Is Sex Painful? It Doesn’t Have To Be…
Painful intercourse (dyspareunia), no matter what the root cause, can be harmful to a person physically and mentally. Having the ability to be sexually active is a natural desire. When pain becomes associated with sex we undergo physical and emotional changes that will continue to exacerbate the problem and cause a vicious cycle of desire associated with pain. That’s why Verity Physical Therapy & Wellness encourages patients to work with a psychologist who has experience with sex therapy and pain, in conjunction with receiving pelvic floor physical therapy.
What causes painful intercourse?
If you experienced tearing or had an episiotomy during labor you may have scar tissue that is not allowing your pelvic floor muscles to have full excursion. This tightness can lead to painful intercourse.
Painful intercourse can also be a result of recent sexual abuse or sexual abuse that occurred many years ago. Verity Physical Therapy is sensitive to any reason why a person my be experiencing painful intercourse and will proceed with treatment at the pace that the patient feels comfortable.
Athletes and frequent exercises can experience painful intercourse due to tight muscles. Exertion without proper relaxation techniques and stretching will cause trigger points and general hypertonicity of the muscles which leads to pain.
Stress can also cause trigger points and tight muscles. Some people carry their stress in their neck and upper backs and other people carry it in their pelvic floor muscles. Constant clenching of the pelvic floor muscles will lead to tightness and pain.
How can physical therapy help?
Just like with any symptom a patient comes to Verity Physical Therapy & Wellness for, treatment of a patient with symptoms of painful intercourse starts with an evaluation of the entire musculoskeletal system.
A musculoskeletal evaluation will include:
Muscle strength testing
Leg length discrepancy testing
Back and hip mobility testing
Assessment for trigger points throughout the pelvis and lower extremities
An internal exam of the pelvic floor muscles *if warranted and consent is given
Depending on the exam findings and the patient’s comfort level, a home exercise program will be advised on and a treatment plan will be developed to account for the patient’s goals and starting point.
Contact Verity Physical Therapy & Wellness today to set up a time for a free and confidential phone consultation!