How to Deal With Pain During Sex
How to Deal with Pain During Sex?
Experiencing discomfort or pain during intimacy is actually more common than you may think. The medical term for pain during intercourse is dyspareunia, and it can affect women at different stages of life, from postpartum recovery to perimenopause and beyond. While some may feel embarrassed or uncertain about seeking help, it is important to know that you are not alone and that solutions exist.
At Maud Medical Clinic we believe women deserve intimacy that feels comfortable, empowering, and joyful.
There are many potential causes of pain during sex, and identifying the root issue is key to finding relief. For some women, the discomfort is physical, often linked to conditions such as pelvic floor dysfunction, where the muscles are either too tight or too weak, leading to pain with penetration or specific positions. Hormonal changes, including those that occur after childbirth, during breastfeeding, or throughout perimenopause and menopause, can cause thinning of vaginal tissues and reduced natural lubrication, both of which contribute to discomfort. Chronic conditions such as endometriosis, vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, recurrent infections, or scar tissue from surgery or childbirth may also be a factor.
In other cases, emotional or psychological factors can be significant contributors. Stress, anxiety, or even possibly unresolved trauma may cause pelvic floor muscles to tense up, preventing relaxation and potentially amplifying discomfort. Over time, this can create a habit cycle where the fear or anticipation of pain causes involuntary tensing and tightening of the muscles, even after the initial physical issue has improved. Because physical and emotional aspects so often overlap, a holistic approach is the most effective way forward. By addressing both the body and the mind, with pelvic floor physiotherapy, lifestyle support, and emotional care women can move beyond pain and toward a safe and fulfilling intimate life.
Here is a short video reviewing Dyspareunia:
Common Causes of Pain During Sex
• Pelvic floor muscle tension or weakness: Overactive pelvic floor muscles may create pain with penetration, while weak muscles may lead to instability and discomfort.
• Hormonal changes: Lower estrogen levels during perimenopause, menopause, or after childbirth can cause thinning and dryness of vaginal tissues.
• Vaginismus: Involuntary tightening of vaginal muscles, which can make penetration painful or impossible.
• Vulvodynia or vestibulodynia: Chronic vulvar pain, often described as burning or stinging, triggered by pressure or touch.
• Infections and irritation: Recurrent urinary tract infections, yeast infections, or even reactions to products like soaps and lubricants.
• Psychological contributors: Stress, anxiety, or past trauma can all lead to increased tension and discomfort during intimacy.
Because the causes vary widely, it is essential to seek support from your doctor or physician who can conduct a thorough assessment.
What You Can Do About It
While professional guidance is important, there are also strategies you can begin exploring to support your body and reduce discomfort.
• See a pelvic floor physiotherapist: Targeted pelvic floor therapy can either relax or strengthen your muscles as needed.
• Practice deep breathing and relaxation: Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, yoga, or mindfulness can calm your nervous system and reduce pelvic tension.
• Try gentle external techniques: Pelvic massage, manual therapy, or guided use of vaginal dilators can improve flexibility and reduce pain.
• Communicate with your partner: Honest, open conversations about what feels comfortable and what doesn’t can build trust, reduce anxiety, and increase pleasure.
• Consult a healthcare provider: A physician can identify and address underlying issues such as hormonal imbalances, vaginismus, or vulvodynia, and may recommend treatments such as hormone therapy, medications, or specialized physiotherapy.
Medical Support at Maud Medical Clinic
Maud Medical Clinic uses a multidisciplinary holistic approach to your care. Your care team may include doctors and physicians who can diagnose and treat medical conditions, pelvic floor physiotherapists who use evidence-based techniques to restore balance to your pelvic muscles, nutrition experts who can ensure your diet supports hormone health and tissue repair, and mental health professionals or sex therapists who provide support with the emotional and psychological side of intimacy. By combining these different perspectives, we empower you to heal from all angles.
The Role of Physical Health
Your physical health directly impacts your sexual health. Taking steps to support your body as a whole can improve comfort and enjoyment in intimacy. Staying active through gentle exercises such as pelvic floor physio, yoga or walking boosts circulation and reduces muscle tension. Strengthening your core and pelvic floor through exercises like squats, bridges, and pelvic tilts can improve stability and function.
Nourishing your body with a balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and whole foods helps maintain hormonal balance and healthy tissues. Staying hydrated is equally important for tissue health and natural lubrication. Managing stress through practices such as mindfulness, journaling, or massage can ease pelvic tension and improve libido. Finally, prioritizing sleep allows your body to repair, balance hormones, and recharge energy for intimacy.
When to Seek Professional Help:
If pain during sex continues, worsens, or begins to impact your emotional well-being and relationships, it is time to reach out for medical support.
At Maud Medical Clinic, our team understands that sexual health is an important part of overall health. You will be listened to without judgment and offered personalized care. With support from physicians, pelvic floor physiotherapists, and other specialists, you can explore solutions that fit best with your needs.
Pain during sex is not something you have to live with or “just get used to.” It is a sign that your body needs attention and care. Whether the cause is physical, emotional, or both, there are effective treatments and strategies that can restore intimacy and joy.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy at Maud Medical Clinic in Calgary delivers compassionate, comprehensive care designed to empower people with a wide range of pelvic health concerns. Our physiotherapists and physicians specialize in treatments for prenatal and postnatal recovery, pain during sex, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pessary fitting, scar tissue care, and diastasis recti. Our trauma-informed and inclusive approach ensures everyone receives personalized assessment, exercise and manual therapy, and education to restore strength, comfort, and confidence in their body. Whether preparing for birth or recovering afterward, Maud Medical Clinic supports your pelvic health with professional expertise and a caring community
References:
Mayo Clinic. “Dyspareunia: Painful Intercourse.”
National Vulvodynia Association. “What is Vulvodynia?”
North American Menopause Society. “Vaginal and Vulvar Atrophy.”
