It is estimated that 3 in 4 women will experience pain with sex at some point in their lives. It may be a one time event, a new onset with a life change such as postpartum or menopause, or present their entire sexual life. Even with that already high likelihood of someone experiencing painful sex, it is underreported due to the stigma behind discussing intercourse.
Pain with sex has a huge impact on women physically, mentally and emotionally.
There are many reasons someone could have pain with intercourse. Pelvic floor tension, decreased lubrication, scar tissue restriction, history of chemo or radiation to the abdominal and pelvic region, psychosocial components, and hip and pelvic mobility limitations are all causes that can be improved with pelvic floor physical therapy. Physical therapy can use manual techniques to improve scar tissue mobility and pelvic floor muscle tension as well as teaching you how to do this yourself with the use of a pelvic wand, dilators or vibrator. Self stretches and breathing techniques to reduce pelvic and hip tightness are often included as part of your home program as well.
One of the main things pelvic floor PT appointments will focus on when someone has pain with intercourse is pelvic floor coordination. We need to be able to contract our pelvic floor when we want to (to stop ourselves from urinating or having a bowel movement and to have an orgasm). However, at baseline, the pelvic floor should be relaxed. Many women hold tension in their pelvic floor without even realizing it which negatively contributes to symptoms of pain with sex.
You should not have to suffer in silence due to pain with intercourse. It is more common than you think and there are things you can do to take back control.
