Painful intercourse

It's probably true to say that most women will suffer from some discomfort during intercourse at some stage in their life. For most, this will be temporary and for a specific reason. But for some it can become a regular feature of their sex life.

Check with your GP
If you've been suffering from painful intercourse for a while, it's essential that you check with your GP that you're not suffering from an underlying condition.

Sexual arousal
There are a number of physical causes for painful intercourse but in the majority of cases, it is caused by lack of sexual arousal. Many women find that they get caught in a vicious cycle. The pain that they feel, or the fear of pain stops them from becoming sexually aroused. And the lack of arousal, causes the sexual pain. And so it continues.

When a women's body is ready for sex, the vagina expands length ways and width ways. The top of the vagina balloons out to create an area for the cervix to move into. While all this is happening, your vagina is becoming moist and lubricated to avoid any friction. Remember - the vagina was not designed to be penetrated in it's unaroused state.

Tips for Increasing Arousal

Check your environment - your head and heart need to be in the mood for sex as well as well as your body. If you're unhappy about something in your relationship then sort it out before you get into bed.
Relax - this is the most important, but often the hardest thing you need to do. You could try a relaxing bath, using breathing techniques or a relaxation tape from your local health store or bookshop.
Enjoy being sensual before you're sexual. Take time together to fully focus on and enjoy the pleasurable sensations of touch before you move on to sexual touching.
Try using fantasy - if your mind is full of work or other distractions, trying getting yourself more in the mood by fantasising about your favourite sexual encounter.
Stimulate your sympathetic nervous system - exercise, watch a scary movie, go on a roller coaster anything that will speed up your heart rate. Research suggests that between 15-30 minutes later your body is more sexually responsive
Lubricate - have a tube of lube by the bed. It's hard to stimulate a dry clitoris - use some lube to speed up the process

If you're sure that you are fully aroused, then the problem may be physical. It's essential that you have this confirmed by a GP, but the following gives you an idea of some of the most common complaints.

Common Physical Complaints

Childbirth - it's arguable whether it's a complaint, but it's certainly a common cause of discomfort during intercourse - particularly if there was an episiotomy.
Menopause - during menopause the vagina can become dry and easily irritated. Lowered oestrogen levels cause the vaginal wall to thin, but this may be easily treated with an Oestrogen cream prescribed by your GP.
Infections and Irritations - there are a number of common, and less common, conditions that affect the vulval and/or vaginal area causing discomfort. These include cystitis, thrush, vaginitis, vestibulitis, vulvodynia, genital warts and lichen sclerosus. Once the underlying condition has been diagnosed, a course of treatment can cure or provide symptom relief.
Tilted Uterus - this is a natural and fairly common condition where the uterus tilts towards the back of the pelvis. Trying intercourse in a different position may help significantly.
Gynaecological Disorders - common disorders that may cause painful intercourse include endometriosis, prolapse, ovarian cysts, fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease.