Sexual intercourse - painful

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Causes of painful intercourse

For both men and women, pain can occur in the pelvic area during or soon after sexual intercourse. It can happen at any time during sex -- for example, at the time of penetration, erection, or ejaculation -- or after sexual activity.

Eventually, ongoing pain may cause a person to lose interest in any sexual activity.

The medical term for this is dyspareunia.

Painful sexual intercourse; Dyspareunia

• A diaphragm that does not fit properly
• Endometriosis
• Genital irritation from soaps, detergents, douches, or feminine hygiene products
• Hemorrhoids
• Herpes sores, genital warts, or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Intercourse too soon after surgery or childbirth
• Menopause
• Ovarian cysts
• Prostatitis -- inflammation of the prostate
• Reaction to the latex of a diaphragm or condom
• Sexual abuse or rape
• Urinary tract infections
• Use of certain medications
• Vaginal dryness or too little lubrication (for example, from not enough foreplay)
• Vaginal infection
• Vaginismus

Review Date: 09/11/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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