Sex hurts...anyone else have thise problem?

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For almost 2yrs sex has been very painful for me. I have seen a countless # of doctors, tried several different medications, and still don't have a solution or diagnosis. It's killing me. I try to have sex, and 2-4 mins into it I just want him to stop. It really effects my husband. My husband is one that needs sex/sexual attention. It has really put a toll on our marriage. I'm just wondering if there is anyone out there that has this issue and how are handling it/over came it? Any help would be nice.

 
By CK on Wed, 02-08-12, 12:35

There are so many conditions and causes of pain during intercourse, but bottom line it isn't normal, here are some reasons behind the pain:

A number of conditions may cause pain and / or discomfort during sexual intercourse. These conditions include:
Vaginal Infection

Certain vaginal infections, such as vaginal yeast infections and trichomoniasis, are often present without noticeable symptoms. However, during sexual intercourse, the rubbing motion of the penis against the vagina and genitalia sometimes causes the symptoms of these vaginal infections (stinging, burning) to intensify. Genital herpes sores are another frequent cause of pain during sex.

Vaginal Irritation

Many products contain irritants that can cause vaginal irritation, leading to discomfort or pain during vaginal sexual intercourse. These include:
•any contraceptive foams, creams, or jellies
•allergic reactions to condoms, diaphragms, or latex gloves
•vaginal deodorant sprays
•scented tampons
•deodorant soaps
•laundry detergents (in sensitive individuals)
•excessive vaginal douching

Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness often causes painful sexual intercourse. Normal vaginal lubrication is a given for most women; however, the vagina may be dry at certain times, making vaginal penetration painful. Lack of vaginal lubrication can be caused by several factors including:
•trying to achieve vaginal penetration too fast before enough stimulation has occurred to allow normal vaginal lubrication to take place
•feeling nervous or tense about the sexual experience; this can slow the release of vaginal lubrication
•using a condom without the addition of a vaginal lubricant, such as K-Y Jelly (Saliva is an acceptable for vaginal lubrication, but never use petroleum-based products, as they can deteriorate condoms and contribute to vaginal infections.)
•hormonal imbalance during menopause, the years preceding menopause, or following childbirth
(Vaginal lubrication methods listed above may help; menopausal women may benefit from a prescribed estrogen cream that's used vaginally.)

See also: Before You Buy Vaginal Lubricants

Vaginal Tightness

This occasionally happens when you feel tense, or are not fully relaxed when penetration occurs. Difficulty penetrating a tight vagina can happen even when vaginal lubrication is not a problem. The first few times you engage in sexual intercourse, the vagina may be tight due to an unstretched hymen, which can cause pain at the time of penetration.

Sometimes a more severe condition called vaginismus is responsible for vaginal tightness; women with vaginismus experience strong, involuntary muscle spasms of the vaginal muscles during sexual intercourse or vaginal penetration by any object, including fingers and tampons.

Pain of the Clitoris

The clitoris is the most sensitive part of the female genitalia. Gentle touching or rubbing of the clitoris is extremely pleasurable for some women, while it is unbearably painful for others. Clitoral pain may also occur due to poor hygiene; vaginal secretions may collect under the clitoral hood and may lead to pain if not properly washed away.

Pelvic Pain

Occasionally, a woman will experience pelvic pain upon deep, thrusting penetration. Many conditions may cause this pain, including:
•tears in the ligaments that support the uterus (causes include problems during childbirth, inappropriately performed abortion, previous violent sexual intercourse or rape)
•cervical, uterine, or tubal infections, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
•pelvic adhesions (often the result of previous pelvic surgery or PID)
•endometriosis
•ovarian cysts
•uterine fibroid tumors

Vulvodynia is a painful, and often hard to diagnose chronic condition that causes a burning and/or stinging sensation of the vulva and vagina.

Pain and / or discomfort are never part of normal sexual intercourse. If you experience pain during sex, don't be afraid to tell your partner who has no way of knowing that you're uncomfortable unless you talk about what you're feeling. Also make sure to see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause.
(about.com)

What sort of doctors have you seen, have you consulted your OB/GYN? Did something pre-date this pain? I really hope you can get to the bottom of this and get the diagnosis and treatment you need.

-CK

Sometimes I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast-Alice in Wonderland

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By charli0217 on Thu, 02-09-12, 21:10

I would like to add just one more suggestion to CK's incredible list of ideas. If you are going to see an OB/GYN, MAKE SURE HE OR SHE IS BOARD CERTIFIED IN BOTH OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. I don't know where you live, and it's really none of my business, but if you are not in a large metropolitan area, there's a pretty good chance that the OB/GYNs in your area ARE NOT certified. The certification process is relatively new (it's only around for maybe the last 20 years or so, and not even that long for OB/GYNs). The certification process requires several years of additional training as residents, and depending on the specialty, may also require a one-, two-, or three-year fellowship following the doctor's internship and residency. After the training, they have to sit for both a written and an oral exam which must both be passed before they are deemed to be BOARD CERTIFIED. And again, depending on the speciality, the certification is only for a few years during which the doctor must undergo addition training if they wish to remain certified.

Physicians who are BOARD CERTIFIED make a lot fewer mistakes, and will catch things that non-certified doctors will often miss. Insurance companies love them since they know they won't have to pay for a procedure a second time since it was screwed up the first time. That's why they will pay the BOARD CERTIFIED doctors higher fees.

Usually, you will find BOARD CERTIFIED physicians, including certified OB/GYNs, at hospitals that are part of university medical schools. Such medical centers tend to attract the better doctors, so that's where you'll get the best medical care usually. If you ask the doctor or their office staff if he or she is BOARD CERTIFIED, they will usually tell you. But you can also contact your local medical association and they can tell you who's certified and will accept your insurance coverage. On the doctor's business card, you should see their name, and then M.D. (or D.O. if they are an osteopathic physician), followed by the letters, F.A.C.O.B.G.Y.N. (Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology). These are the only doctors you ever want taking care of you or any of your other female family members.

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