Sexual Health Problems & Issues for Women

When a woman suffers pain during intercourse this is called dyspareunia. There are numerous reasons why sex can become uncomfortable for a female, many of which can be addressed and treated by a physician or a therapist. Pain during intercourse is not normal. If you are experiencing discomfort during sex, there is probably a ready explanation. Sex can be wonderful but it can also be dangerous if it's not approached carefully. STD's can be acquired and do damage to your health. Unwanted pregnancies can occur. Medicines and age can impact your libido. Emotional issues sometimes get in the way of a satisfying sex life. If something is preventing you from enjoying sex, take into consideration any number of issues that may be creating difficulties for you and try to resolve them.

Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the endometrial tissue attacks the ovaries, the intestines, abdominal organs and/or the outside of the uterus, according to Emedicinehealth.com. When this happens, it causes chronic pelvic pain, not only during intercourse but prior to and during the menstrual period. Endometriosis is sometimes caused by the scar tissue that develops after surgery. According to the Mayo Clinic, dyspareunia is defined as recurring or persistent pain during intercourse. As many as 60 percent of all women experience pain associated with intercourse at one time or another. The pain can occur upon penetration or when her partner thrusts. The pain can be a burning or aching sensation. Vaginusmus is the involuntary cramping of the uterus during intercourse and this causes pain. According to Dr. David Delvin and psychotherapist Christine Webber on NetDoctor.co.uk, vaginusmus--the spasming of vaginal muscles--can be caused from fear of being hurt. Vestibulitis is an inexplicable burning sensation that occurs around the opening of the vagina and, like vaginusmus, causes pain and discomfort during sex, according to the Mayo Clinic. If the female is not lubricated sufficiently prior to entry, this will cause pain. Menopause causes a woman's estrogen levels to drop which results in dryness, which can cause discomfort. Some medicines lower libido, including antidepressants, birth control pills, blood pressure medication and antihistamines, which results in vaginal dryness, which leads to pain.

Everything changes over time including your feelings, your stamina, your interest, or lack of, in sex. When you have been with the same sexual partner for decades it's no longer as novel or as exciting as it once was but sex can become even better in spite of these factors and, no, familiarity does not necessarily breed contempt. When women go through menopause, hormone levels decline and their interest in sex may wane because the ovaries are no longer producing estrogen. In addition, men sometimes begin experiencing erectile dysfunction when they enter their middle years due to circulatory and neurological factors. Try to keep a sense of humor about it and discuss any problems that you may be encountering with your partner. Don't be embarrassed. This is part of life and a lot of people experience sexual difficulties and incompatibility at one time or another. Discuss it with your physician if you feel comfortable doing so.

If a woman has had an episiotomy following childbirth or has undergone a female circumcision, these "injuries" can result in pain during intercourse. A pelvic abnormality can also cause pain during sex. If a woman has a urinary tract infection, this can result in sexual discomfort. The skin condition eczema can also make sex unpleasant. Some women are allergic to birth control products, such as foam, gel or latex. If a diaphragm or cervical cap is not inserted properly, this will cause great discomfort during sex.

If a woman is having unprotected sex she can acquire gonorrhea, hepatitis B and C, chlamydia, syphilis, human papiloma virus (HPV) and/or herpes. If these conditions go undetected and untreated they can potentially cause reproductive problems or, in a worst-case scenario, death. Always use a barrier birth control, such as a condom, to reduce the risk of contracting an STD. Limit your partners. Get tested for STDs and request that your partner do the same. Ask your physician about getting the HPV vaccine.

If a birth control failure occurs, or none was used to begin with, and a woman fears that she is pregnant, she can resort to emergency contraception, which does not make a woman miscarry or abort. What is does is prevent fertilization or implantation of the egg, according to Aolhealth.com. Emergency contraception, which must be taken as soon as possible after intercourse, stops the ovary from releasing an egg. It is also believed to thin the uterine lining, which makes it more difficult for an egg to implant. A woman may experience side effects after taking emergency contraception, including vomiting and nausea. If vomiting occurs within two hours of taking the medicine this should be reported to your physician because you may need to repeat the dose. Some women report suffering from headaches, dizziness, abdominal pain, fatigue and breast tenderness after taking an emergency contraception.

If a woman is experiencing deep pain during intercourse, the Mayo Clinic explains that she may have certain conditions including endometriosis, which was explained earlier; pelvic inflammatory disease; ovarian cysts; hemorrhoids; cystitis; irritable bowel syndrome; uterine prolapse or uterine fibroids. It should also be noted that radiation and chemotherapy can cause changes to a woman's body and system, which can make sex painful. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection that spreads from the vagina through the neck of the cervix and to the internal reproductive organs, including the fallopian tubes, according to Nedoctor.co.uk. Fibroids are connective tissue growths that grow on the wall of the cervix and uterus.

If a woman is anxious, has a fear of intimacy or is depressed she may experience pain during intercourse. The pelvic floor muscles are very sensitive to stress, according to the Mayo Clinic. If a woman is highly stressed her pleasure in sex will be limited and may well be outright painful. Victims of sexual abuse sometimes experience sex during intercourse.