Dyspareunia Causes
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Causes of Dyspareunia
Women
The cause is believed to be physical factors at least 75%-80% of the time.
Some pain occurs first at entry but decreases over time. This is often caused by not having enough lubrication due to a lack of sexual arousal and stimulation. It can also be due to some medicines. Antihistamines can cause dryness. Frequent douching can cause problems, as well.
Other causes in women include:
- Postpartum period after childbirth
- Vaginal infections (eg, Vaginal Yeast Infection )
- Postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis-irritation of the vaginal mucosa due to lack of estrogen
- Endometriosis
- Genital Herpes or Genital Warts
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease -serious infection of the female reproductive organs
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Problems affecting the pelvic bones
- Retroversion (abnormal orientation) of the uterus
- Chronic Constipation
Psychological factors are not often involved, but may be associated with:
- Previous sexual trauma (rape or abuse)
- Feelings of guilt
- Negative attitudes toward sex
These factors may lead to a condition called Vaginismus. This is painful and involuntary contractions of vaginal muscles. It is usually a response to past sexual trauma or other painful circumstances.
Men
The most common causes of pain in men are:
- Prostatitis -inflammation of the prostate
- Urethritis -inflammation of the urethra
Pain occurs at the time of ejaculation.
Pain that occurs while obtaining an erection may be associated with:
- Inflammation of the foreskin
- Loss of elasticity of the foreskin
- Trauma to the penis
- Genital Herpes or Genital Warts
- Local allergies or irritations
- Curvature of the penis caused by Peyronie's disease
