Do you have pain with penetration?

Many females/vagina havers get pain during penetration. There are a multitude of reasons for this pain:

• Trauma-sexual, physical abuse

• Anxiety

• Medical trauma

• Medical conditions such as IBS, Endometriosis, vaginal prolapse, and many more

• Lack of lubrication

• Skin disorders 

• Thinning of vaginal membranes that may be caused by aging, medications, breast feeding, and many more

• These are just a few reasons

What Can You Do About It?

If you are having vaginal pain see your doctor.  That needs to be the first thing on your list.  Your OB/GYN will do an exam to rule out physical issues that may need attention.  Whether your doctor finds an obvious physical reason or not, sex therapy can likely help you.  

Often people get anxious during sex.  This may be due to problems like what was listed above or anxiety alone. It only takes one “bad” or painful encounter to stir up anxiety with sex. 

Here are a few things we will work on in therapy to help the pain:

• Mindfulness in and out of the bedroom

• Relaxation techniques

• Sensate Touch

• How you think

• How your relationship in and out of the bedroom affects sex

• Messages about sex from parents, friends, religion, and society

• Expectations from you and your partner

• For the LGBTQIA+, “homophobia” (again, back to those messages you may have received all of your life.)

• The benefits of dilators 

Check with your therapist on their comfort and training they have with sex therapy.  Ask them if they work often with vaginal pain. It is important to go to a skilled therapist for issues with vaginal pain. For those physically in Ohio, feel free to text or email to set up an appointment.

Karen Baum MA, LPCC-S

419.277.4355

Karen@SavingGraceTC.com

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