Pain With Sex
Sexual health is an important part of our overall wellbeing. However, it is a topic that can be uncomfortable and embarrassing to discuss. Especially when everyone around you seems to be having such great sex, but that just isn’t your experience. At Kin Physio, we are committed to breathing down these barriers and help our clients improve their relationship with sex.
One important factor in sexual health is the condition of the (you guessed it) pelvic floor. These are a group of muscles that help to not only maintain continence and support our pelvic organ. But also crucial for comfortable and let’s be frank, good sex. In this blog we will discuss how our pelvic floor can impact our sexual health the common causes of painful sex, treatment options available and the importance of addressing these issues. Having worked in women’s health for years, please know there are things that can be done to help improve your relationship and comfort with sex.
What Can Cause Painful Sex?
Painful sex, also known as dyspareunia, is a common that we see in clinic. It can affect anyone, regardless of age and gender. It can result from a variety of issues, many are related to pelvic health. Some common causes include:
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: When the muscles of the pelvic floor are too tight, weak, or not coordinated properly, they can cause pain during intercourse. This can lead to conditions like vaginismus, where the vaginal muscles involuntarily contract, making penetration painful or even impossible.
Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, leading to inflammation, scarring, and pain during sex.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive organs that can cause pain and discomfort during sex.
Hormonal Changes: Menopause, postpartum periods, or conditions that affect hormone levels can lead to vaginal dryness and thinning of vaginal tissues, making sex painful.
Scarring or Trauma: Previous surgeries, childbirth injuries, or trauma to the pelvic area can result in scarring and subsequent pain during intercourse.
Nervous System Sensitivity: Our nerves can send painful signals to our body if it detects a threat to the tissues. This is a normal response that occurs in our bodies and helps to keep us safe. However sometimes it can be come sensitive and in which case a normal response can in turn send a pain response. Think touching your skin normally and touching your skin when it is sunburnt. This may be due to events such as repeated infection, aka recurring UTI’s, or it can even happen if we mentally detect fear. For instance, women are often told that their first sexual experiences are going to be painful. This already primes our body to protect itself and can in turn produce a painful output.
Infection: Any sudden change in symptoms in pain as well as other symptoms such as change in smell or discharge should first be investigated by your GP.
How Can Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Help?
At Kin Physio, we take a holistic approach to treating pelvic floor-related sexual dysfunction. Here’s how pelvic health physiotherapy can help improve your sexual wellness:
Assessment and Education: We start with a thorough assessment of your symptoms and medical history. Assessment will most likely start externally. Yes, we can assess internally, however, if we don’t address the external factors first, often we will end up right back where we started. Understanding how your body works is key to addressing any issues, so we’ll take the time to explain how the body and the pelvic floor contributes to sexual function.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training: If your pelvic floor muscles are weak, we’ll guide you through targeted exercises to strengthen them. Conversely, if they’re too tight, we’ll work on techniques to help you relax these muscles, reducing pain during intercourse. Research has shown that a strong pelvic floor can improve our quality and intensity of orgasm!
Manual Therapy: This may involve internal or external techniques to release tight muscles, improve blood flow, and reduce pain.
Home Self-Release: we can teach you ways to use dilators, wands or vibrators to help desensitise and relax the pelvic floor muscles.
Pain Management Strategies: We’ll provide you with tools and strategies to manage pain, including relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and advice on sexual positions that may be more comfortable. There are other tools such as the OhNut which help to prevent deep penetration and keep things comfortable.
Collaborating with Other Professionals
Sexual health is complex, and sometimes addressing it requires a multidisciplinary approach.
At Kin Physio, we recognize the importance of collaborating with other healthcare providers to offer comprehensive care. For clients experiencing sexual dysfunction, we may liaise with:
Sexologists: These specialists can provide counseling and therapy to address psychological factors contributing to painful sex, such as anxiety or past trauma.
Gynecologists: For conditions like endometriosis or hormonal imbalances, we may refer you to a gynecologist for medical management.
Naturopaths: These health professionals have a holistic understanding of the body and will be able to help with any gut or hormonal related dysfunction
Counsellors or Psychologists: Mental health professionals can help address the emotional and psychological aspects of sexual pain, offering support and coping strategies.
Addressing Painful Sex
We have helped many clients improve their relationship with sex. Painful sex is common, but it isn’t normal and there are things that you can do to help.
At Kin Physio, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our goal is to help you improve your relationship with sex and empowering you to reconnect with yourself.
If you’re experiencing painful sex, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can work towards improving your pelvic health and enhancing your overall sexual wellness.
