Dyspareunia is painful intercourse. It can occur due to physical or psychological factors. It can be occasional or persistent. It can also occur after intercourse. The causes are as follows:

1) Infection:

  • Herpes
  • Bacterial vaginosis
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Yeast
  • Trichomonas
  • Sexually Transmitted Infection
  • Urinary Tract Infection

2) Endocrine

  • Menopause
  • Breastfeeding
  • Estrogen lowering medications

3) Trauma

4) Medications that reduce libido

  • Antipsychotic medications
  • Some antidepressants
  • Some heart medications and
  • antihypertensives

5) Various:

  • Fibroids
  • Pelvic floor spasms- vaginismus
  • Vulvitis
  • Atrophic vaginitis
  • Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia
  • Vulvar vestibulitis
  • Lichen sclerosus
  • Lichen planus
  • Endometriosis
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Interstitial Cystitis-
  • Painful Bladder Syndrome
  • Constipation
  • Trigger point
  • Ovarian or tubal mass
  • Chronic pelvic pain

After a diagnosis is made the treatment will be directed to the specific situation.