depending on the individual’s physical and physiological demands.

1. Sexual Desire or the Excitement Phase – During this phase, the involved individuals might experience an increase in heartbeat accompanied by erratic breathing.
2. Arousal or the Plateau Phase – During this phase, her vagina will secrete fluids which will wet the vulva and labia thus, acting as natural lubrication. Her nipples will be hard and erect.
3. Orgasm or the Climax – When she will reach her climax, the muscles present in her vagina will contract rhythmically providing her with sexual pleasure.
4. Resolution – The vagina will go back to its non-aroused state and she will feel happy. relaxed and sleepy.

Sexual Problems

The problems she is facing will correspond to the stage (or, phase) she is in. Pain experienced during sex is called dyspareunia. It has been adapted from the Greek word that means “badly mated”. Painful intercourse involves pain in the regions of vulva, labia, or vagina during or after sex. It may either be like a sharp object piercing through or a burning sensation that lasts.

Why does one experience pain during intercourse? 

Sexual intercourse is a spectrum in itself – one problem might not always have the same solution. Some of the generic causes have been listed below: –

1. A change in sexual behaviour
2. An increase in the frequency of sexually transmitted diseases
3. Menopausal women experience pain during intercourse due to the drying and thinning of their vaginal walls
4. Vulvodynia or chronic pain in the vulvar region.
5. Other causes may include infections, urinary tract infections, or skin problems

What are the symptoms of pain during intercourse?

Intromission (or, pain on entry) is the most common type of symptom of painful intercourse. The second type is experiencing ‘deep pain’. Other symptoms include muscular spasms and tightness, and pelvic cramps.

When to consult a specialist regarding her problem? 

Firstly, you should never wait if your partner is experiencing pain during sex. But if the pain worsens and is accompanied by bleeding, rectal pain, vomiting, or a new discharge then you shouldn’t wait and rush to a gynaecologist. Depending on the underlying cause, you can consult a urologist or psychologist.

Also Read: 10 Things No Guy Should Do While Having Sex

The health care specialist will only be able to detect the cause after a thorough check-up of the woman’s health care history. Medical history says that it can be due to inadequate lubrication, inflammation of the vulva or labia thus preventing entry, or muscle spasms and tightness. Her check-up will allow her to guide the doctor better to the source and history of her pain.

What did we learn today? Today, we learnt that pain during sex is common. But if the pain persists and is accompanied by bleeding and vomiting, then a health care professional needs to consulted as soon as possible.