Painful Sex

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Painful sex or dyspareunia can be extremely distressing for an individual and for a relationship. There can be physical causes for the pain such as illness, surgery, skin infections and lack of lubrication, but it can also be due to psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, issues within a relationship or trauma.

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Sometimes the pain can be more specifically an issue called Vaginismus. This is when there is an involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles which can cause a burning feeling, stinging like pain, or a dull pain when penetrative sex is attempted. Sometimes pain can occur at the thought of having sex or through the muscles themselves spasming. The most effective treatment for vaginismus is a combination of physical therapy and counselling.