“Painful intercourse can happen for reasons that range
from structural problems to psychological concerns.
Many people have painful intercourse at some point…”.¹

Umbrella

What may the Sexual Health and Painful Intercourse Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

Dyspareunia

What is dyspareunia?

DotS the definition of dyspareunia may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“The medical term for painful intercourse is dyspareunia (dis-puh-ROO-nee-uh). It is lasting or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after sex”.²

The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“‘Dyspareunia’ is the medical term used to describe pain before, during or after sex”.³

Symptoms

What may be symptoms of painful intercourse?

In Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia): Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the Mayo Clinic note:

Cause

What may cause painful intercourse?

The Mayo Clinic explain:

“Painful intercourse can happen for reasons that range from structural problems to psychological concerns. Many people have painful intercourse at some point in their lives”.⁵

In Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia): Symptoms & Causes – Causes the Mayo Clinic also elaborate on:

In Painful Sex (Dyspareunia): What Causes Painful Sex? (+ Image) the JH elaborate on some physical and psychological causes of dyspareunia.

Menopause

Is there an association between regular intercourse and menopause?

In Sexual Health: Frequently Asked Questions – What Changes Should I Expect After Menopause? the (United States) Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) elaborate on:

“Regular vaginal sexual activity is important for vaginal health after menopause because it stimulates blood flow, helps keep your vaginal muscles toned, and maintains your vagina’s length and stretchiness”.⁷

Improving Sexual Experience

What are some practical things to do to improve your sexual experience?

In Painful Sex (Dyspareunia): What You Can Do the JH explain:

Treatment

What are some treatment options for painful intercourse?

In Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia): Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Treatment options vary, depending on the cause of the pain”.

• Medications…
• Other treatments…
  • Desensitization therapy…
  • Counseling or sex therapy”.⁹

Health Care Provider

What if I have painful intercourse?

The JH explain:

“If you are experiencing painful sex, see your doctor. They will find and treat the cause or refer you to a specialist. It’s a good idea to seek help as soon as possible so you can resolve the issue and enjoy a healthy sex life”.¹⁰

The Mayo Clinic explain:

“If you have recurrent pain during sex, talk to your health care provider. Treating the problem can help your sex life, your emotional intimacy and your self-image”.¹¹

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Sexual Health and Painful Intercourse?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Sexual Health and Painful Intercourse?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

• FDA Expert Panel on Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women [17 July 2025]
  
• Painful Sex (Dyspareunia Fact Sheet) [September 2025]
• Painful Vaginal Sex (Dyspareunia) [17 June 2025]
• Top Menopause Questions Answered: Hormones, Bones, Sex & Sleep [18 June 2025]
  
• World GO Day [World Gynecologic Oncology Day, 20 September 2025]
  
• World Sexual Health Day [04 September 2025]
  

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31. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
    
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52. Painful Sexual Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
53. Painful Vaginal Sex (Dyspareunia)
54. Painful Vaginal Sex (Dyspareunia): Causes
55. Painful Vaginal Sex (Dyspareunia): Treatment and Management
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57. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    
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71. The Vulva & Vagina Explained: Sex Ed #2
    
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81. Vulva and Vagina
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83. Vulval and Vaginal Conditions
84. Vulval and Vaginal Pain
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87. Vulvovaginal Pain: What Is Vulvodynia and How Does It Relate To Vulvovaginal Pain?
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89. Webinars: Previous – The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
    
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95. When Sex Hurts – Podcast [Vaginismus and Vulvodynia]
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99. World GO Day [World Gynecologic Oncology Day, 20 September 2025]
    
100. World Sexual Health Day [04 September 2025]
     

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at: