What Causes Pots and Pelvic Pain with Sex?

POTs and pelvic pain with sex are often referred to as dyspareunia. It is a repetitive pain in the genital region or inside the pelvis during sex. The pain can be extreme and happen before, during, or after sex.

Dyspareunia is more common in women than in men. It has numerous potential causes; however, it is treated efficiently.

Causes of Dyspareunia

Multiple circumstances can generate dyspareunia. For some ladies, it is an indication of a physical health issue. Other females might undergo suffering because of emotional factors.

Typical reasons for dyspareunia are:

• Vaginal dryness from menopause, childbirth, breastfeeding, medications, or little arousal before penetration
• Skin conditions that cause ulcers, cracks, itching, or burning
• Infections, like yeast or urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Injury or childbirth trauma, an accident, an episiotomy, a hysterectomy, or pelvic surgery
• Vulvodynia, or pain centered in the region of the vulva
• Vaginitis, or vaginal inflammation 
• Vaginismus, or a spontaneous tightening of the muscles of the vaginal wall
• Endometriosis
• Cystitis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Uterine fibroids
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Radiation and chemotherapy

Aspects that lessen sexual desire or influence an individual’s ability to become aroused can also provoke dyspareunia. These include:

• Stress can tighten the muscles of the pelvic floor
• Fear or shame to have sex
• Self-image or body problems
• Birth control pills
• Relationship problems
• Health conditions like cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disease
• History of sexual abuse or assault

Symptoms of Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia pain can vary from person to person. Pain may transpire:

• In the vagina, urethra, or bladder
• During penetration
• During or after sexual intercourse
• Deep in the pelvis region during intercourse
• After intercourse
• Only with specific partners or circumstances
• With the use of tampons
• With burning, itching, or aching
• With a feeling of piercing pain, similar to menstrual cramps

Risk for Dyspareunia

According to Marham, both men and women can suffer from dyspareunia, but the condition is more common in women. It is perhaps, the most widely recognized issue among postmenopausal women.

According to studies, around 75% of ladies have difficult intercourse at some point in their life. You are at high risk if:

• You take meds that cause vaginal dryness
• You have a viral or bacterial contamination
• You are postmenopausal

Diagnosis of Dyspareunia

A few tests help physicians recognize and analyze dyspareunia. Your PCP will begin by making an entire clinical and sexual history. Potential questions your PCP might ask include:

• When and where do you feel pain?
• Which sexual positions cause pain?
• Do other activities cause pain?
• Is your partner willing to help?
• Are there different circumstances that might be adding to your pain?

A pelvic review is standard in analysis. During this process, your primary care physician will take a look at the exterior and interior pelvic region for signs of:

• Dryness
• Inflammation or infection
• Anatomical problems
• Genital warts
• Scarring
• Abnormal masses
• Endometriosis
• Tenderness

The internal assessment will require a speculum, a device used to see the vagina during a Pap test. Your PCP may utilize a q-tip to apply slight strain to the various regions of the vagina. This will assist with deciding the area of the pain. Your doctor may also ask for further tests after the initial examination, including:

• Pelvic ultrasound
• Culture test for bacteria or yeast infection
• Urine test
• Allergy test
• counseling to assess emotional causes

Treatment of Dyspareunia

Its treatment depends on the reason for the condition. In the event that underlying contamination or sickness causes your pain, your primary care physician might treat it with:

• Antibiotics
• Antifungal medicines
• Topical or injectable corticosteroids

If medicine is compelling vaginal dryness, your doctor might change your prescription. Alternative drugs might restore lubrication and decrease pain.

Low estrogen levels cause dyspareunia in certain females. A remedy tablet, cream, or flexible ring can disseminate a little daily dose of estrogen to the vagina.

Moreover, an estrogen-free medicine called ospemifene (Osphena) behaves like estrogen on vaginal tissues. It is powerful in making the tissues thicker and less delicate. This can diminish the pain most women encounter with sex.

Home Care

These home cures can lessen dyspareunia side effects:

• Utilize water-dissolvable oils
• Have intercourse when you and your partner are ready
• Discuss your needs openly with your partner
• Pee before sex.
• Bathe before sex.
• Take an OTC pain killer before having sex.
• Apply an ice pack to the vulva to soothe the burning sensations after sexual intercourse.

Preventing Dyspareunia

There is no particular getaway for dyspareunia. However, you can practice the following to lessen the chance of pain during intercourse:

• After giving birth, wait a minimum of 6 weeks before continuing sex.
• Utilize a water-dissolvable lubricant when vaginal dryness is an issue.
• Practice good hygiene
• Get routine medical assistance
• Prevent STDs by utilizing condoms
• Encourage natural vaginal lubrication with enough foreplay 

Outlook

Avoiding sex might be useful until the underlying issue is treated. You and your partner can try different methods for intimacy until intercourse is comfortable.

It is always better to consult professionals for any health issues. Book an appointment with the best Gynecologist through Marham for more information.