Female Sex Pain & Penetration Concerns

Although not everyone wants, needs, or enjoys penetrative sex, for many people it is something they would genuinely like to do but find themselves unable to experience due to pain.

The primary conditions associated with female pain and penetration difficulties are vulvodynia, dyspareunia and vaginismus:

• Vulvodynia is a persistent, unexplained pain in the vulva (the external genital area, including the skin surrounding the opening of the vagina).
• Dyspareunia is the medical term used to describe experiencing pain during penetrative sex.
• Vaginismus involves an involuntary spasm of the pelvic floor muscles, which causes the vagina to close tightly, making penetration painful or entirely impossible.

Finding the Cause: Physical & Medical Checks

If you are experiencing sex pain or difficulties with penetration, it is incredibly important to visit your GP first. This allows you to check for any underlying organic or physical causes that might need direct medical treatment.

Physical causes can stem from quite a wide range of factors, including:

• Skin conditions affecting the area, such as lichen sclerosus, eczema or psoriasis.
• General health conditions like diabetes, thyroid issues, lower urinary tract symptoms or an overactive bladder.
• Significant life events that change the body, such as pregnancy, childbirth and the menopause.

Medical treatments vary depending on what is causing the discomfort. Skin conditions are often managed with prescription steroid creams, and sometimes anaesthetic, numbing creams are recommended. Specialist pelvic floor physiotherapy can also be tremendously helpful for releasing tension and reducing pain upon penetration. In cases of vaginismus, both specialist pelvic floor physiotherapists and sex therapists often safely guide individuals through a gradual vaginal dilation programme.

How Sex Therapy Can Support You

Because the body and mind are so closely linked, experiencing physical pain often triggers a cycle of anxiety, causing muscles to tighten further in anticipation of discomfort. There are many psychological factors that can cause or contribute to penetration difficulties, including:

• The long-term impact of past trauma.
• Deeply held fears, anxieties, or phobias around intimacy and sex.
• Underlying relationship difficulties or communication breakdowns.
• A lack of comprehensive sex education and knowledge about your body.
• Anxiety rooted in religious or cultural beliefs.
• The stress and immense pressure of trying to conceive a baby.

Our professional network therapists will carry out a thorough, gentle assessment to understand the unique psychological elements contributing to your discomfort. Through a supportive series of cognitive and behavioural processes, they will work alongside you to help break the cycle of pain, manage anxiety and assist you in safely establishing the sexual activities you wish to enjoy.